Savita Mascarenhas has joined Markel International as underwriter for its credit operations in Dubai.

Savita will work alongside Leroy Almeida, senior underwriter and head of trade credit in the Middle East, and assistant underwriter Michael Gardner, to develop business in the region and grow Markel’s Dubai trade credit and contract frustration portfolio.

Mascarenhas’ previous role was at National General Insurance (in partnership with Coface Emirates) in Dubai, where she worked as an account representative, managing a client portfolio, working with the sales team and brokers across the region. Before that, Savita held an account executive position at Coface Emirates for over six years.

Ewa Rose, divisional managing director of trade credit, comments on the appointment: “This appointment reflects the wealth of growth opportunity that we are seeing in the Middle East and the extent of local interest we have had in our product offering.”

Markel International was awarded regulatory approval in Dubai in January this year.