Thomas S. Gayner has been at the helm of Markel Group Inc. since 2016, steering the company through various market conditions with a focus on long-term growth and performance. His approach to leadership emphasizes aligning executive compensation with the interests...

Thomas S. Gayner has been at the helm of Markel Group Inc. since 2016, steering the company through various market conditions with a focus on long-term growth and performance. His approach to leadership emphasizes aligning executive compensation with the interests of shareholders, promoting an ownership mentality among his team. Interestingly, his compensation reflects this philosophy, totaling over $8 million in 2023, largely driven by the value of restricted stock units that vested during the year. What stands out is Gayner's significant investment in Markel, which at one point reached a peak of $55.72 million in 2020 before gradually stabilizing around the mid-$70 million range. This level of commitment shows his confidence in the company’s future. Notably, he has consistently received no bonus awards, which implies a focus on long-term planning over short-term gains. For someone who has stayed with Markel for such a long period, his consistent vision and strategy make him a pivotal figure in the financial sector.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

M

Thomas S. Gayner

CEO of Markel

Education

Not specified

Field of Expertise

Finance & Banking - Finance

Sector of Economy

Financial Services

CEO of Markel for

9 years 5 months (Jan 2016 - Present)

Previous Experience

Chief Investment Officer

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Thomas S. Gayner

W

W. Robert Berkley, Jr.

CEO of W.R. Berkley

2023 Compensation

Stock

$5.65M

Salary

$1.09M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$678.34K

Total Holdings

$371.20M

T

Joseph M. Zubretsky

CEO of The Hanover Insurance Group

2023 Compensation

Stock

$1.15M

Salary

$1.10M

Bonus

$2.04M

Other

$87.75K

Total Holdings

$110.57M

T

Christopher J. Swift

CEO of The Hartford Financial Services Group

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$1.20M

Bonus

$3.86M

Other

$312.77K

Total Holdings

$49.18M

B

Warren E. Buffett

CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$100.00K

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$313.60K

Total Holdings

$162.98B

C

Steven R. Johnston

CEO of Cincinnati Financial

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$1.20M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$233.32K

Total Holdings

$50.71M

Holdings

See how much did Thomas S. Gayner make over time.

As the CEO of Markel Group Inc., Thomas S. Gayner has seen his holdings fluctuate significantly over the years. In 2020, his holdings peaked at around $55.72 million, showcasing a strong belief in the company’s trajectory. However, from that peak,...

As the CEO of Markel Group Inc., Thomas S. Gayner has seen his holdings fluctuate significantly over the years. In 2020, his holdings peaked at around $55.72 million, showcasing a strong belief in the company’s trajectory. However, from that peak, his net worth in company holdings experienced some decline, rebounding steadily to approximately $70 million by 2023. This consistent investment indicates his dedication to Markel's ongoing success. The fluctuations of his wealth highlight the inherent risks and opportunities in the market, but Gayner remains steadfast in his commitment to building long-term value for shareholders, displaying resilience amidst market challenges.

Mar 18, 2025

M

shares

MKL @ $1.84K

Total Stock Sold

$4.17M

MKL

$4.17M

5,000 MKL shares

What if they kept their stock?

If Thomas S. Gayner didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra MKL5,000 shares worth $4.83M.
This is 15.86% and $661.35K more than what they got when they sold the stock.

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Thomas S. Gayner.

MKL

3,349.829 shares

MKL

Feb 18, 2025

Received

MKL

$200.80K

MKL at $2.01K/share

Feb 7, 2025

Purchase

MKL

$154.97K

MKL at $1.55K/share

Nov 1, 2024

Purchase

GHC

$74.33K

GHC at $743.30/share

Sep 12, 2024

Purchase

MKL

1,041 shares

MKL

Feb 20, 2024

Received

MKL

2,710 shares

MKL

Feb 20, 2024

Received

MKL

$141.47K

MKL at $1.41K/share

Feb 2, 2024

Purchase

GHC

$60.72K

GHC at $607.24/share

Nov 9, 2023

Purchase

MKL

$131.19K

MKL at $1.31K/share

Nov 3, 2023

Purchase

GHC

$56.98K

GHC at $569.83/share

Sep 8, 2023

Purchase

Compensation History

See how much did Thomas S. Gayner make over time.

In 2023, Thomas S. Gayner earned a total compensation of $8,068,291, which included a salary of $1,050,000 and a substantial amount from vested stock units worth nearly $6.4 million. This structure reflects his company's compensation philosophy focused on long-term performance and shareholder alignment. Notably, Gayner did not receive any bonuses for the year, emphasizing a commitment to performance-based pay that rewards sustained success over short-term results. His compensation has remained generally consistent over the years, peaking significantly this year largely due to the vesting of stock awards. The absence of cash bonuses since 2017 points to a model where ownership and performance are prioritized, aligning executives' interests tightly with those of shareholders throughout his tenure at Markel.

Year

2023

Total Compensation

$7.50M

Salary

$1.05M

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy emphasizes long-term performance, ownership mentality, and pay for performance, aligning executive compensation with shareholder interests.

Bonus

$0.00

Board Justification

No bonus was awarded for 2023.

Other

$56.18K

Board Justification

Includes 401(k) match, life insurance premiums, and matching gifts.

Restricted Stock

$6.39M(4.5K RSU)

Board Justification

4,500 RSUs vested in 2023, with a fair market value of $1,419.90 per share on the vesting date.

Performance Metrics

Performance metrics include the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the Company’s book value per share and total shareholder return over a five-year period.