Finance/Insurance: RICHARD R. ‘RICHIE’ WHITT

After working at Markel Corp. for 31 years, including six years as co-CEO of the Fortune 500 financial holding company, Whitt plans to retire by the end of March 2023. After he steps down, Thomas S. Gayner will become the company’s sole CEO.

“Throughout his career at Markel, Richie has represented Markel’s culture and values, especially honesty, fairness and the zealous pursuit of excellence,” Steven A. Markel, the company’s board chair, said of Whitt in a statement.

In 2016, Markel named Whitt and Gayner co-CEOs. Whitt took responsibility for international insurance and reinsurance operations, insurance-linked securities fund managers and the company’s shared services teams. Whitt led Markel in several acquisitions, including a 2018 deal for which Markel paid $975 million to acquire Nephila Holdings Limited, an insurance-linked securities manager. Whitt made $4.6 million in total compensation in 2021.

From 2010 to 2016, Whitt served as Markel’s president and chief operating officer. Previously, he held a variety of other roles at the company, including controller and chief financial officer.

A 1987 graduate of Virginia Tech, Whitt serves on the board of the Virginia Tech Foundation.