New head of CEEMEA for Willis Towers Watson
Ms Pamela Thomson-Hall has been named head of the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CEEMEA) region of Willis Towers Watson. She has also been appointed head of corporate risk and broking (CRB) for the CEEMEA region.
She starts both roles with immediate effect and is based in London. Her goals are to drive business growth across more than 40 countries, with a focus on client engagement and innovation. Her CRB role will involve setting strategic and operational direction for an extensive and established network of risk advisory and broking businesses.
Ms Thomson-Hall has a legal background and joined the company nearly 20 years ago as general counsel for the international region of Willis, a post she held for almost 15 years. She then led the teams involved in the acquisition and integration of major French broker Gras Savoye, before becoming chief of staff for the international region of Willis. Her most recent role is managing director for international. She is also chair of Willis Towers Watson’s International Council for Inclusion and Diversity.
Morocco: SCR appoints new head for international business
Morocco’s sole national reinsurer, Société Centrale de Réassurance (SCR) has appointed Mr Vincent Grailhon as the head of international business with effect from 1 October. He joins SCR from Hiscox Re Paris, where he served as the head of treaties operations since 2006.
Before that, Mr Grailhon served as director and underwriter with Ascot for two years. From 1995 until 2004, he was senior vice president and regional manager with Axa Re. Prior to that, he also worked with Abeille Reassurance and Compagnie Transcontinentale de Reassurance.
Mr Grailhon has more than 30 years of reinsurance underwriting experience with deep knowledge in Southern Europe, Middle East and African markets in addition to his thorough knowledge in underwriting marine and non-marine treaties and retrocession.
Saudi Arabia: MedGulf’s CEO resigns
MedGulf Insurance & Reinsurance Company’s board of directors has approved the resignation of CEO Abdulrahman Al-Zwaidi, the insurer said in a statement.
The resignation will come into effect as of 4 November. MedGulf said it will appoint another CEO in the coming period after obtaining approval from the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA).
Mr Al-Zwaidi was appointed CEO in May this year.
Saudi Arabia: Two new administrative appointments at SAMA
The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) has announced two new appointments: Mr Abdullah Altowaijri as general manager of insurance control; and Mr Abdulaziz Alotaibi as acting director of performance and risk investment risk department.
Saudi Arabia: Walaa Cooperative elects board vice chairman and ExComm chairman
Walaa Cooperative Insurance has appointed, with SAMA’s approval, Mr Khalid bin Abdulrahman Al-Rajhi as its board vice chairman and Dr Solaiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Twaijri as its executive committee chairman.
Mr Al-Rajhi holds several positions in public joint-stock companies and sits on the boards of directors of the executive committees of Bank Albilad and Saudi Cement Company, among others.
Mr Al-Twaijri is the managing director and CEO of Saudi Arabian Amiantit Co and sits on the boards of Chemical Development Co and Takween Advanced Industries.
UAE: IGI names chief actuary
Dubai-based IGI has named Mr Stephen Rix as chief actuary, based in its London office. Mr Rix is formerly head of analytics at Capsicum Re and prior to that he was chief actuary at Liberty Specialty Markets.
IGI president Waleed Jabsheh said, “We are delighted to have Stephen join us at IGI. He is well respected in the market and will help advance the company’s actuarial potential. His wealth of knowledge and experience in insurance and reinsurance will be vital for the company as it expands and grows.”
Howden appoints UAE CEO
Howden has announced the appointment of Mr Sajith Kumar as CEO of its UAE operations. He will be responsible for the company’s growth plans in the emirate and will join the region’s senior leadership team, reporting to Mr Atinc Yilmaz, regional CEO, Howden Turkey, the Middle East and Africa (TMEA).
Mr Kumar spent 15 years at Marsh, where he was CEO of Marsh Oman and most recently, deputy CEO of Marsh Emirates. He has 26 years of experience in the insurance industry, bringing strong leadership skills and valuable expertise in all facets of insurance including broking, underwriting and claims management.
Howden has taken strategic steps to expand its presence in TMEA, with the acquisition of ACP in Turkey, the opening of their first offices in Oman and Tanzania and specialist practices across the region. This new appointment is expected to drive the company’s UAE business into its next chapter of growth, according to Mr José Manuel González, CEO, Howden Broking Group.
Mr Arvind Kashyapa will retain his role as chairman, Howden UAE, and continue to manage his client relationships.
UAE: BHSI boosts Dubai team
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (BHSI) has further expanded its leadership team in Dubai with the appointment of executives to fill key product line and service posts.
The appointees include:
- Ms Aisling Malone, head of executive & professional lines, who is joined by Mr Joe Saab, senior underwriter;
- Mr Emir Erdur, head of casualty, will work with Mr Mohammed Hannoun, senior underwriting manager;
- Mr Carlos Beltran, head of commercial property – he was previously regional vice president, P&C underwriting at Chubb Latin America;
- Ms Meenakshi Srinath, head of marine;
- Mr Kapil Palathinkal, head of energy and construction, who is joined by Ms Anuradha Sekar, senior underwriter;
- Mr Pruthviraj More, senior risk engineer – formerly a property loss control engineer at Allianz Global Corporate Specialty; and
- Mr John Lewis, head of claims – previously head of claims at Zurich Insurance DIFC Dubai.
BHSI Asia Middle East president Marc Breuil said, “Building a strong foundation of servicing capabilities and local knowledge and expertise is critical to BHSI’s long-term plans in the Middle East. Since DIFC BHSI commenced operations in February, we have established a strong and dynamic team to bring the company’s unmatched financial strength and capital to the Middle East.”
UAE: New head of broking for Noor Takaful
Noor Takaful has appointed Mr Saif Obeidat as head of broking channel, responsible for accelerating and developing the overall broking business of the company.
Mr Obeidat has 20 years of experience leading the distribution of employee benefits solutions throughout the Gulf region. He is formerly the senior director – head of sales at Aetna, where he was responsible for generating and expanding sales of medical insurance through various distribution channels. Prior to that, he was the deputy director of sales, Gulf region at MetLife Alico, where he oversaw the top and bottom line performance of corporate solutions.
Ras Al Khaimah National Insurance Company’s board has approved the resignation of CEO Andrew Smith.
Prior to joining RAK Insurance, Mr Smith held various key executive positions in insurance companies across the GCC and the UK. His vast experience in the GCC market spans across all functions ranging from strategic planning, technical underwriting and reinsurance to financial management, ERM, and business development. He has over 20 years of experience in both conventional and Islamic insurance.
The board has appointed Mr Ewen John McRobbie as the new CEO effective 1 October.