This Q&A has been prepared for clients and other relevant parties who may have dealt with The MECO Group DIFC Ltd (“MECO DIFC”), which is authorised and regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”) under Firm Reference No. F005473.
It explains the proposed integration of MECO DIFC into Markel International (Dubai) Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the DFSA under Firm Reference No. F002699, and the proposed discontinuation of MECO DIFC DFSA licence. The discontinuation of MECO DIFC DFSA licence remains subject to DFSA approval.
What is happening?
On 30 May 2025, The MECO Group (“MECO”) was acquired by Markel Capital Holdings Limited (“Markel International”), part of Markel Group Inc (“Markel”). The sale included all subsidiaries, including MECO DIFC, which became part of Markel on the same date.
As part of the integration process, it is intended that MECO DIFC will discontinue its DFSA licence and cease carrying on Financial Services in or from the Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”). This will only take effect once the relevant regulatory and operational steps have been completed.
Following the operational integration, relevant services currently supported by The MECO Group DIFC Ltd will be provided, where applicable, by Markel International (Dubai) Limited.
About Markel?
Markel has a diverse range of interests in Insurance, Investments and Ventures that collectively generated operating revenues of USD16.621bn in 2024. Set up in 1930, Markel has expanded significantly over the last two decades. Much of this growth has come from Markel International’s insurance operations in London, Europe and Asia Pacific. Markel International accounts for about one third of Markel’s 2024 insurance revenues of USD10.548bn.
Markel in Dubai
Markel International (Dubai) Limited is authorised and regulated by the DFSA under Firm Reference No. F002699.
Markel International (Dubai) Limited operates from the DIFC and carries on insurance-related activities from the DIFC. The Dubai office is led by Max Robbie as Senior Executive Officer and Licensed Director.
MECO DIFC
MECO DIFC is authorised and regulated by the DFSA under Firm Reference No. F005473.
The MECO DIFC and Markel International (Dubai) Limited offices are both based in the DIFC. As part of the integration process, relevant operations and staff currently supporting MECO DIFC activities are being integrated into Markel International (Dubai) Limited.
Once this process has been completed, MECO DIFC is expected to discontinue its DFSA licence subject
to DFSA approval.
Will The MECO Group DIFC Ltd continue to be regulated by the DFSA following integration?
No. As part of the integration process, it is intended that this DFSA licence will be discontinued. This is subject to DFSA approval. Following completion of that process, relevant DIFC-based servicing arrangements will be undertaken, where applicable, by Markel International (Dubai) Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the DFSA under Firm Reference No. F002699.
What happens to MECO’s insurance brands?
The brand names that MECO has traded under, including The Charterers P&I Club and AURORA P&I,
are expected to continue in their current form, using the same identity, logos, terms and conditions,
unless clients are notified otherwise.
For the MENA region, these brands and related servicing arrangements are expected to be managed
by Markel International (Dubai) Limited once the integration process has been completed.
What changes can I expect?
The intended approach is business as usual.
MECO DIFC staff in Dubai are expected to transfer to Markel International (Dubai) Limited as part ofthe integration process. The combined teams are also expected to move into a new office in DIFC Square, a new office building in the DIFC.
MECO DIFC staff will transition to Markel email addresses in due course. Existing MECO DIFC email addresses and contact details will continue to be monitored for the foreseeable future, and any change to contact arrangements will be communicated separately.
Who do I contact regarding my policy?
You should continue to contact the person or team that you usually deal with at MECO DIFC unless and until you are notified otherwise.
Existing MECO DIFC email addresses will continue to be monitored for the foreseeable future. If yourcontact arrangements change, you will be notified separately.
Regulatory position
The MECO Group DIFC Ltd is authorised and regulated by the DFSA, with Firm Reference No. F005473. Markel International (Dubai) Limited is also authorised and regulated by the DFSA, with Firm Reference No. F002699.
As part of the integration of MECO into Markel International, it is intended that MECO DIFC will discontinue its DFSA licence and cease carrying on Financial Services in or from the DIFC. This will only take effect once the relevant regulatory and operational steps have been completed.
The MECO Group DIFC Ltd has supported the servicing of policies written by Great Lakes Insurance SE for policies bound up to 30 June 2025 and by Markel Syndicate 3000 at Lloyd’s, Markel International Insurance Company Limited and Markel Insurance SE for policies bound on or after 1 July 2025.
Existing policies remain documented from London and this position is unchanged. The proposed discontinuation of MECO DIFC DFSA licence is not expected to affect the validity of existing policies, the terms and conditions of those policies, or the handling of existing claims.
Claims will continue to be handled by the relevant servicing team in Dubai. Once the operational integration is completed, relevant servicing will be provided, where applicable, by Markel International (Dubai) Limited.
There may be a short transitional period during which the MECO name continues to be used in connection with the run-off and servicing of policies bound before 30 June 2025. The use of the MECO name in this context is expected to cease once the relevant policies and associated claims matters have been closed.
This is all subject to DFSA approval.
Will my policy be affected?
No change is expected to the validity of existing policies, the terms and conditions of those policies, or the handling of existing claims as a result of the proposed discontinuation of MECO DIFC DFSA licence.
Existing policies will continue to be administered in accordance with their terms.
Will claims continue to be handled?
Yes. Claims will continue to be handled by the relevant servicing team.
If your claim is currently being handled by MECO, you should continue to use your existing contact unless and until you are notified otherwise.
Will there be any change to policy documentation?
Existing policy documentation will remain in place. Policies will continue to be administered in accordance with their existing terms and conditions.
Any future change to documentation, contact details, or servicing arrangements will be communicated separately where relevant.
Any other Questions
If you have further questions please reach out to your usual contact at MECO, or Gavin Ritchie
The MECO Group DIFC Ltd, Dubai
18 May 2026
