Маркел Групп: История и развитие финансовой компании

US financial services company

Markel Group Inc. is a group of companies headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, and originally founded in 1930 as an insurance company.

Company founder Samuel A. Markel formed the Mutual Casualty Association and established the Mutual Casualty Company in Norfolk, Virginia. The company headquarters later moved to Richmond, Virginia. Sam Markel's four sons, Lewis, Irvin, Stanley, and Milton, joined the business in the 1930s, and Markel Service, Inc. was created. During this time, Markel was actively involved in efforts to develop safety and other standards aimed at legitimizing the growing bus and trucking industries. Markel also assisted in passing the National Motor Carrier Act of 1935. In 1986, the Markel Corporation was listed on the NASDAQ exchange, with an IPO offered at $8.33 per share. The company's trading was moved to the NYSE in 1997. Markel gained access to specialty international markets in 2000, when Terra Nova Holdings, Ltd. was acquired and the London office opened. Branch offices later opened in the UK, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Canada. With a "permanent capital" investing approach, Markel Ventures acquired AMF Bakery Systems in 2005 and continued to acquire other varied and scalable businesses. In 2015, Markel acquired Bermuda based CATCo, a specialist investment management business; and Markel Ventures announced a majority interest in CapTech. In 2023, Markel Corporation changed its name to Markel Group Inc.

Beginning in 1930, Markel established Markel Service, a separate company to handle direct and reinsurance of AF&C. In December 1990, Markel completed its acquisition of Shand. As part of the Shand acquisition, Markel Corp. also acquired American Underwriting Managers, an insurance underwriter in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, specializing in personal boat and motorcycle insurance. In March 2000, Markel Corp. completed the acquisition of Terra Nova (Bermuda) Holdings Ltd.

On October 30, 2009, Markel Ventures, Inc. acquired Panel Specialists, LLC., a manufacturer of panels, wall systems, casework, furniture, and countertops and other stone related products. On December 2, 2009, Markel Ventures, Inc. acquired a majority interest in Ellicott Dredge Enterprises, LLC, a company which manufactures dredging equipment for both domestic and international markets. On May 10, 2010, at the Markel Corp. Annual Meeting, it was reported there would be a new management structure approved by the Board. Alan I. Kirshner would remain chairman and chief executive officer while Anthony F. Markel and Steven A. Markel would still serve as vice chairman. Reporting to them would be a three member Office of the President. Thomas S. Gayner became president and chief investment officer, while Richard R. Whitt, III and F. Michael Crowley became president and co chief operating officers. On May 11, 2010, Markel Ventures, Inc. acquired Solbern, LLC, a manufacturer of food processing equipment for both the domestic and international markets. In July 2010, Markel Corp. acquired Aspen Holdings, Inc. of Omaha, Nebraska. In April 2011, Markel (UK) Limited launched Markel Direct, an online direct to customer distribution channel for specialist insurance. On July 14, 2011, Markel Corp. acquired PartnerMD, LLC, a company which provides concierge medicine, a type of membership health care service in which patients pay an annual fee for enhanced care that includes disease prevention, health maintenance, and around the clock access to a physician. On October 19, 2011, Markel Ventures, Inc. acquired a majority interest in WI Holdings, Inc. ("Weldship") which manufactures, leases and sells high pressure tube trailers, certified ISO containers and other gas and liquid containers to industrial gas manufacturers, independent distributors, specialty chemical companies and the United States Government for use in the domestic and international compressed gas, electronic gas and specialty chemical industries. On January 4, 2012, Markel Corp. completed the acquisition of Thompson Insurance Enterprises, a privately held program administrator underwriting multi line, industry focused insurance programs. In February 2012, Markel's Camp Insurance Program joined forces with CampDoc. com, an electronic health record system for camps, to help summer camps reduce risk and liability and to ensure the health and safety of kids while at camp. In June 2012, Markel Direct expanded product range into charity and community group risks. In October 2012, Markel purchased Essentia Insurance Company. On May 1, 2013, Markel Corporation completed its acquisition of Alterra Capital Holdings Limited. On August 16, 2013, Markel Ventures, Inc. acquired Eagle Construction of VA, a recognized leader in designing active adult communities and in building energy efficient homes through its signature E3 program. In January 2014, Markel Corp. acquired Abbey Protection plc, an integrated specialty insurance and consultancy group headquartered in London. On July 23, 2014, Markel Ventures, Inc. acquired majority interest in Cottrell, Inc., a global leader in the design, manufacture and delivery of over the road automobile transport equipment. On January 1, 2016, Thomas S. Gayner and Richard R. Whitt III began serving Markel as co CEOs. In June 2016, it was announced that Markel had joined the Fortune 500 for the first time. In 2017, Markel merged their Global and Wholesale divisions and created Markel Assurance. On May 1, 2017, Markel Corp. acquired SureTec Financial Corp., one of the largest privately owned surety companies in the US. On July 26, 2017, Markel Corp. announced their plans to acquire majority interest in Costa Farms and their related operating companies. Costa Farms is the largest producer of ornamental plants in the world. On November 1, 2017, Markel Corp. acquired State National Companies, Inc., a leading specialty provider of property and casualty insurance services. On June 4, 2018, Markel Corp. announced their partnership with Rosemont Investment Partners LLC, a specialist investor focusing on making investments in asset and wealth management companies. On August 31, 2018, Markel Corp. acquired Nephila Capital Ltd, a leading investment manager which specializes in reinsurance. Nephila Capital Ltd focuses on insurance linked securities, catastrophe bonds, insurance swaps, and weather derivatives. On September 17, 2018, Markel Corp. announced their plans to acquire majority interest in Brahmin, a creator of fashion leather handbags. On September 12, 2019, Markel announced their plans to acquire Caunce O'Hara & Company Limited, an Insurance Broker based in Manchester specialising in providing insurance to freelance and contract workers.

Markel Specialty provides property and casualty solutions for standard and hard to place risks to commercial customers and individuals for the insuring of: camps; child care centers; horses and farms; medical transportation, motorcycle, boat, and ATV owners; museums and fine art collections; pest control operators; schools; social service agencies; and small businesses.

Based in Bermuda, Markel CATCo managed retrocessional and traditional reinsurance portfolios on behalf of financial institutions, charities, pension funds, family offices, and investment funds. CATCo was placed into runoff in 2019 and has 10 or fewer open contracts as of mid 2023.

Based in Bermuda, Nephila Capital Ltd offers a broad range of investment products focusing on instruments such as insurance linked securities, catastrophe bonds, insurance swaps, and weather derivatives. As of mid 20203 the firm manages $7.2 billion.

State National Companies, Inc., provides property and casualty insurance services operating in two niche markets across the United States—Its Lender Services and Program Services segments typically as a fronting carrier.

Headquartered in London, Markel International writes business across the UK, Europe, Canada, Latin America, and Asia Pacific. Their product portfolio includes equine and livestock, marine and energy, professional liability, and trade credit coverage. They also write "specialty" coverage on a primary and reinsurance basis, including products for accident & health, casualty treaty reinsurance, contingency, property open market (including manufacturing risks), and property treaty reinsurance.

Markel Global Reinsurance provides Casualty and Specialty Reinsurance products to the broker market.