Markel Insurance has named Jonathan Handen as its head of trade credit and political risk for the Americas, ahead of the retirement of Arjan van de Wall.

Baltimore-based Handen moves from Atradius, where he had been since 1998, most recently as vice-president of credit specialties, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Markel said Handen is tasked with “driving underwriting performance, strategic growth and portfolio development” across the Americas and reports to head of trade credit Phil Amlot.

“While we speak to the Americas as a single region, its risk landscape is anything but homogenous, covering a vast range of geographies, industries and political networks,” Amlot said.

“Jon’s nuanced understanding of geopolitical volatility and the commercial pressures facing corporates and institutions will be crucial for our clients, brokers and trading partners as we position our team as a lead market for complex risks.”

Van de Wall is retiring after more than 30 years in insurance and credit management, including stints at Atradius and Allianz Trade. He had been head of trade credit and political risk for the Americas at Markel since late 2020.

He will stay on in a part-time capacity until January next year.

“I must also extend my great appreciation to Arjan van de Wall for his decade of committed service, during which time he’s been instrumental in investing in the strength, expertise and long-term development of the trade credit and political risk team,” Amlot said.