A visionary leader who established the culture of Markel Group Inc has passed away at the age of 88.

Alan Kirshner was the former chairman of the board and chief executive of Markel Group.

He joined Markel in 1960 and played a substantial role in transforming the company from a privately held regional insurer to a family of businesses with global reach.

Mr Kirshner joined the board of directors in 1978 and became chairman and chief executive in 1986, the same year that Markel became a public company.

He served as CEO through 2015, became executive chairman in 2016, and then became chairman emeritus in 2020.

Over that period, the company grew from less than 300 associates to more than 20,000 today.

"This is a sad day," said chief executive Tom Gayner. "It's hard to put into words the legacy and impact of Alan Kirshner.

“He was as savvy and hard-working a leader as anyone I ever met, but it was his commitment to people that really set him apart. Alan was by nature a builder and dedicated his life to building a company that could serve others for generations to come.

“In doing so, he taught us that there is nothing more important in business and life than treating people with kindness and respect. It's a lesson and legacy that we'll never forget."

The company said Mr Kirshner was the lead author of a cultural creed that the company called the “Markel Style”.

The statement, unchanged since being written in 1986, captures the values that the company says define Markel Group's culture – including their zealous pursuit of excellence, sense of humour, honesty, disdain for bureaucracy, and commitment to communities.

Markel said Mr Kirshner reinforced the latter with his own community investments, including starting the Faison School for autistic children and the Partnership for the Future programme to help students in underserved communities attend college.

"Words alone cannot express my gratitude for having been his friend and partner for the last 64 years," said vice-chairman Tony Markel.

"He was the consummate leader … kind, caring, generous, respectful, and above all a great listener. As the author of the ‘Markel Style’, his legacy is assured endurance."

Steve Markel, chairman of the board, added: "I worked side by side with Alan for nearly five decades. He was a visionary, challenging leadership and the organisation to embrace change, innovate, create, and strive for a better way.

“Through the ‘Markel Style’, his spirit and principles will live for ever within Markel Group."