Canopius hired two outside people to become its latest group chief operating officer and group chief financial officer, respectively. Markel Corp. created a new position – chief global ceded reinsurance officer. GEICO said it has named an alumnus of its Emerging Leaders Program to a regional executive position.

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Laurie Davison is Canopius AG’s new group chief operating officer, and Nigel Meyer has been named group chief financial officer.

Previously, Davison was chief operating officer at Exari Group Inc., a software/technology company. She was also chief operating officer of Faraday Holdings Ltd. As well, Davison spent five years at Xchanging and seven at Rebus Insurance Solutions. Overall, she has 20 years’ experience in technology and insurance.

Meyer is expected to join Canopius later in the year. Currently, he is COO at Brit Insurance, where he also previously served as CFO. The 20-year veteran of the Lloyd’s and commercial insurance market joined Brit in 2011, where he served as CFO through 2012 and became COO in 2013. Previously, Meyer held senior finance positions at UK insurers Aviva and RSA. He began his career at Arthur Andersen in London, and then held roles at British Aerospace and Intel Corp.

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Markel Corp. appointed Julia Chu as its chief global ceded reinsurance officer, a newly created position.

Chu is tasked with heading up ceded re functions across Markel’s product lines and international insurance operations, which includes 71 offices in 21 countries. She will work with executive management to strategically deploy ceded reinsurance in support of Markel’s business objectives.

Previously, Chu was managing director, strategic advisory, at Guy Carpenter. An actuary by training, Chu has also held positions at Aon Re, Milliman USA and Farmers Insurance Group.

Chu reports to Chief Underwriting Officer Robin Russo and is based in Markel’s corporate headquarters in Richmond, Va.

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GEICO said it has named an alumnus of its Emerging Leaders Program to a regional executive position.

Gary McKenzie is GEICO’s new regional vice president of its Macon, Ga., Southeast operations, which manages policies for customers in seven states. Previously, he was assistant vice president of underwriting at GEICO’s regional office in Fredericksburg, Va. He is also the first alumnus of the Emerging Leaders Program to be named a regional vice president.

McKenzie started working for GEICO as a member of its 2004 ELP class at the company’s San Diego regional office. After rotating through several claims, sales and service positions, he was promoted to claims service manager in 2005.

McKenzie has risen up the ranks since then, serving in positions with increasing responsibilities in cities including Fredericksburg, Buffalo, N.Y., and Indianapolis. He became assistant vice president in 2014.

Sources: Canopius, Markel, GEICO