Markel expands in Hong Kong with new office, underwriting hires

Markel currently provides directors’ and officers’ liability, professional indemnity, hull, marine liability and war cover for insureds in Hong Kong. Its expanded premises in the city will allow its growing workforce to address the specific needs for customers in the region.

As part of the expansion, Markel has hired Crysten Fok as a specialist financial lines underwriter, focusing on the Hong Kong and North Asia markets. She reports to Gordon Lam, senior underwriter and responsible officer for Markel Hong Kong. Fok was most recently a senior underwriter with Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty.

The moves follow the hiring of Zita Fok as specialist marine underwriter in July.

“As an international financial and trading hub, Hong Kong remains an important market for insurance in Asia,” said Christian Stobbs, managing director of Markel International in Asia. “We are encouraged by the growth of our business in recent years and are pleased to be increasing our local underwriting presence.

“With our new office, we hope to continue to attract strong underwriting talent to build the best specialist insurer in the region. Working in partnership with our offices across Asia-Pacific, we’re proud of the growth of our underwriting capability in the region and look forward to continuing to provide the best of our on-the-ground expertise to customers, wherever they are based.”