Gallagher has named Andy Winwood (pictured) as senior executive for its Middle East and Africa operations, a move aimed at strengthening the company’s regional leadership and market presence.
Winwood will work closely with Nadim Semaan, senior executive officer, to oversee the firm’s business activities – with a particular focus on large accounts, market engagement, and business development.
Winwood’s appointment follows a 35-year career in insurance, including 14 years at Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco), where he served as a senior Insurance and Risk Consultant. His responsibilities at Aramco included advising both global affiliates and joint venture entities on risk and insurance matters.
Prior to his time at Aramco, Winwood held senior broking positions in the UK and Middle East, starting his career at Lloyd’s market firm Fenchurch Insurance Brokers, which became part of Gallagher through the acquisition of Heath Lambert in 2011.
Gallagher, which established its Middle East operations in 2022, now has a team of more than 80 risk professionals in the region.
The company provides specialty and facultative insurance, as well as risk management services, to clients in industries such as aerospace, construction, energy, renewables, financial services, and marine.
Semaan said Winwood’s appointment is expected to strengthen Gallagher’s regional operations, citing his comprehensive risk expertise, in-depth market familiarity, and significant experience in the insurance sector.
“He will play a pivotal leadership role in building the business and his expertise will provide a springboard for further expansion,” he said. “This announcement reinforces our commitment to bringing clients the very best expertise available and Gallagher remains committed to delivering best-in-class service and insurance knowledge to our clients in the region.”
Winwood remarked that joining Gallagher presented a compelling opportunity, given the company’s rapid growth and established presence in the region.
“Nadim and the team have firmly established a strong regional presence and its growth since launch is enviable. Having been based in the Middle East for much of my career, I am fortunate to have a good insight to the culture and have worked on a wide range of large, complex, and demanding projects. Gallagher is well placed to build on its success to date, given its focus on providing clients with technical insurance know-how, tailored products and services,” he said.
Gallagher’s leadership announcement coincides with heightened attention to risk management strategies among companies operating in the Middle East.
Recent analysis from Aon highlights the need for organisations to regularly assess and update their insurance arrangements in response to ongoing geopolitical and logistical challenges in the region.
Aon’s insight note points to the importance of operational oversight and contingency planning to ensure business continuity.
The report suggests that the current environment requires not only traditional insurance coverage but also an increased focus on adaptability and resilience.
Persistent geopolitical uncertainty is leading to greater demand for flexible insurance solutions, especially in marine, cargo, and political risk lines.
The report encourages businesses to review their risk profiles and maintain up-to-date insurance policies for key locations.
It also recommends that companies evaluate the impact of changes in supply chains, shipping routes, and security protocols on their risk transfer strategies. This process involves continuous risk analysis, collaboration between logistics, legal, and insurance teams, and proactive compliance planning.
Clear communication and defined responsibilities among insurers, brokers, risk engineers, and operational staff are seen as critical for effective disruption response.
