Leadership at Markel Group: What Makes It All Work
The Forum at Modlin Center for the Arts, University of Richmond — 2025 Markel Group Reunion.
Markel Group is not one business. It is a family of businesses — each led by people who operate with a high degree of independence, each accountable for their own performance, and each expected to live the values of the Markel Style.
Understanding how that model actually works — in practice, at scale, across industries as different as specialty insurance and car haulers — is one of the most instructive things a Markel investor can do.
This year's leadership panel at The Forum is designed to show you exactly that.
Three leaders. Three very different businesses. One common thread.
After 15 years at Markel International, Simon Wilson took over as CEO of Markel Insurance just over a year ago and has moved with urgency. He has led a comprehensive reorganization of Markel Insurance — simplifying its structure, creating 14 distinct business units each led by a single P&L owner, and shifting resources from the corporate center to the businesses themselves. Simon's stated goal is clear: solidifying Markel's reputation as one of the preeminent insurance companies in the world. Hear him describe the journey, the decisions made, and where Markel Insurance goes from here.
Ross DeBolt leads ParkLand, an owner and operator of manufactured home communities that strives to provide residents with a square deal. Learn how Ross has built upon the company's culture — The Parkland Way — to improve communities for residents, strengthen customer retention, enhance the work experience for ParkLand associates, and drive strong financial performance.
Kyle Norton is President of Cottrell, the car hauler manufacturer that is one of Markel Group's most distinctive businesses. As President, Kyle works alongside Danny Zink, one of the most respected and long-tenured CEOs in the Markel Group family. Hear what Kyle learned about leadership during his experiences as a Division I athlete, a Captain in the U.S. Army, an entrepreneur, and CEO of a private equity-backed business — what drew him to Markel Group, and what the experience has been like over the last few years.
Moderated by Andrew Crowley, EVP, Markel Group, with Simon Wilson · Ross DeBolt · Kyle Norton
The Leadership Panel runs 9:05–9:50 a.m. and follows the CEO Conversation at 8:00 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast available. You do not need to be a Markel Group shareholder to attend — but you do need to be registered.
Date · Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Time · 9:05 – 9:50 a.m.
Location · Modlin Center for the Arts, University of Richmond
Doors open at 7:30 a.m. · Breakfast provided · Registration required