RE Brown syndicate 702 rebranded as Markel

LONDON - Lloyd's syndicate 702 R E Brown & Others is to change its name toMarkel Syndicate 702, on October 2. The syndicate's services companies inthe UK and its Australian operation, opened in 1998, will also take theMarkel name. The move comes after the decision by Mr Brown to step down asactive underwriter to be replaced by Andreas Loucaides in August, and theacquisition of the syndicate by the Markel Corporation when its parent,Terra Nova, was bought in March this year. Markel has also unveiled its newon-line e-business system, Activequote. Markel said the new rapid quotationsystem had been designed to speed broker access to the market and wouldrevolutionise the way the syndicate transacted business with its brokerpartners. It is due to go fully live on January 1, 2001.