Markel (MKL) 10-Q 2012 Q1 Quarterly report

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

FURNISHED PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Markel Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2012 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Alan I. Kirshner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Alan I. Kirshner

Alan I. Kirshner

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

May 9, 2012