Matthew Cannock has been appointed managing director of insurance firm Markel International’s Asia Pacific operations.

Cannock has been with Markel since 2012, joining as a marine underwriter. He replaces Peter Phillips who has been in the role for six years. Cannock has worked in Singapore’s Lloyd’s market since 2005, before which he was regional marine underwriting manager for RSA.

He will be responsible for managing Markel’s offices in Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.

He will report to William Stovin, COO and president of Markel, who says: “We are delighted that Matthew will be leading the next phase of our development in the important markets in Asia Pacific. He has a deep understanding of the markets in Asia as well as the global perspective necessary in this internationally important region. He is well known regionally, with a strong network of contacts which will be important to the continued growth of our business. Our thanks and best wishes go to Peter Phillips who has played such a vital role in establishing the foundations for our Asia Pacific business on which Matthew will now build.”