Markel Insurance appoints Bhavik Desai as Managing Director

In this role, Desai will oversee underwriting strategy, portfolio performance, and relationships with brokers and clients. He will help drive disciplined underwriting, technical expertise and long term growth across the PFR and Cyber business.

Desai succeeds David Sawyer, who will remain with the company until his planned retirement at the end of 2026.

Since joining Markel in 2013, Desai has held several senior underwriting roles, including Head of Professional Indemnity and Director of Professional Indemnity, Media & Entertainment. He has broad experience in Professional Indemnity, Media & Entertainment, and other specialty insurance lines.

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Before joining Markel, Desai worked at AIG, where he held underwriting leadership positions overseeing Professional Indemnity business in the London market and the UK & Ireland Construction Professional Indemnity portfolio.

At Markel, he has played a key role in growing the Professional Indemnity and Media portfolios, with a strong focus on underwriting quality, portfolio management, broker relationships, and consistent renewals.

As Managing Director of PFR & Cyber, Desai will focus on improving portfolio performance, developing underwriting talent, and strengthening Markel’s business in professional, financial, and cyber risks. He will also work closely with teams across underwriting, claims, actuarial, distribution, and operations to support data-driven decision-making and modern underwriting practices.

Rohan Davies, Managing Director – London Market, commented: "Bhavik is a highly respected underwriting leader with deep technical expertise, strong broker relationships and a clear understanding of the markets in which our PFR & Cyber teams operate. His appointment provides leadership continuity for the division and supports our focus on disciplined underwriting, portfolio performance and sustainable growth.

"PFR & Cyber operate in areas where risk profiles and client needs continue to evolve quickly. Bhavik's experience, judgement and collaborative leadership style make him well placed to lead the division as we continue to develop our proposition for brokers and clients."

Desai added: "I'm proud to take on this role and to lead a division with such strong specialist expertise, and market relationships. PFR & Cyber brings together areas that are increasingly important to our brokers and clients, and our focus will remain on disciplined underwriting, responsive service and long-term portfolio performance.

"We have talented people across the division and strong relationships across the market. My priority is to build on those foundations, support our teams and continue developing a business that delivers consistent value for brokers, clients and Markel."

About Markel Insurance  

Markel Insurance is a global specialty insurer and the insurance business of Markel Group Inc. The company provides specialized insurance solutions for complex risks by combining deep industry expertise with a broad range of underwriting capabilities. Markel Insurance is known for its strong focus on building long-term relationships with employees, brokers, and clients, helping it deliver tailored insurance solutions around the world.

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