LONDON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Markel, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL), today announced that Grant Smith is to head up its Transport and Logistics team, with immediate effect.

In his expanded role, Smith will be responsible for defining the underwriting strategy for the Transport and Logistics team, centered on driving sustainable, profitable growth. Smith will also be tasked with expanding market share, driving product development and further establishing Markel as a market leader in transport and logistics.

Smith takes on his new role in addition to his responsibilities as Director of Marine and Energy Liabilities – a role he was appointed to in August 2024. He will continue to report to Tom Hillier, Managing Director, International Specialty, at Markel.

Hillier commented: “Transport and logistics companies currently face a heightened risk environment, due to global economic contraction, heightened geopolitical tensions and increasing technological and regulatory risks. At times such as these, it’s crucial that companies have the right insurance partner who can help ensure they have comprehensive insurance cover in place that meets their evolving needs.

“I’m therefore delighted that Grant will be leading our Transport and Logistics team. Grant has already made a significant impact and contribution to Markel since joining earlier this year. His leadership, knowledge and experience of underwriting these classes of business will be hugely important as we continue to partner with clients and brokers and help them to navigate this evolving risk landscape.”

Smith has extensive knowledge of the insurance market, having spent more than 17 years of his career working in various underwriting and leadership positions across these classes of business. Prior to joining Markel in August 2024, he worked as Portfolio Manager Specialty at QBE European Operations – a role he held since 2014. Before joining QBE as a Marine and Energy Liability Underwriter in 2011, Smith had spent five years working in various underwriting roles across marine and aviation at Travelers.

About Markel
We are Markel, a leading global specialty insurer with a truly people-first approach. As the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), we operate the Markel Specialty, Markel International, and Markel Global Reinsurance divisions, as well as State National, our portfolio protection and program services operations, and Nephila, our insurance-linked securities operations. Our broad array of capabilities and expertise allow us to create intelligent solutions for the most complex risk management needs. However, it is our people—and the deep, valued relationships they develop with colleagues, brokers and clients—that differentiates us worldwide.

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NFP’s first acquisition of an Ireland-based HR services business will strengthen the company’s portfolio of human capital solutions

DUBLIN, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — NFP, an Aon company and a leading international brokerage and consulting firm, today announced its acquisition of The HR Suite, a leading human resources consultancy and training business with offices across Ireland. Caroline Reidy, managing director and founder of The HR Suite, will lead NFP’s specialist HR division in Ireland and report to Colm Power, managing director, NFP in Ireland.

“We’re excited to welcome Caroline and The HR Suite team to NFP,” said Matt Pawley, president, NFP in Europe. “The team’s undeniable knowledge and expertise, combined with our shared core values and dedication to enhancing client outcomes, provide a solid foundation for many future successes. I can’t think of a better person or group to spearhead our HR division in Ireland and can’t wait to collaborate on delivering exceptional solutions and capabilities to clients.”

Established in 2009, The HR Suite offers HR system solutions and HR outsourcing services to help large employers, multinational companies and small and medium-sized enterprises improve and streamline their human resources functions. As the firm’s founder, Caroline Reidy has become a recognised, well-respected author and speaker in the HR space and beyond.

“We’re thrilled to join NFP in Ireland and create more value for our employees and clients,” said Reidy. “Our service and commitment to delivering exceptional HR offerings remain the same, and with NFP’s global solutions and resources we can now offer more comprehensive solutions and support to clients in Ireland, including outplacement, employee benefits, pension, and health and safety.”

About NFP
NFP, an Aon company, is an organisation of consultative advisors and problem solvers helping companies and individuals address their most significant risk, workforce, wealth management and retirement challenges. We are more than 7,700 colleagues in the UK, Ireland, US, Puerto Rico and Canada serving a diversity of clients, industries and communities. Our global capabilities, specialised expertise and customised solutions span commercial business insurance, employee benefits, people consultancy, health and safety, and individual financial planning. Together, we put people first, prioritise partnerships and continuously advance a culture we’re proud of. Visit www.nfpireland.ie to learn more.

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HAMILTON, Bermuda, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — HashKey Group (“HashKey”), a leading end-to-end digital asset financial services group in Asia, today announced that HashKey Europe Limited (“HEL”) a member of the HashKey Group has obtained Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) registration approval from the Central Bank of Ireland. This is HashKey Group’s first VASP license fully compliant with the EU’s Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD5), underscoring its commitment to building a global Web3 ecosystem within a highly compliant regulatory framework.

The VASP registration allows HashKey Europe Limited to provide a wide range of regulated services, including:

• Exchange between virtual assets and fiat currencies
• Exchange between one or more forms of virtual assets
• Transfer of virtual assets, that is to say, conduct a transaction on behalf of another person that moves a virtual asset from one virtual asset addressor account to another
• Custodian wallet services

Ben El-Baz, Managing Director at HashKey Global, said: “Securing VASP registration from the Central Bank of Ireland represents a significant milestone in HashKey’s global exchange business expansion. It underscores our steadfast commitment to compliance, security, and building trust. We are excited to establish a new presence in the EU, bringing us one step closer to aligning with MiCA regulations and advancing our mission to drive responsible innovation in the digital asset space.”

Prior to securing VASP approval in Ireland, HashKey Group had obtained licenses in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and Bermuda, positioning itself as a trusted global leader in the virtual asset industry. HashKey Europe Limited is registered and supervised by the Central Bank of Ireland for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism purposes only.

HashKey Group remains dedicated to supporting the sustainable growth of the virtual economy by ensuring compliance with international regulations, delivering value-added services, and fostering trust within the ecosystem.

About HashKey Group

HashKey Group is a leading digital asset financial services group in Asia with global operations in regions such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and Bermuda. Since 2018, HashKey Group has built a global Web3 ecosystem within a high-compliance regulatory framework, including HashKey Exchange, a licensed virtual asset exchange regulated by the Hong Kong SFC; HashKey Global, the global flagship digital asset exchange; HashKey Capital, a global asset manager investing exclusively in blockchain technology and digital assets; HashKey OTC, the compliant over-the-counter (OTC) trading arm of HashKey Group, HashKey Cloud, a leading provider of global Web3 infrastructure; and HashKey Tokenisation, a tokenisation services provider.

HashKey Group also possesses a rich on-chain ecosystem, having developed the Ethereum Layer 2, HashKey Chain, and has listed the HashKey platform token HSK. HashKey Group is committed to driving the mass application of blockchain technology, aiming to provide trustworthy and accessible digital asset services to one billion global users.

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