IGI strengthens board with two new appointments
International General Insurance (IGI) has appointed Messrs David Anthony and Anwar Al-Jabri as non-executive directors to its board.
Mr Anthony is an independent insurance consultant working under the DA Research & Analysis (DARAA) trading name. Prior to that, he was a director and senior analyst with S&P Global Ratings. He brings to IGI 30 years of experience in the insurance and reinsurance industry, having worked extensively in the EMEA region and the US.
Mr Al-Jabri is currently the CEO at Oman National Investment Corporation (Jabreen Capital) and has previously worked for Oman Investment Fund (OIF), Oman Refinery Company and the Central Bank of Oman. He has over 18 years of experience in investment, banking and financial services, and has served in various public and non-public company boards locally and internationally.
EY appoints new lead for its MENA Assurance practice
EY has appointed Mr Khurram Mian as assurance leader across the MENA region, leading a team of over 2,400 assurance professionals across 13 countries and 17 offices in the three practices of audit, financial accounting advisory services (FAAS) and fraud investigation & dispute services (FIDS).
Mr Mian has over 20 years of experience at EY, leading many of the largest banking and family business accounts of EY. Most recently, since 2015, he served as the COO of the MENA assurance practice. Prior to that, he held the role of assurance leader in EY Jeddah and Dubai consecutively, from 2009 to 2015.
A&M expands Middle East team
Global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) expands its Middle East team with the appointment of Mr Ghazanfar Shah as senior director in its regional disputes and investigations practice.
With more than 17 years of experience, Mr Shah has been instrumental in assisting his clients navigate complex fraud investigations across multiple jurisdictions. He is a trusted adviser to government institutions, multi-national companies, sovereign wealth funds and family businesses in the Middle East.
Prior to joining A&M, Mr Shah spent seven years with a Big Four accounting firm in its forensic investigations division in Dubai. During this time, he headed numerous high-profile fraud and anti-bribery investigations spanning the globe in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the US.
A&M works with organisations and regulators across the insurance industry to improve performance, meet financial and operational targets and navigate compliance issues.
New head of Central Insurance of Iran
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has named Mr Gholamreza Soleimani Amiri as the new chairman of Bimeh Markazi Iran (Central Insurance of Iran) at a cabinet meeting in July. He is taking over Dr Abdolnasser Hemmati, who has been appointed Iran’s new ambassador to China.
In a speech delivered during the cabinet meeting, President Rouhani thanked the former chairman and expressed hope that Mr Soleimani Amiri, who is the former director of the Social Security Organization, would be successful in his new role.
Jordan: Newton Insurance appoints new GM
Newton Insurance, the new brand for Jordan International Insurance (JIIG), has promoted Mr Badr Attari to become its general manager with effect from June 2018. He has served as the company’s senior vice president since 2017.
Mr Attari has more than 15 years of experience in the insurance and banking sectors. Before joining Newton, he worked with Trust International Insurance from 2008 to 2016 as reinsurance treaties administration manager and business analyst. Before that, he served with Jordan’s Al-Nisr Al-Arabi Insurance for two years.
Saudi Arabia: SAMA gets new deputy governor for supervision
Dr Fahad Alshathri, former deputy governor of research and international affairs at Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA), is now the deputy governor for supervision, having been appointed in June this year.
Dr Alshathri is responsible for ensuring a sound and efficient financial system through effective regulation of the banking and insurance sector. He is currently managing teams involved in the design of supervisory frameworks, policy development, inspections, consumer protection, anti-money laundering and counter financing of terrorism.
Dr Alshathri is the chairman of the board of the Kafalah Program for SME financing and member of the board of directors of Saudi Social Development Bank, Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority, General Authority of Zakat and Tax, and Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development.
Before joining SAMA in 2016, Dr Alshathri served in the Saudi Office at the International Monetary Fund.
Saudi Arabia: Al Ahli Takaful appoints board members
Al Ahli Takaful Company has announced the appointments of two new non-executive board members – National Commercial Bank’s head of retail banking group Hamed Mohamed Fayez and head of small and medium enterprises Khalid Mohammed Bashnini.
The nominations are pending the approval of the public shareholders at the general assembly meeting according to regulatory requirements.
The new board members have over 15 years of senior management experience each in bank and financial institutions.
UAE: RSA strengthens DIFC operation with a new appointment
RSA has appointed Mr Chris Riley as senior executive officer for the company’s operation in the DIFC.
Mr Riley joined RSA Middle East, Dubai in 2012 as marine senior trading underwriter. In 2013 he was moved to the RSA DIFC as head of marine for the MENA region. He has vast insurance experience in the field of underwriting. Prior to joining RSA, he was associated with R E Heathcock, Roberts & Davis Group, CNA Insurance and Beazley.
In addition to his SEO duties, Mr Riley will continue to handle marine facultative reinsurance from Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan, Turkey and Sri Lanka assisted by the RSA DIFC marine team. He is also an experienced leader providing effective management oversight and compliance with group policies. Apart from underwriting, Mr Riley contributes to the implementation of marketing and business development in order to secure renewals and profitable new business growth.
UAE: Ed appoints new treaty team lead
Mr Souvik Goswami, formerly head of non-life underwriting, facultative and treaty at Saudi Re, has joined Ed – a global reinsurance, wholesale and specialty broker.
Mr Goswami, who brings with him 15 years of industry experience and expertise, is based in the company’s Dubai office and leads the treaty business across MENA and the Indian sub-continent. His focus is on new business opportunities in the region and strengthening the firm’s relationships with its clients.
UAE: ADIB gets new chief digital officer
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) has appointed Mr Serhat Yildirim as its new chief digital officer.
Mr Yildirim is formerly from Finansbank in Turkey, where he was responsible for leading a revolutionary digital payment system project, said ADIB.
ADIB’s vice chairman and acting CEO Khamis Buharoon said, “We are delighted to welcome Serhat on board to lead the development and enhancement of our digital approach and to ensure that we are implementing technology-led solutions across all divisions of ADIB.”
Prior to joining Finansbank, Mr Yildirim was with Akbank Direct – Turkey’s fastest growing digital banking platform – where he was responsible for managing and developing the bank’s self-service channels that included ATM, internet and mobile platforms.
UAE: Senior promotions at Now Health
Now Health International Group has announced senior staff promotions as it continues to grow and consolidate its position in the marketplace.
Mr Zahir Sharif, formerly managing director for the Asia, Middle East and Africa region, has been promoted to lead the entire business as managing director. With 20 years of experience in the insurance sector across three continents, Mr Sharif’s new global role will see him focus on delivering continued sustainable growth alongside the company’s expansion plans.
Mr Alex Dalton, previously managing director for Europe, is now the managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) & COO. He will be responsible for managing all commercial needs of the EMEA region and also focus on ensuring the company’s operational processes are fit for purpose in the long term. M