Former Markel Group CEO Kirshner, 88, Dies
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Former Markel Group CEO Alan Kirshner, died on March 17, said the company. He was 88 years old.
The Richmond, Virginia-based insurer said today that Kirshner, who was chairman and CEO of Markel Group from 1986 through 2015, was instrumental in “transforming the company from a privately held regional insurer to a family of businesses with global reach.”
Kirshner joined Markel in 1960. In November 2019, the specialty insurer announced Kirshner’s retirement in May 2020.
“It’s hard to put into words the legacy and impact of Alan Kirshner,” said CEO Tom Gayner, in a statement. “He was as savvy and hard-working a leader as anyone I ever met, but it was his commitment to people that really set him apart. Alan was by nature a builder and dedicated his life to building a company that could serve others for generations to come. In doing so, he taught us that there is nothing more important in business and life than treating people with kindness and respect. It’s a lesson and legacy that we’ll never forget.”
Kirshner was the lead author of a cultural creed that the company calls the Markel Style. The statement, which stands unchanged since being written in 1986, captures the values that define Markel Group’s culture — including their zealous pursuit of excellence, sense of humor, honesty, disdain for bureaucracy, and commitment to communities. The latter of which Kirshner reinforced with his own community investments, including starting the Faison School for autistic children and the Partnership for the Future program to help students in underserved communities attend college.
“Words alone cannot express my gratitude for having been his friend and partner for the last 64 years,” said Vice Chairman Tony Markel. “He was the consummate leader … kind, caring, generous, respectful, and above all a great listener. As the author of the Markel Style, his legacy is assured endurance.”
Chairman of the Board Steve Markel added, “I worked side-by-side with Alan for nearly five decades. He was a visionary, challenging leadership and the organization to embrace change, innovate, create, and strive for a better way. Through the Markel Style, his spirit and principles will live forever within Markel Group.”
Markel became a public company in 1986 — the same year Kirshner took over as chairman and CEO. He became executive chairman in 2016 and then chairman emeritus in 2020.
