Following the resounding success of the inaugural Middle East Insurance Industry Awards (MIIA) in 2014, Middle East Insurance Review (MEIR) is organising the Awards again this year to recognise and fete the best in the industry.
The MIIA, modelled after the internationally acclaimed Asia Insurance Industry Awards which is now in its 19th year, is fully transparent with defined criteria for 16 categories. The integrity of the MIIA system is underpinned by a panel of 27 distinguished judges drawn from local, regional and international insurance leaders. Scores will be tabulated and audited by independent auditors EY. The MIIA this year is co-branded with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the General Arab Insurance Federation (GAIF).
“The first MIIA was well received by the market. The feedback we received was astounding and encouraging. To see excellence in the insurance industry being saluted was indeed inspiring,” said Mr Sivam Subramaniam, Editor-in-Chief of MEIR.
He added: “The Middle East is going places and there are many people doing many things that deserve recognition, several of which could even be world firsts. Our aim is to serve the market as a standard setter and actively contribute to the insurance industry’s march towards greater professionalism and higher standards. So do reflect on the best thing you have done last year and send in your nominations.”
Individuals or companies have up till 15 June to nominate themselves or third parties for any of the awards. Judging Day will be on 7 October, with the results kept secret until the Gala Dinner on 17 November, to be held in Dubai in conjunction with the MENA Rendezvous.
The awards categories are:
• Life Insurance Company of the Year;
• General Insurance Company of the Year;
• Health Insurance Company of the Year;
• Family Takaful Company of the Year
• General Takaful Company of the Year;
• Educational & Training Initiative of the Year;
• Innovation of the Year;
• Service Provider of the Year;
• Corporate Risk Manager of the Year;
• TPA of the Year;
• Law Firm of the Year;
• Broker of the Year;
• Reinsurance Broker of the Year;
• Retakaful Company of the Year;
• Reinsurance Company of the Year; and
• Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Judging Panel comprises:
Regional Judges
• Mr Abdul Khaliq R Khalil, Secretary General, General Arab Insurance Federation (GAIF);
• Mr Fareed Lutfi, Secretary General, Emirates Insurance Association;
• Mr Hammam Badr, former Secretary General, Federation of Afro-Asian Insurers & Reinsurers (FAIR);
• Mr Walid Genadry, Head of the Insurance Control Commission, Ministry of Economy and Trade, Lebanon;
• Mr Younis Al Sayed, former Chairman, Bahrain Insurance Association;
• Mr Akshay Randeva, Director, Strategic Initiatives & Development, Qatar Financial Centre Authority;
• Mr Christian Vogel, CEO, Gulf Reinsurance Limited;
• Dr Mohamed Maait, Deputy Chairman, Egyptian Financial Supervisory Authority;
• Mr Mahomed Akoob, Managing Director, Hannover ReTakaful;
• Mr Mohamed El Dishish, CEO, Emirates Retakaful Ltd;
• Mr Fateh Bekdache, General Manager, AROPE Insurance;
• Mr Mark Cooper, General Representative/ Country Manager, Dubai, Lloyd’s;
• Mr Fahad Al Hesni, CEO, Saudi Reinsurance Company;
• Dr Michael Bitzer, CEO, National Health Insurance Company – Daman;
• Mr Omer Hassan Elamin, President, Orient Group;
• Mr Ronald Chidiac, General Manager, Arab Reinsurance Company S.A.L.;
• Dr Bassel Hindawi, former Insurance Commissioner, Insurance Commission of Jordan;
• Mr Robin Kevin Ali, Consultant, Health Funding Department, Dubai Health Authority;
• Mr Steve Dixon, Regional Managing Director, ACE Group MENA, Regional Office; and
• Mr Yassir Albaharna, CEO, Arab Insurance Group.
International Judges
• Mr Geoff Riddell, former Regional Chairman, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Zurich Insurance Group;
• Dr Kai-Uwe Schanz, Special Advisor, The Geneva Association;
• Mr Michael J Morrissey, President & Chief Executive Officer, International Insurance Society;
• Mr Patrick Liedtke, Managing Director & Head of Financial Institutions Group – EMEA, BlackRock;
• Dr Peter F Hugger, CEO, Echo Reinsurance Limited;
• Dr Roger Sellek, CEO, A.M. Best – EMEA & Asia Pacific; and
• Ms Susan Dingwall, Partner (Insurance/ Reinsurance Dispute Resolution), Norton Rose Fulbright LLP.