Markel Promotes Thompson to President of Markel Specialty

Greg Thompson has assumed new responsibilities as president of Markel Specialty, a division of the Virginia-based specialty insurer Markel Corp.

Thompson has been in the insurance business for 30 years. He began his career in the brokerage industry and in 1979 formed Thompson Insurance Enterprises (Thomco) with his father. He led Thomco for 32 years, growing it from a small wholesale operation to a large program administrator. Markel acquired Thomco on Jan. 1, 2012.

Mike Crowley, Markel’s president and co-chief operating officer, said that with Thompson taking on the role of president of Markel Specialty, Bob Heaphey has assumed responsibilities at Thomco as managing executive.

Heaphey has 25 years of experience in the industry. He joined Thomco in 1998 as controller and was later promoted to the position of chief operating officer. For the past two years, he has served as CEO of Thomco and will now oversee all aspects of the Thomco business as Thompson assumes his new responsibilities.

Markel Specialty underwrites specialty insurance for niche markets and admitted and non-admitted property/casualty coverages through its program administrator facility.

Thomco manages 20 national programs including medical transportation, senior living, child care centers, fitness clubs, pest control operators, tanning salons, and inflatable rental operators, among others.