RICHMOND, Va.—Paul W. Springman, president and chief operating officer of Markel Corp., said Monday that he is taking a leave of absence from the insurer for unspecified personal reasons.

The responsibilities of Mr. Springman, who has been president and COO of Richmond, Va.-based Markel since May 2008, will be assumed by other members of the specialty insurer’s senior management, Markel said in statement.