Markel Insurance has named Sucheng Chang as its new managing director for Asia-Pacific, effective 14 July.  

In this role, Chang will lead Markel International’s Asia-Pacific business from its regional hub in Singapore, with oversight of operations in Australia, China, Dubai, Hong Kong, India and Malaysia.  

His focus will be on driving the strategic direction of the business, aiming to maximise profitable growth and deliver enhanced service to clients and brokers. 

The Asia-Pacific arm of Markel International has expanded following the company’s Accelerate Asia-Pacific strategy.  

Since 2019, the gross written premium (GWP) has surged by an estimated 600%, underwriting profitability has improved and the staff headcount in the region has grown by around 300%. 

Chang will replace Christian Stobbs, who has announced his departure from the Asia-Pacific region but will remain with Markel in a different role.  

Chang was latterly CEO, Hong Kong, at Aon and before that spent more than 13 years at Liberty Mutual in various positions including chief distribution officer for global retail markets East and CEO of Liberty Insurance Singapore. 

Chang added: “Markel has made huge inroads in Asia-Pacific and today is a well-respected insurance partner to clients and trading partners in the region, renowned for its focus on exceptional service and customer outcomes.  

“I therefore couldn’t be more excited to lead the next phase of the expansion of Markel’s Asia-Pacific business, building on the progress that has been made to expand our presence even further and take advantage of the opportunities available in the US$300bn GWP Asia-Pacific insurance market.” 

Markel International president Andrew McMellin said: “Sucheng is a highly strategic and well-respected leader within the Asia-Pacific market, and I am thrilled that he is joining Markel to lead our regional business in the next phase of its development. The Accelerate Asia Pacific strategy is a cornerstone of the profitable growth agenda at Markel International.”  

Recently, Markel named Lee Mooney as UK regional business leader, following Neil Galjaard’s decision to step down from his managing director role.