People Moves: Multiple Moves at Markel Specialty as Sanders to Retire by 2024 End

Markel said Bryan Sanders, president of its Markel Specialty division, plans to retire by December 31, 2024.

Sanders, who joined Markel in 2013 as part of the Alterra Capital Holdings, Ltd. acquisition, has more than 42 years in the insurance industry.

Alex Martin, currently Markel’s chief financial officer, will become president of Markel Specialty, reporting to Bob Cox, president, global insurance operations. Brian Costanzo, currently senior vice president and chief accounting officer for Markel Group Inc., will become chief financial officer of Markel, reporting to Jeremy Noble, president, Markel.

Effective December 1, 2023, Sanders will transition to the role of chairman, Markel Specialty.

“Bryan Sanders is retiring after a highly successful insurance career spanning four-plus decades, during which he has led several major initiatives that have transformed our US and Bermuda operations to best meet the needs of our clients,” said Jeremy Noble. “Thanks to Bryan’s leadership and the extensive industry relationships he has built, and with a strong team in place led by Alex Martin, Markel Specialty is well positioned to continue to build on our solid brand and reputation, as well as deliver against our long-term profitable growth ambitions.”

Before becoming president of Markel Specialty in 2020, Sanders served as president of Markel Wholesale from 2014 to 2017, and President of Markel Assurance from 2018 to 2020.

“Serving as president of Markel Specialty has been an honor, and I am committed to working with Alex and the Markel Specialty leadership team to achieve a seamless transition as we continue to execute on our strategic priorities and plans,” Sanders said. “I look forward to helping the team build on our progress so far, including our strong industry relationships and our outstanding positioning in the marketplace.”

Martin has been with Markel for 17 years and has held management positions in operations, underwriting, business development, strategy and finance. Costanzo has been with Markel for 14 years. He has held a variety of leadership roles within finance and has played a key role in leading strategic efforts within finance in regard to operational efficiency, actuarial transformation, technology and data.

Additionally within Markel Specialty, Guenter Kryszon has been named chief underwriting officer and Ryan Oosterheert has been named chief operations officer. Both will report to Martin.

Kryszon has been with Markel since 2019 and brings extensive experience driving growth and profitability through initiatives relating to portfolio optimization, climate change and environmental, social and governance matters. Oosterheert, who has been with Markel since 2019, brings more than 20 years of industry experience across underwriting and product management, strategy and operations.

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