Markel Corporation today announced that Richard R. Whitt, III, currently executive vice president and CAO of Markel International will become Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Markel Corporation in May 2005.

Markel International, Markel Corporation’s London based subsidiary also announced that Jeremy Brazil, director of reinsurance and managing director of the Professional Liability division will be promoted to director of London underwriting and William Stovin, director special projects at Markel International will be promoted to director of administration.  Both promotions will be effective from March 31st 2005. 
 
Gerry Albanese, President and COO of Markel International said: “I would like to congratulate Richie on his promotion and thank him for his contribution to Markel International, I look forward to working with him in his Markel Corporation role.  I am also delighted to announce the promotion and expansion of responsibilities for William and Jeremy, both of whom have  made significant and lasting contributions to Markel International’s success.”

Ends

For further information:

Tamara Cutting, Markel International, 020 7953 6736

Notes to editors:

1. Richie Whitt graduated from Virginia Tech and started his career as a Senior Auditor with KPMG.  He joined Markel Corporation in 1991 in the corporate finance department and was promoted to Controller in 1994.  In 2001 he became Vice President, Treasurer and Controller.  In 2003, Richie joined Markel International in London as Chief Administrative Officer.

2. William Stovin graduated from Exeter University in 1983 and started his career as a professional indemnity and reinsurance broker before moving to underwriting with the Sturge Group in 1987, becoming Deputy Underwriter for one of the Sturge managed Syndicates.  William joined Octavian in 1997 and helped established a new syndicate for the group.  Following Markel’s 2000 acquisition of the Terra Nova Group, William assumed roles of increasing responsibility, most recently serving as Director of Special Projects where he was responsible for the resolution of legacy Terra Nova Group issues.

3. Jeremy Brazil graduated from Reading University in 1983 and joined the then Willis Faber & Dumas. He moved into underwriting with Camomile Underwriting Agencies (a Willis subsidiary) in 1989 as Deputy Casualty Underwriter. In 1994, He was appointed Casualty Direct and Facultative Class Underwriter for Syndicate 1069. Jeremy joined Octavian in 1997 and helped establish a new syndicate for the group.  Following Markel’s 2000 acquisition of the Terra Nova Group, Jeremy assumed roles of increasing responsibility, most recently serving as Managing Director for the Professional Liability Division.

4. Markel International Limited is a specialty property and casualty insurer. Based in London and comprising the international operations of Markel Corporation, it wrote gross premiums in 2003 of $ 738.4 million. It has five operating divisions writing business either through Markel Syndicate 3000 or through Markel International Insurance Company Limited.

5. Markel Corporation markets and underwrites specialty insurance products and programs for a variety of niche markets.  In each of these markets, the Company seeks to provide quality products and excellent customer service so that it can be a market leader.  The financial goals of the Company are to earn consistent underwriting profits and superior investment returns to build shareholder value.