LONDON, March 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Markel Insurance, the insurance operation within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL), today announced the appointment of Phil Jones as Chief Information Officer (CIO), International, effective immediately.
In his new role, Jones will define and deliver the technology vision for Markel International, ensuring the organisation's systems, data and digital capabilities continue to evolve in line with its strategic focus on operational excellence. Working in close partnership with international leadership, Global Security Services and IT teams across Markel Group, he will focus on strengthening resilience, enhancing service quality and accelerating innovation across Markel's international operations.
Jones will also champion closer collaboration between technology and business teams, supporting Markel's ambition to unlock greater value from its data, modernise its technology foundations and empower teams across its five regional businesses through reliable, high‑performing systems. His appointment underscores Markel's continued investment in exceptional leadership to support scalable growth and strengthen capabilities across its diverse international markets.
Jones will be based in London and report to Carys Lawton-Bryce, Chief Operations Officer at Markel International.
On the appointment, Lawton-Bryce commented: "As the evolving risk landscape and competitive market continues to exert pressure on operations, it is critical that our technology is world-class.
"I'm delighted to welcome Phil to Markel in this important new role. His leadership will be instrumental as we continue to enhance our operational performance and provide brokers and clients with best-in-class service – today and in the future. Phil's extensive experience and deep expertise will help us take our technological capabilities to the next level across our international operations, and I look forward to working closely with him."
Jones joins Markel with extensive CIO and executive technology leadership experience spanning specialty insurance, financial services and government. Most recently, he served as Global Chief Information Officer at Aspen Insurance, where he led IT strategy, cloud transformation, cyber‑defence initiatives and a global technology workforce, delivering significant performance, security and cost‑efficiency improvements. His previous roles include Executive Director of Service Delivery and Operations at the UK Ministry of Defence, overseeing mission‑critical global IT services, and senior technology leadership positions at Prudential UK, Lloyds Banking Group and ATOS Consulting.
About Markel Insurance
We are Markel Insurance, a leading global specialty insurer with a truly people-first approach. As the insurance operations within the Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), we leverage a broad array of capabilities and expertise to create intelligent solutions for the most complex specialty insurance needs. However, it is our people – and the deep, valued relationships they develop with colleagues, brokers and clients – that differentiates us worldwide.
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Markel appoints Phil Jones as Chief Information Officer, International
Thousands of Performances and Events Presented in More Than 190 Countries on All Continents
CHICAGO, May 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The 15th annual International Jazz Day came to a rousing conclusion with a historic All-Star Global Concert in the International Jazz Day 2026 Global Host City of Chicago.
This highly anticipated concert at Chicago's iconic Lyric Opera House featured over 40 world-renowned artists, including: Kris Bowers, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Till Brönner, Terri Lyne Carrington, James Carter, Emmet Cohen, Jacob Collier, Buddy Guy, Kurt Elling, Béla Fleck, Herbie Hancock, Christian McBride, Marcus Miller, Gregory Porter, Dianne Reeves and many more.
The 2026 All-Star Global Concert opened with a vibrant, four-part salute to the Host City of Chicago, with each performance reflecting the city's deep musical legacy. Dee Dee Bridgewater and Gregory Porter set the tone with an electrifying duet on "The In-Crowd," honoring Chicago jazz legend Ramsey Lewis. They were followed by Chicago native Herbie Hancock, who reimagined his crossover hit "Watermelon Man" by seamlessly blending its 1960s Blue Note groove with its later jazz-funk incarnation. The Chicago celebration continued with blues legend Buddy Guy—a defining figure of the Chicago blues tradition—joined by his protégé Christone "Kingfish" Ingram for a powerful take on his GRAMMY-winning "Damn Right, I've Got the Blues." Jacob Collier closed the opening tribute with a heartfelt homage to Quincy Jones, whose career was shaped in Chicago, featuring "She's Out of My Life" and "Soul Bossa Nova."
The evening continued with a stirring, choir-backed rendition of "Seems I'm Never Tired of Loving You" from Lizz Wright, followed by the innovative jazz hip-hop fusion segment "Funny Rabbit" led by Robert Glasper on piano, featuring Burniss "Boom Bishop" Travis II, Justin Tyson and DJ Jahi Sundance. Next came a radiant performance of "Antes de Ir" by Brazil's Bia Ferreira. Living up to its title, "Touch and Go," Béla Fleck delivered a nimble, exploratory performance that moved fluidly across bluegrass, jazz fusion, and classical influences. Dianne Reeves brought luminous depth to "In a Sentimental Mood," capturing the elegance of Duke Ellington's writing, while Kurt Elling delivered a soulful, swinging interpretation of "Dat Dere," a Bobby Timmons' composition associated with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.
As the evening drew to a close, a series of iconic jazz works took center stage. Gonzalo Rubalcaba led a dynamic performance of "Caravan", followed by Gershwin's "Summertime", presented with a nod to the transformative interpretation by John Coltrane, which redefined the piece as a vehicle for intense improvisation. Marcus Miller then paid tribute to his former bandleader Miles Davis with a powerful rendition of "Tutu". International Jazz Day 2026 concluded with its traditional finale, "Imagine," the enduring anthem of peace by John Lennon—bringing the audience to its feet in a celebration of unity through music.
International Jazz Day was celebrated in 196 countries and all 50 U.S. States, through performances, education programs, and community service initiatives.
In the Host City of Chicago International Jazz Day was co-chaired by Quintin Primo III, Michael Reschke and Andrew Pritzker with major support by Capri Capital, GCM Grosvenor, GRoW @ Annenberg Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, The Prime Group, and TAWANI Foundation. United, the International Jazz Day Global Airline Partner, provided air transportation and additional support for artists and educators.
About International Jazz Day: In 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. International Jazz Day is chaired and led by the UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany and legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, who serves as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue. The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz is the lead nonprofit charged with planning, promoting and producing this annual celebration. International Jazz Day has become a global movement reaching more than a billion people annually through performances, education programs, community outreach initiatives, radio, television and streaming, along with electronic, print and social media.
Learn more about International Jazz Day at www.jazzday.com and www.unesco.org/jazzday.
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International Jazz Day 2026 Worldwide Celebration Concludes with Thrilling All-Star Global Concert from Chicago
International Jazz Day 2026 Worldwide Celebration Concludes with Thrilling All-Star Global Concert from Chicago
