Markel Insurance, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc., has created the role of head of Korea and Japan and appointed John Bang (pictured) to the position with immediate effect. His responsibilities include developing the wholesale portfolio, establishing dedicated desks for both markets, and managing relationships with local partners and cedents. The role is part of Markel International’s strategy to increase its presence in Asia-Pacific specialty lines, with Korea and Japan identified as focus markets for further expansion. Bang joins from Zurich Insurance Company Ltd, where he spent more than 10 years in regional leadership positions, most recently as head of country desks, Asia & Global Relationship Leader. His background includes marine underwriting and business development in Korea and Japan.
Sucheng Chang, managing director, Asia-Pacific, said: “We’re delighted to welcome John to Markel in this important leadership role. Japan and Korea are sophisticated, high‑growth specialty insurance markets, and John’s deep local knowledge, language skills, and trusted relationships make him exceptionally well‑suited to lead our expansion. John’s appointment underscores our commitment to investing in local leadership and expertise as we continue to deepen our presence in strategic markets across Asia-Pacific and put Markel on the map. We expect meaningful, profitable growth across multiple lines of business under his leadership.”
Bang said he aims to work with colleagues to further develop the business in North Asia. “I’m thrilled to be joining Markel at such a pivotal time in the company's development in Asia Pacific. Markel has established itself as a trusted insurance partner, known for its underwriting excellence and commitment to customer service. I look forward to working with the team to build on this strong foundation and capture the major opportunities available in the Korean and Japanese markets,” he said.
Separately, Markel Insurance has added two underwriters to its professional and financial risks (PFR) and cyber team in Greater China, based in Hong Kong. The company has appointed Johnny Zhang as senior underwriter and Jon Tam as underwriter, both reporting to April Tam, who leads the Hong Kong PFR and cyber team. Their remit includes financial lines and technology-related risks for clients in Hong Kong and the wider Greater China region.
Zhang will focus on management liability and the development of new products, including offerings aimed at AI-related exposures and other emerging risks. Tam will manage the commercial professional indemnity portfolio and contribute to Markel’s geographic expansion into North Asia. Before joining Markel, Zhang was financial lines underwriting manager at Ping An with a focus on management liability, and previously worked at AIG Financial Lines. Tam most recently was senior underwriting manager at Starr, responsible for the financial lines portfolio in Hong Kong, and has held underwriting and broking positions at Marsh and Chubb.
On the appointments, April Tam said: “I’m delighted to welcome Johnny and Jon to our team. Their expertise and fresh perspectives will drive innovation and allow us to remain agile as we profitably grow our business. With their arrival, we’re even better equipped to deliver tailored solutions to clients across Hong Kong and the Greater China region.” Commenting on technology-driven risks in the region, Chelsea Jiang, managing director of Greater China, said: “Greater China’s technology boom is rewriting the risk map and so, at Markel, we’re moving fast to stay ahead of it. Johnny and Jon’s expertise will help us deliver specialist cover for the region’s evolving risks. Their deep knowledge of management liability, professional indemnity, and emerging areas like AI and cyber means they’re exactly the kind of forward-thinking underwriters we need to serve this rapidly changing market.”
Willis, a WTW business, has appointed Michelle Ng as head of Risk & Analytics, Pacific, effective Feb. 16. She will lead the Pacific risk and analytics (R&A) team, serving clients in Australia, New Zealand, and the broader Pacific region. Ng succeeds Matt Frost, who has retired. Her role covers the delivery of risk analytics, actuarial services, and modelling support for areas such as risk financing, retention structures, and capital allocation. Ng joins Willis from another international broker, where she was head of analytics, Pacific and led actuarial and analytics teams working with corporate clients and senior management. She has also held analytics and actuarial roles at a major Australian financial services group with insurance and banking operations in Australia and New Zealand, focusing on commercial portfolio analytics and pricing for commercial and personal lines.
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James Baum, head of Pacific at Willis, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Michelle to the company. She is a qualified Actuary and brings both deep technical skill and a commercial mindset, a combination that will bring tremendous value to our clients and business. Her expertise in actuarial science, analytics, and advisory, together with her strong industry leadership, will play a pivotal role as we continue to strengthen our specialty capabilities across the Pacific.” Charles Barder, head of Risk & Analytics, International, at Willis, added: “Michelle’s appointment reflects our commitment to expanding our global R&A capabilities with exceptional talent. Her experience will help elevate our advisory offering, deepen our analytical rigor, and enhance the way we support clients in making smarter, data-driven decisions.”
Gallagher has appointed Hassan Ashtari as senior executive officer (SEO) of its joint venture with Artex in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), which focuses on alternative risk management solutions and captive structures in the Middle East. In his SEO role, Ashtari will oversee the ADGM-based operation, including business development, key client relationships, and team management. He will continue as chief client officer for Gallagher’s Middle East and Africa specialty and facultative reinsurance broking business, a position he has held since 2024. Ashtari has around 20 years of experience in designing and placing local, regional, and international insurance and reinsurance programs for multinational clients across multiple industry sectors in the Middle East.
Gallagher and Artex have worked together since 2024 to provide alternative risk and captive management services in the region. Artex, a wholly owned Gallagher subsidiary, offers captive and insurance management, program and facility management, insurance-linked securities, and structured transaction administration. Gallagher also runs regional retail broking through its joint venture with ACE Gallagher and employs more than 100 specialty, facultative, and treaty risk professionals across lines including aerospace, construction, marine, energy, power, renewables, crisis management, and financial lines.
Commenting on his expanded remit, Ashtari said: “The expansion of my role to work across both teams is a fantastic opportunity and will ensure clients can access the best possible insurance solutions for their needs, be that a captive or more traditional insurance products and services. With many complex multinational firms operating in the region our team can provide holistic advice and solutions to any range of risks that firms need to manage.” Paul Eaton, CEO Artex EMEA, added: “I’m delighted that Hassan has taken on this role in the local market, which reflects both Artex and Gallagher’s commitment to enhancing our client offering for alternative risk solutions whilst strengthening our presence in the region. We believe there is real appetite and strong growth opportunities for our professional range of services, spanning the full cycle of the captive life from feasibility to management, and run off.”
