In this episode, Meg traveled to Markel Corp.’s Glen Allen, Va., headquarters to speak with co-CEO Richie Whitt, who’s announced he’s retiring from Markel in March after 31 years with the company.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Richie shares his concerns about the explosion of new MGA/MGUs entering the Excess & Surplus lines market, and how the insurance industry could do a better job promoting the good work it does.
Bio: Richie Whitt
Richard “Richie” R. Whitt is Co-Chief Executive Officer of Markel Corporation, a diverse financial holding company including insurance, reinsurance, and investment operations around the world. Markel is listed on the Fortune 500 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, with 61 offices in 16 countries.
Richie is responsible for worldwide insurance and reinsurance operations, insurance-linked securities fund managers, and the company’s shared services teams. Richie has been a central figure in Markel’s major transactions over the past 20 years.
Richie began his career with KPMG in the audit practice and joined Markel in 1991 in the finance area. Richie has held many leadership roles throughout his career at Markel including: Controller; Vice President, Treasurer and Controller; Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Markel’s international operations; Chief Financial Officer; and Co-Chief Operating Officer.
Richie is a graduate of Virginia Tech, where he earned a degree in accounting and information systems. He also previously held the CPA and CPCU designations. Richie serves on the board of overseers for St. John’s University School of Risk Management, Insurance, and Actuarial Science; and the board of trustees for the Virginia Tech Foundation.
Editor's Bio: Meg Green
Meg Green, our managing editor, is a former daily newspaper journalist who joined Insider Engage in 2021 after a storied 23-year career with AM Best. Since joining AM Best in 1998, she has covered nearly every facet of the insurance industry - and is still learning every day!
After two decades in print, Meg spent the last decade focusing on video story telling and enjoys speaking to the brightest minds in the industry about the opportunities ahead. Meg was thrilled to join the Insurance Insider family to take the helm of the newly launched Insider Engage - think of it as the multimedia Sunday magazine to the Insider's breaking news.
