McGrath to head Markel’s Fine Art North America team

Markel, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc., today announced the appointment of Kyle McGrath as Head of Fine Art – North America, with immediate effect.

Based in New York, McGrath will be responsible for leading Markel’s Fine Art business in North America, and driving the strategic, profitable expansion of this class of business.

She will also be tasked with developing the regional underwriting strategy, product offering and regional footprint, working closely with Markel’s Fine Art underwriting team in the US.

McGrath will be reporting to Dan McCarthy, Director of Marine at Markel in London, who commented: “The global fine art insurance market is expanding, driven largely by an increase in the individual and institutional collector base in the US.

“Meanwhile, rising art valuations and a changing risk landscape for collectors make having the right risk and insurance partner more important than ever before. I’m therefore delighted to welcome Kyle to Markel. Her knowledge and experience of working in the fine art insurance market will be of enormous benefit to our existing clients as we support them in meeting their specific risk(s) and insurance needs.”

He added: “At the same time, we see significant potential for profitable growth in this space. I’m confident that Kyle has the right leadership qualities to develop our regional Fine Art team and insurance offering and enhance our reputation as we look to become a leading Fine Art and Specie insurer in North America.

Markel’s new Head of Fine Art NA, brings with her more than 12 years of experience of working in the insurance industry, working across underwriting, business strategy and broking.

She joins from Private Client Select (formerly AIG Private Client Group), where she spent three years as Vice President – Head of Fine Art and Collections for the insurer’s private client group, working out of New York.

Prior to that, McGrath spent seven years at AXA XL, working in various senior roles in the organisation’s North American Fine Art and Specie team and global chief underwriting office.