Markel hires global cyber underwriting executive from Allianz

Specialty insurer Markel Corporation has hired Kelly Castriotta from Allianz as senior director, global cyber underwriting.

Castriotta most recently served as head of cyber underwriting and product development for financial lines at Allianz, where she led non-affirmative cyber mapping and implementation in North America. She also previously held underwriting and claims positions with Arch Insurance and worked for CNA Insurance as a claims attorney.

In her new role, Castriotta will work closely with Markel's leaders to further strengthen cyber underwriting best practices and standards across all of the company's insurance divisions. She will also be the lead underwriting project manager for Markel's US non-affirmative cyber project and provide guidance on product development and enterprise risk management initiatives.

Based in Chicago, she will report to Kara Owens, managing director, global cyber underwriting executive.

"Kelly is a recognised thought leader for cyber insurance, and we're excited to welcome her to Markel. She has more than a decade of experience spanning product innovation, underwriting management, in-house claims consulting, and coverage litigation," said Owens. "Kelly's expertise will enhance our cyber underwriting capabilities, aid new product development across our divisions, and help to assist us in enterprise risk management."