Markel Insurance has appointed Clarice Francis as operations manager for its international war and terrorism division. Based in London, Francis will be responsible for driving operational efficiency across the global team.
In her new role, she will collaborate with management, claims, actuarial, and product development teams to analyse and audit services, with the aim of strengthening underwriting policies and procedures for clients and brokers. She will report directly to Ed Winter, director of terrorism at Markel International, while also supporting regional heads in Asia, the UK, and the US. Her remit includes enhancing broker engagement, improving risk assessment, and streamlining underwriting processes.
“Clarice will be pivotal in not only strengthening the team’s ability to manage complex risks more effectively, but also in developing new efficiencies within our global team and deepening broker relationships to bring innovative ideas and projects to fruition,” said Winter. “This will ensure we continue delivering tailored solutions for our clients as a best-in-class insurer in the political violence market, particularly during times of geopolitical instability.”
Francis joins Markel from Hiscox, where she specialised in operations management and project delivery. Over her career at Hiscox, she advanced through several positions, most recently serving as operations team manager for four years. Earlier, she completed a six-month law internship with Kennedys in Spain.
Her appointment comes amid heightened demand for terrorism and political violence insurance, driven in part by regulatory and geopolitical developments. In the UK, the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025—known as “Martyn’s Law”—took effect in April, requiring venues and event organisers to adopt measures against terrorist threats. This has fuelled a growing demand for coverage as organisations work to comply with the new requirements.
Globally, political risk and violence remain among the leading concerns for corporations in 2025. The Allianz Risk Barometer highlights civil unrest as a major threat, while in the UK, 85% of business leaders report that political risk is directly impacting profitability. At the same time, the UK insurance market is experiencing a softening trend, with Q2 2025 seeing rate reductions of 10% to 20% across multiple lines as competition intensifies, according to Aon.
