Markel International, the international insurance business of Markel Group Inc., has appointed Maureen Tomlinson as head of artificial intelligence and announced the creation of an artificial intelligence support center.
Markel International is part of Markel Group’s global insurance business, providing specialized insurance solutions across multiple industries and geographies. The new roles and organizational initiatives reflect the company’s continued focus on strengthening internal capabilities and establishing a more structured approach to the use of artificial intelligence.
The Artificial Intelligence Support Center will support the development and responsible use of artificial intelligence across Markel International’s five business units. Housed within the International Portfolio Analytics team, the center combines strategic guidance with technical expertise.
It will provide advisory support, training, governance and coordination while developing AI applications designed to meet specific operational needs. The team is led by managing director Simon Cooper-Williams.
In addition to his current role as senior vice president of operations at Markel Canada, Tomlinson will take on the new role of head of artificial intelligence. In this role, she will help guide the organization’s AI strategy, working with senior leadership to identify areas where AI can add value and overseeing the implementation of related initiatives.
Based in Toronto, she will work with the International Portfolio Analytics team and colleagues in IT and Change Delivery to support operational improvements and digital development across the division, with the aim of rolling out tools to enhance broker and client service.
Carys Lawton-Bryce, COO of Markel International, commented: “At Markel, we believe that AI is a transformative technology with the potential to support our ambitious profitable growth goals. We also recognize that this potential can only be realized when AI is well governed, understood across the enterprise and deployed responsibly. Our newly launched support center will be at the core of how we leverage AI in a safe, scalable and business-led way, while ensuring responsible governance expectations ahead of regulation.”
Cooper-Williams added: “As an organization, we have made significant progress in the adoption of AI. The new AI Support Center is a big step in strengthening our operational foundation and continuing on our path to success. I am delighted to have Maureen, who has served as Senior Vice President of Canadian Operations since 2023, bring her leadership skills and deep business knowledge to serve as the team’s AI lead.
“Maureen’s appointment will also strengthen collaboration between all five international businesses operating in Toronto as we look to increase consistency and clarity in how AI is developed and deployed, providing teams with the tools and knowledge to deliver stronger results.”
Maureen Tomlinson brings extensive experience in operations, technology and organizational change to her new role as Head of Artificial Intelligence at Markel International.
She has served as senior vice president of operations for Markel Canada since 2023, where she oversees the company’s technology strategy and the implementation of digital tools that support policy administration and claims services. Her responsibilities include managing the technology platform, data functions, pricing systems, operational processes and facilities that support service delivery.
Prior to joining Markel, Tomlinson spent more than ten years at Verisk, including its Canadian operations (formerly Opta Information Intelligence). Since 2017, she has served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Professional Services, leading a team responsible for delivering advanced analytics solutions to actuarial and underwriting functions across Canada.
Earlier in her career at Verisk, she held several senior leadership positions, including Vice President of Analytics and R&D and Vice President of Production Solutions and Operations.
Prior to that, Tomlinson held leadership roles at Economical Insurance Group, where he served as Director of Personal Insurance Systems and Director of Business Services and Architecture.
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