Markel Corp has opened a new trade credit and political risk operation in Chicago, and one of its executives from New York will move there to lead it. QBE named a former Chubb executive to lead its operations in Malaysia.

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Markel Corporation has transferred an executive to Chicago from New York to lead its new trade credit and political risk operation.

In her new role, Christen Mizell will take on trade credit and political risk underwriting responsibility for the Midwestern states. She’ll focus on broadening Markel’s geographic footprint across what the insurer said is an increasingly important part of the country, with special focus on developing strategic broker relationships, supporting the existing client base and targeting new customer opportunities.

Mizell’s appointment follows Markel’s recent trade credit expansion into Canada. She joined Markel in 2013, initially serving as part of the trade credit team at Markel International in London.

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QBE named Chris Kurinsky as chief executive officer, QBE Insurance (Malaysia) Berhad.

Kurinsky will handle QBE’s business across Malaysia, driving profitable growth in the country and increase QBE’s share in specialty, commercial, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and personal lines of business, through strategic initiatives and partnerships.

Before QBE, Kurinsky was head of Sales and Direct Marketing, Consumer Lines, for Chubb Insurance China. Prior to that role, Kurinsky was the general manager of consumer lines for Chubb Malaysia and has extensive knowledge of the Malaysian insurance landscape. He has 20 years of experience in the insurance business, including working in various roles in mainland China, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong as well as the United States and Latin America.

Sources: Markel, QBE