Markel Insurance, the insurance business unit of Markel Group Inc., a specialty insurance company that provides commercial insurance products and services in multiple areas, has announced the appointment of Marc Copland as Vice President and Head of Property Product Line, effective immediately.
In the newly created role, Copeland will oversee the strategic direction and continued development of Markel’s Canadian real estate portfolio.
He will work with the underwriting and technology teams to enhance the company’s real estate offerings, enhance its professional capabilities and improve the broker experience of transacting with the company.
The position will also focus on increasing the use of artificial intelligence, data and analytics, and underwriting technology to support faster, more informed underwriting decisions while allowing experts to devote more time to complex risks that require technical expertise. The appointment is designed to support the continued expansion of its real estate business in the Canadian market.
Markel Insurance said the creation of the position is part of its broader investment in professional leadership as the company continues to grow its business across Canada. The company said its approach is guided by Markle’s style, which emphasizes collaboration, technical expertise and delivering long-term value to customers and business partners. Property has been identified as a key area of strategic growth by Markel Insurance and Copland is expected to help enhance the business’s capabilities and market presence.
“Marc is an excellent addition to our Canadian leadership team,” added Cliff Laidlaw, Senior Vice President, Underwriting, Markel Canada. “His technical depth in complex property risks and track record of building and leading high-performing underwriting teams provides us with the expertise we need as we strengthen our focus on property and continue to build Markel Canada into a leading specialty insurer.”
Copland joins the company with 20 years of experience in the insurance industry. He has 16 years of experience underwriting technically complex property risks in the primary insurance and reinsurance markets and 7 years in underwriting leadership roles.
Prior to joining Markel Insurance, Copland served as Definity Complex Middle Market Manager, where he built new product lines and developed their underwriting framework, policy wording, operating processes, portfolio and team.
Earlier in his career, he worked for Munich Re Canada for nearly 10 years, underwriting large risk management accounts in the mining, energy, heavy manufacturing, real estate, power generation and construction industries. Copland holds an Honors Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and holds the Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) and Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designations.
