Markel Insurance, Cowbell, Pikl, and Pen have announced senior appointments and promotions spanning energy, cyber and the short-term rental insurance market.
Markel Insurance, the insurance operation within Markel Group Inc., has promoted Ben House (pictured top, left) to director for energy & power, effective immediately.
In this role, House will oversee Markel’s renewable energy and power portfolio across the organisation’s international division, while continuing as head of Markel’s upstream, midstream and downstream energy team. Markel said the move brings these areas under a single energy & power team to support a more holistic underwriting approach.
“I’m delighted to step into my new position as director of energy & power at Markel International,” said House.
House is based in London and will report to Rohan Davies, managing director for London market. Davies said the power sector is “expected to increase by 25% by 2030,” adding that greater geopolitical risks, including trade wars and cyberattacks, threaten critical infrastructure. Davies said combining energy and power will allow Markel to underwrite portfolios more holistically and provide a simpler and more coordinated service for brokers and clients.
Cowbell has appointed Simon Hughes (pictured top, centre) as chief commercial officer. Hughes previously served as SVP, Global Distribution & GM, UK, and will oversee Cowbell’s global commercial strategy, including distribution, partnerships, international expansion and market development.
Cowbell said Hughes played a central role in launching and leading its UK operations and in developing its distribution ecosystem.
“As we move into this next cycle, I’m eager to help drive our global commercial strategy,” Hughes said,
Trent Cooksley, co-founder and chief operating officer, said Hughes has been “instrumental in shaping Cowbell’s international presence.”
Cowbell said it partners with more than 35,000 producers globally.
Pikl has appointed Jemma Clarke (pictured top, right) as chief commercial officer who is responsible for driving UK commercial growth as the business scales partnerships with property management companies and expands adoption of its cancellation product and other offerings.
Clarke joins from Forge Holiday Group, where she served as general counsel, and previously worked in US and UK law firms advising on M&A and private equity.
Louise Birritteri, Pikl CEO and founder, said Clarke is “uniquely and strategically positioned” to support expansion. Clarke said she is “thrilled” to join Pikl as it continues to develop insurance-enabled business models for the short-term rental market.
Pen Underwriting has appointed Darren Glover (pictured immediately above) as senior development underwriter for Northern Ireland. Glover joins Pen’s commercial risk managed team, expanding its underwriting presence into Northern Ireland. He will report to Gordon Williams, regional underwriting manager for Scotland & Northern Ireland, and work with Barry McCormick, business development manager for Scotland & Northern Ireland.
