Markel has confirmed that Jessica Cardoso has left the company after the elimination of the head of office role in Bermuda as part of ongoing changes to its speciality insurance structure.

The insurer said the role held by Ms Cardoso, a Bermudian, was made redundant effective November 18 “as part of our ongoing efforts to streamline Bermuda’s structure and align with our long-term growth strategy”.

The company added that it was “deeply appreciative of Jessica’s contributions to Markel”.

Ms Cardoso was senior director, head of Bermuda Errors and Omissions, when she was given the added responsibility as head of office in November 2022.

She had nearly 20 years of experience underwriting in such sectors as E&O, cyber, employment practices, and wage and hour liability, both on a primary and excess basis.

The latest change comes against the backdrop of a broader restructuring announced earlier this year, following the appointment of Simon Wilson as chief executive of Markel Insurance in March.

At the time, Markel said it would reorganise its US and Bermuda insurance operations — previously known as Markel Speciality — into two divisions: US wholesale and speciality; and programmes and solutions.

The restructuring was framed as part of a long-term strategy to simplify the business, reduce complexity and give local teams greater accountability in serving customers.

Under the revised structure, Bermuda now sits within the programmes and solutions division, alongside businesses such as surety, workers’ compensation and personal lines.

Markel has said the division was intended to support increased focus and investment in specialised platforms that have delivered consistent results over time.

“The best way to profitably grow a specialised and diversified business like ours is to equip and empower our local experts to serve the needs of the customers that they know best,” Mr Wilson said in April. “These changes are an initial step to ensure that we have the divisional structure and leaders in place to do just that.”

Markel had previously said the changes were designed to position the insurance business for sustainable growth, with Bermuda continuing to play a role within the group’s speciality and solutions-focused operations.