Head of Data, MI, Governance and Oversight

Markel Service; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Markel UK is seeking a strategic Head of Data, MI, Governance & Oversight to shape and lead a newly created function. You will report to the COO and partner with the UK Executive Team to connect data, analytics, governance, and customer-outcome oversight to strategic decisions.

This is a senior leadership role focused on influencing senior stakeholders, translating data into business insight, and aligning data governance with enterprise strategy across the UK market.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in data, MI, analytics, performance, or governance.
• Strong insurance sector knowledge preferred (commercial or personal lines).
• Proven ability to create insight-led reporting and executive narratives.

Responsibilities

• Lead UK Data & MI Strategy and deliver a clear vision for data across the UK business.
• Provide governance, reporting, and customer-outcome oversight to executives.
• Strengthen governance frameworks and drive data-driven decision making.
• Lead a multi-disciplinary team and influence senior stakeholders across functions.

Skills

Leadership

Data leadership

MI & Analytics

Governance

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Job description

Head of Data, MI, Governance & Oversight

Flexible UK Location | Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham or London

Hybrid Working (3 Days Per Week in Office)

Permanent | Leadership Role

Shape the Future of Data-Led Decision Making at Markel UK !

This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a newly created function at the heart of Markel UK's transformation journey.

We're looking for an exceptional leader to head up our Data, MI, Governance & Oversight team; a role with real influence, visibility and impact across the business. Reporting directly to the COO and working closely with the UK Executive Team, you'll bring together data, analytics, governance and customer outcome oversight to help shape strategic decision-making and drive sustainable business growth.

This is not a hands-on technical data role. Instead, we're looking for a commercially minded leader who can connect people, insight and strategy. Someone who can translate complex information into meaningful business stories, influence senior stakeholders and create a clear vision for how data and governance support the future success of the business.

The Opportunity:

• Data strategy and governance
• Management information and reporting
• Business performance analytics
• Customer outcome monitoring
• Conduct risk oversight
• Governance frameworks and executive reporting

You’ll work across the UK business while partnering with international colleagues to ensure we leverage enterprise capabilities, data platforms and governance frameworks already established across the wider Markel Group.

The role is central to helping Markel UK become a more insight-led organisation by transforming data into meaningful actions, improving governance effectiveness and creating stronger connections between operational performance, customer outcomes and strategic decision-making.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Lead the UK Data & MI Strategy
  • Define and deliver a clear vision for data, MI and analytics across the UK business.
  • Create a single, trusted view of business performance for senior leaders.
  • Improve reporting capabilities and executive decision-making through meaningful insight.
  • Drive adoption of Group data standards, tools and reporting frameworks.
• Drive Insight Across the Business
  • You'll help the business understand performance through three critical lenses:
  • Financial Performance
    • Gross Written Premium (GWP)
    • Net Written Premium (NWP)
    • Revenue and profitability
    • Commission performance
    • Forecast versus actual performance
  • Portfolio & Technical Performance
    • Loss ratios
    • Portfolio health
    • Risk quality indicators
    • Underwriting performance metrics
  • Operational Performance
    • Quote and conversion funnels
    • Customer and broker journeys
    • Operational KPIs
    • Productivity and service metrics
• Strengthen Governance & Customer Outcomes
  • Enhance governance and oversight frameworks.
  • Improve the use of data-driven oversight and monitoring.
  • Support Consumer Duty requirements and customer outcome reporting.
  • Identify emerging risks, trends and opportunities for intervention.
  • Deliver high-quality governance reporting to senior stakeholders.
• Lead and Influence
  • Provide leadership to a growing team spanning data, MI, analytics and governance.
  • Partner with senior leaders across Operations, Finance, Risk, Compliance, Underwriting and Technology.
  • Build strong relationships with UK and International stakeholders.
  • Translate complex information into clear, actionable business recommendations.
  • Help shape the future direction of the UK business through insight and influence.

What We're Looking For:

We're interested in leaders who combine strong commercial awareness with proven experience in data, analytics and business performance.

Essential Experience

• Significant leadership experience within Data, MI, Analytics, Performance Management or Governance functions.
• Strong insurance industry experience, either commercial or personal lines.
• Proven ability to create insight-led reporting and decision-making frameworks.
• Excellent stakeholder management and executive-level communication skills.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and influencing across matrix organisations.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including understanding key insurance performance measures such as GWP, NWP, loss ratios and profitability drivers.
• Ability to simplify complexity and tell compelling stories through data.

We’d Particularly Love to See

• Experience working in regulated financial services environments.
• Consumer Duty or conduct risk exposure.
• Experience working with international or group-wide operating models.
• Understanding of US GAAP reporting principles.
• Exposure to AI-enabled analytics, automation or advanced reporting solutions.

Who Will Succeed in This Role?

You’ll be a strategic leader rather than a technical specialist. You’ll enjoy bringing people together, influencing stakeholders and connecting business needs with data-driven solut