Michael Heaton promoted to President, Markel Ventures (1/04/16)

Michael Heaton promoted to President, Markel Ventures (1/04/16)

RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Markel Ventures, a wholly owned subsidiary of Markel Corporation (NYSE: MKL), announced today that Michael Heaton, Chief Operating Officer of Markel Ventures, has been promoted to President, Markel Ventures. He will also retain his COO title.

Markel Ventures owns interests in various industrial and services businesses that operate outside of the specialty insurance marketplace. These businesses are separate and distinct from Markel's insurance operations.

Heaton joined Markel in 2006 and held several positions managing real estate and special projects. In January 2012, he was named Managing Director for Markel Ventures, and he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer for Markel Ventures in September 2013. He also sits on the board of several Markel Ventures companies.

"Since 2008, Mike has played an integral role in managing the growth and development of Markel Ventures," said Thomas S. Gayner, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Markel Corporation. "With his leadership, we have broadened our overall portfolio through acquisitions and expanded the individual Markel Ventures companies."

Heaton is based out of Markel Corporation's headquarters in Richmond, Virginia, and reports to Gayner.

About Markel Ventures
Markel Ventures, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Markel Corporation. Markel Ventures makes strategic and generally controlling investments in businesses that operate outside of the specialty insurance marketplace. The primary goal of Markel Ventures is to support the long-term financial performance of Markel Corporation through the Markel Ventures companies. Learn more at markelventures.com.

About Markel Corporation
Markel Corporation is a diverse financial holding company serving a variety of niche markets. The Company's principal business markets and underwrites specialty insurance products. In each of the Company's businesses, it seeks to provide quality products and excellent customer service so that it can be a market leader. The financial goals of the Company are to earn consistent underwriting and operating profits and superior investment returns to build shareholder value. Visit Markel Corporation on the web at markelcorp.com.

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