Bryan Sanders will become President of Markel Wholesale at the end of the year, John Latham, who is stepping down on Dec. 31, Markel Corp. announced Thursday.

Sanders, who currently serves as Executive Vice President of Markel’s Wholesale division, joined Markel with the acquisition of Alterra Capital Holdings Limited.

Latham will transition to a consultative role, active with Markel, working out of Markel’s Plano, Texas regional office.

Sanders has 32 years of insurance industry experience and has held leadership positions with Alterra Specialty, Max Specialty, Hilb Rogal and Hobbs Company, and MacDuff Underwriters, Inc. He began his career with Aetna Casualty and Surety Company as an underwriter in 1981, and holds both CIC and ARM designations.

He will remain based in Markel’s home office in Richmond, Va., reporting to F. Michael Crowley, President and Co-Chief Operating Officer.

For Latham, the transition to consulting marks the next step in a long and distinguished career in insurance, Markel said, noting that he has had two tours of duty with Markel, from 1989 until 1991 and from 2002 until the present.

Latham is well known in the excess and surplus lines community, having held executive posts at Gen Re and Colony Insurance Group and as past president of one of the industry’s premier trade organizations, NAPSLO (National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices).

Latham was instrumental in the reorganization and expansion of Markel’s E&S business, the company said.

Source: Markel Corporation