Chris began his career at Lloyd’s with Willis Faber & Dumas in 1980, finishing his career as Deputy Chairman of Willis Re in 2017, a global business employing 1300 people with commissions in excess of $700m.
Over his 37 years at Willis, Chris held roles of Managing Director Marine, Chairman of Willis Marine Global and CEO of Willis Re Specialty, incorporating both global marine and non marine LMX businesses.
Chris is without doubt one of the most highly respected market leaders and reinsurance specialists in the world.
General Sir Simon Vincent Mayall KBE is a retired British Army officer and a Middle East Adviser at the Ministry of Defence. He served for 40 years in the British Army marked by a focus on the Middle East speaking colloquial Arabic and as the first Defence Senior Adviser for the Middle East was responsible for re-energising the UK’s security relationships with partners in the Gulf.
Simon was responsible for establishing the Royal Navy base in Bahrain, Britain’s first permanent military base “East of Suez’ since 1971. He was also the Prime Minister’s Security Envoy to Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government.
Andrew’s employment career at Lloyd’s has centred around marine insurance and reinsurance, commencing as a trainee broker at Cooper Gay in 1985, culminating as Managing Director of Willis Marine and Middle East Board Member of Willis Al Futtaim UAE in 2002.
Since 2002, Andrew’s path at Lloyd’s has been entrepreneurial, founding the first Lloyd’s broker, outside the umbrella system in ‘SSL Insurance Brokers’ and a specialised MGA Cover Holder at Lloyd’s in ‘London War Risks’. Both these businesses were sold to JC Flowers in 2018, where Andrew remained a holdings board Non-Executive director until August 2020.
Andrew has a proven track record of creating successful start-ups at Lloyd’s in both the broking and MGA space, with a considerable personal distribution network built up over 35 years at Lloyd’s, and currently serves directorships on Sturdy AGI Holdings Limited, Sturdy Insurance Brokers Ltd, ADRE Partners Limited and Abu Dhabi Reinsurance Company Limited.
Since 2018 in partnership with strategic local entities, Andrew’s career has focused on founding Abu Dhabi Reinsurance Company Ltd, ADGM in establishing the first FSRA ADGM regulated MGA in Abu Dhabi Global Markets writing on behalf of ‘A’ rated carriers’.
Jonathan Turnbull qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG in 1987 and then became the Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive of Lloyd’s of London for 4 years. In early 1992 Jonathan moved into the reinsurance broking arena working for well-known successful re/insurance broking houses at a senior level – Benfield Greig; R K Carvill; Robert Fleming & Ardonagh Specialty.
Jonathan has performed the Chief Executive/Financial/Operational & Commercial Officer roles for significant periods of time in these broking houses. His broad experience in the UK, US & International re/insurance markets together with strong corporate finance & operational skill sets plus understanding of the Lloyd’s & MGA space makes him ideally suited to perform the role of Chief Operating Officer of ADRe.
A recognised leader in the International Energy insurance sector, with over 25 years of global underwriting experience Tejal began her insurance career in 1995 and held various management focussed at Liberty Chubb, Zurich, and Qatar Re. During her career, Tejal has managed to establish strong relationships risk managers, cedents and brokers globally.
Having taken on global and regional roles in her tenure, she has established a reputation for managing high-performing teams with a profitable portfolio.
Tejal currently serves as the Chief Underwriting Officer as well as a board member of Abu Dhabi Reinsurance Company Limited.
Sian is the General Counsel of Abu Dhabi Reinsurance Company Limited and advises on legal and corporate secretariat matters.
With a career in the (re) insurance industry spanning four decades, she has built a strong reputation among clients and colleagues as a trusted adviser.
In addition to her extensive knowledge of the (re) insurance industry and regulatory frameworks, Sian has a broad range of dispute resolution experience; including the provision of expert testimony in contentious insurance and reinsurance disputes both in London and New York.
After completing his degree from the Royal Holloway and Bedford College in London and his Masters in Global Banking and Finance, Nadjib started his professional career in the Middle East. He began underwriting with Trust Re in 2008 where he was responsible for the management of the portfolios of Energy and Engineering before moving to Abu Dhabi Re.
During his time at Trust Re, Nadjib oversaw business emanating from Africa, Middle East, Asia, CEE and CIS regions, managing a portfolio of GWP USD125m. He was also involved in the negotiation of treaty renewals as well as being a strong advocate of training and encouraging new talent into the insurance industry.
Brendan McDonald is an accomplished leader with extensive expertise in Liability and Specialty Lines within the Global insurance sector. He is renowned for fostering enduring client relationships cultivated throughout his career. With a proven track record of success, Brendan recently served as Head of Underwriting for Generali’s Global Corporate and Commercial business in Asia, where he oversaw a portfolio catering to mid to large corporate clients across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Australia.
Prior to his tenure in Asia, Brendan spent eight years in the Middle East, distinguishing himself by managing substantial Liability and Financial Lines portfolios at Zurich and OIC (now Sukoon). His leadership consistently delivered above-target profitability, with responsibilities spanning the UAE at OIC and the broader MENA region at Zurich, encompassing diverse insurance and reinsurance offerings.
Brendan is currently the Head of Liability & Specialty Lines in Abu Dhabi Re.
Atul Chavan is a seasoned insurance professional with over 20 years of experience across the Middle East and Asia. His expertise spans multiple lines of business, including Property, Engineering, Power and General Lines. Atul has demonstrated strong leadership skills in developing and implementing underwriting strategies, managing diverse portfolios, and driving profitable growth in competitive markets.
Throughout his career, Atul has excelled in both direct insurance and reinsurance, showcasing proficiency in risk assessment, underwriting, and portfolio optimization. His experience includes successfully managing facultative and treaty reinsurance programs, negotiating with brokers and reinsurers, and implementing effective risk management strategies. Atul's technical acumen is complemented by his strategic vision, enabling him to align underwriting practices with broader business objectives.
Atul is currently the Head of Property, Power and Engineering at Abu Dhabi Re.
Atul's track record includes leadership roles at prominent organizations such as Marsh, Al Rajhi Takaful, Qatar Reinsurance, and Zurich Insurance. In these positions, he has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead cross-functional teams, develop innovative insurance solutions, and navigate complex regulatory environments. His combination of technical expertise, market knowledge, and business acumen positions him as a versatile and impactful insurance leader.
Sudarshan Balakrishna is a seasoned insurance professional with over a decade of experience specializing in underwriting and risk assessment within the Property and Power sectors. Having honed his expertise through roles at prominent firms such as Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company and RAK Insurance, he has consistently demonstrated his capabilities in analysing underwriting strategies, interpreting treaties, and developing new business models. Sudarshan's extensive background includes strategic restructuring of underwriting methodologies, risk analysis, and liaising closely with engineering teams to assess and enhance risk quality. His comprehensive understanding of proportional and excess-of-loss (XOL) treaties highlights his depth in reinsurance and market-specific underwriting practices.
Currently serving as an Underwriter specializing in Property and Power risks at Abu Dhabi Re, Sudarshan is responsible for managing complex risks across MENA and non-MENA regions. His role involves assessing and ensuring all written risks align with company appetite, optimizing retention levels, and effectively utilizing treaty capacities. He brings to the table a keen eye for risk management, a strategic approach to underwriting that prioritizes both profitability and stability, and an unwavering commitment to enhancing organizational performance.
Sara Zaheer brings a wealth of expertise as a Junior Underwriter focusing on engineering lines. With a strong focus on analyzing business prospects and identifying profitable opportunities, Sara ensures strategic alignment with the company's goals. Proficient in IIRIS entries and adept at coordinating with various departments, Sara's meticulous approach and problem-solving skills make her an invaluable asset in managing complex projects and maintaining client satisfaction.
Drawing from her invaluable experience at Al Ain Ahlia Endurance company PSC, Sara possesses a deep understanding of reviewing and analyzing business prospects. Her expertise extends to identifying profitable opportunities while skillfully navigating high-risk and low-profit margin scenarios.
Armed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from India and currently advancing her knowledge with an MBA, Sara serves as the Assistant Underwriter for the Liability & Specialty Lines portfolio at Abu Dhabi Reinsurance.
Vinitha Achan brings a decade of experience in the insurance industry, with expertise primarily in U.S. Property and Casualty. Over her career, she has supported underwriters and managed an extensive portfolio of over 5,000 policies, consistently optimizing the underwriting process. Vinitha has excelled in enhancing operational accuracy and efficiency, leading projects that have reduced inconsistencies and significantly improved policy accuracy. As a proven leader, she has spearheaded training programs, led process audits, and managed various improvement initiatives. Her accomplishments have earned her multiple awards, including continuous improvement recognitions.
In her role as an Assistant Underwriter for Property and Power at Abu Dhabi Re, Vinitha leverages her deep industry knowledge and analytical acumen to assess and manage complex risk factors. With a strong commitment to precision and a collaborative mindset, she excels in policy management and process improvement. Vinitha’s strengths lie in process analysis, project management, and cross-departmental communication, making her a critical asset in driving operational success and client satisfaction.
Shahd Khaled Hamdan is an accomplished professional with a diverse background spanning project management, banking, and regulatory affairs. She holds a Master’s in Communications (Public Relations) and a Bachelor’s degree in Finance with a minor in Marketing. Over the years, Shahd has honed her skills in strategic project delivery, regulatory compliance, and client relationship management, working for major organizations such as First Abu Dhabi Bank and the National Bank of Abu Dhabi. Her work in leading integration and transformation initiatives, optimizing processes, and managing cross-functional teams reflects her ability to drive efficiency, innovation, and impactful outcomes.
In her current role as an Assistant Underwriter for Political Violence at Abu Dhabi Re, Shahd brings her analytical acumen, strategic thinking, and attention to detail to assess and mitigate complex risks. Her experience in navigating intricate regulatory environments and fostering strong stakeholder relationships positions her to deliver tailored underwriting solutions. Shahd is committed to enhancing client confidence and contributing to robust, resilient policies that address the unique challenges of Political Violence underwriting.
George’s employment career has been focused entirely within shipping and all related services to the industry.
George joined Peter Döhle Group, Hamburg in June 2018 on a training scheme, spending time in all ship management departments including superintendents, bunkering, sales and purchase, chartering, legal and insurance. To conclude his training, George spent vocational time at sea on board MV ‘MSC Filomena’, a 13,500 TEU containership on a return two-and-a-half-month voyage from Felixstowe to Sri Lanka, mid calling Jeddah. He joined Affinity (Shipping) Ltd, London in late 2018, employed as a Spot Market Clean Tanker Chartering Broker and went on to concentrate in this field.
In 2022, George became a Director of Sturdy AGI Holdings to focus on the development of Abu Dhabi Re specialized projects.
With over 11 years of rich and diverse experience, Zain has honed his expertise within the realms of finance and auditing. His professional journey commenced at RSM Pakistan, where he embarked as a junior audit associate. Within four years, Zain ascended to the role of Supervisor, demonstrating his commitment to excellence and rapid professional growth. Venturing further, he joined Crowe International in Dubai (changed to UHY International in December 2019), where his trajectory soared to Senior Managerial status over a span of seven years.
Throughout Zain’s career, he has spearheaded various initiatives encompassing financial audits, IFRS advisory, control gap analysis, and system implementations. Moreover, his forte extends to finance function supervision, compliance reviews, financial due diligence, and project evaluations. Zain’s unwavering dedication and proficiency have been instrumental in navigating complex financial landscapes and delivering exceptional results.
With qualifications including Member of Professional Accounting (MIPA - Australia), Associate member of the Association of Finance Accountants (AFA - UK), Certified in Accounting & Finance (CAF - ICAP), and a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com), Zain currently serves as the Head of Finance and Operations at Abu Dhabi Reinsurance, leveraging his diverse skill set to drive strategic initiatives and ensure financial stability for the organization.
With a vast experience of over 10 years in office management and administration, Abigail has extensive knowledge of administrative processes and procedures which drives efficiency and productivity in an office environment. In her 5+ years working in the insurance industry, she has familiarized herself with the business needs and how to effectively cope to its day-to-day challenges.
Her professional background has included roles where she has been responsible for maintaining the smooth running of busy offices while ensuring compliance with company policies. Abigail has also had experience managing personnel, overseeing administrative tasks such as filing and record keeping, developing operational systems and procedures, organizing meetings and events, and budgeting.
Abigail is a Certified Australian Payroll Processor and Specialist. She holds a Bachelor’s in Accountancy from the Philippines and a Diploma in Accounting and Finance from the UK.
Elen is a diligent and detail-oriented finance professional with a knack for numbers and a passion for client satisfaction. With extensive experience in various roles spanning from the United Arab Emirates to the United Kingdom, Elen has honed her skills in financial management, client liaison, and team collaboration and is known for her proactive approach and exceptional time management abilities.
During her professional tenure, Elen has demonstrated proficiency in tasks ranging from accounts reconciliation, tax returns, payroll processing, and audit support, earning acclaim for her quality of service and dedication to achieving long-term client retention.Elen's strong analytical skills, coupled with her excellent communication and organizational abilities, make her a valuable asset to the Finance team.
Elen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Finance from the United Kingdom and presently serves as the Credit Controller for Abu Dhabi Reinsurance.
