Profile
“Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
In specialty insurance, few roles carry as much weight as building a business from the ground up. Rory Morison has done exactly that, leading the launch of Markel International in Australia and growing it into a profitable operation across four offices in a relatively short period.
As managing director of Markel International in Australia, Morison has shaped the business around a defined operating model, bringing together a senior, diverse team, aligning them around a shared direction and giving them the room to deliver.
Morison’s career reflects a willingness to back opportunities as they emerge. After entering the industry through Catlin, he accepted a secondment to Sydney to help establish Catlin Australia, a move that proved formative. It gave him the experience and relationships that later led to a permanent move to Melbourne and, ultimately, to his current role.
That background informs a leadership style grounded in a strong sense of direction, decisiveness and a measured approach to decision-making. In a market facing greater competition and pressure on premiums and margins, Morison has positioned Markel as a distinct entrant.
He has treated those conditions as an opening, staying selective in partnerships and disciplined in product development, with attention to offerings that deliver long-term value.
“I think, like most people, I’ve been concentrating on running my own race,” Morison says. “Being new to the Australian market has given us a great opportunity to be very clear about who we want to work with, and which products genuinely offer long-term value.”
Accessibility is central to how the business operates. As it has grown, Morison has kept decision-makers close to brokers and partners, ensuring underwriting, service and strategy remain tied to market needs. This is reinforced by an emphasis on empowerment, with teams encouraged to take ownership and act with confidence.
He points to his ability to turn ideas into something practical and workable as a defining strength, supported by a curiosity that drives constant refinement. This has helped build a business that can respond quickly to opportunities while staying anchored in clearly defined priorities and guiding principles.
Over the past 12 months, he has prioritised consistency and long-term positioning, working to build a platform that can sustain growth and offer a stable proposition to partners.
That thinking carries through into his day-to-day leadership. Morison places weight on listening, asking questions and drawing on different perspectives, particularly when dealing with complex issues. His role is to advocate for the team and ensure the business continues to evolve in a way that strengthens its offering.
Recognition on Insurance Business’ Hot List 2026 reflects the impact of that work. For Morison, the achievement is closely tied to the team that has established Markel’s presence in Australia and the trust placed in them to build the business.
“The real reward has been watching the team grow, succeed and put Markel firmly on the map here,” he says.
The result is a business defined by discipline and empowerment, with a leadership approach that has established Markel quickly in a competitive market while maintaining a clear sense of direction.
Level 1/832 Southport Nerang Rd, Nerang, QLD 4211
0424 159 276
kate.middleton@arcprojects.com.au
au.linkedin.com/in/rory-morison-b66b2b2
Rory Morison
Managing Director, Australia
Markel
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Milestones
“The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
2010-2015
2016-2019
2019–2021
2022-2023
2023–Present
Head of Casualty Australia at Catlin
2010-2015
Head of Casualty APAC at XL Catlin
2016-2019
Head of Casualty APAC at AXA XL
2019–
2021
Head of Longtail lines Australia at AXA XL
2022-2023
Managing Director, Australia at Markel
2023–
Present
Milestones
Kuhn says, “I would say my career has been one of more of chance and opportunities than a set plan. And it’s interesting how one decision has a ripple effect on putting you on a different path than maybe where you thought you would be.”
He highlights his spell at Endurance as his biggest professional achievement to date.
“It took some time, but we took them from really being viewed as a reinsurance company to being viewed as a global insurance company.”
It’s this type of innovative attitude that is powering Westfield Specialty forward so successfully.
Kuhn explains, “Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio.”
Part of this has seen the firm acquire the existing Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 1200 in February 2023. It is also Kuhn’s ingenuity that has allowed Westfield Specialty to outperform expectations in challenging market conditions.
“I would say it’s been the understanding that there is a limited window of time. We're in this unique market, we need to be fast and decisive to take advantage of market opportunities before the market begins to move away,” he comments. “Additionally, I'd like to say we move with a lot of speed, but we do it in a thoughtful and methodical approach, not just to be the first.”
However, it has been an intricate process to ensure his team are onboard with his vision. Kuhn places importance of explaining his targets and the blueprint to achieve them.
He adds, “The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns. This way, everything gets thoroughly discussed and resolved.”
With almost four decades in the industry, Kuhn has developed methods that have consistently delivered. It is why he has been tasked with so many leadership roles and he intends to maintain his focus on creating more success at Westfield Specialty.
“I think I am and have always tried to be methodical. I look at the big picture yet stay focused on executing the different opportunities or plans that I have in front of me. I don’t get emotional or make emotional decisions.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
Kuhn joined Westfield Specialty in the firm’s first year (2021) and has established the company’s presence in the specialty market. By the end of 2023, the firm is expected to surpass $1.3 billion in GWP after writing $300 million in 2021.
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