Lockton MENA appoints United Arab Emirates CEO for retail
Lockton Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) has appointed Adeeb Al Naser to the role of United Arab Emirates CEO for their retail insurance operations.
Since joining Lockton as Regional Head of Distribution, MENA, in 2020, Adeeb has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth across the region, reinforcing its reputation for tailored insurance solutions and exceptional client service.
As part of its strategic growth plans, Lockton MENA has actively expanded its insurance portfolio and investment in market expansion initiatives to meet the evolving needs of clients. In his new role as CEO, Adeeb will lead the company’s efforts in one of its fastest-growing markets, building on Lockton’s entrepreneurial culture to drive innovative solutions and best-in-class service.
Adeeb has over 17 years of experience in insurance and financial services in the MENA region and is a highly accomplished industry leader with a track record of driving growth and innovation. With a leadership team dedicated to sustainable growth, the company is well-positioned to further its success in the region.
Lockton appoints General Manager for Lockton MENA North Africa
Lockton MENA continues to strengthen its presence in North Africa with the appointment of Fady Khawam as General Manager, heading Lockton MENA’s reinsurance strategy in North Africa.
With over 20 years of leadership experience in the insurance and reinsurance industry, Fady has a proven track record of driving market expansion, developing tailored reinsurance strategies, and overseeing large-scale operations. His expertise in facultative reinsurance solutions across Africa makes him a valuable addition to Lockton’s leadership team.
North Africa is a key market for Lockton, as demand for specialised risk transfer solutions increases within the region. Fady’s appointment reflects the company’s focus on delivering technical expertise, strengthening partnerships with insurers and intermediaries, and expanding its portfolio of reinsurance solutions tailored to the area’s evolving risk landscape.
Based in Casablanca, Morocco, Fady will lead Lockton’s wholesale and reinsurance strategy across North Africa, focusing on market development, operational excellence, and delivering innovative risk transfer solutions.
Lockton MENA hires Head of Power and Infrastructure
Sunil Machado joins Lockton with over 23 years of international experience in the risk management and insurance sector. He brings a wealth of expertise from his time as the Regional Head of Risk and Insurance at ENGIE Asia Middle East Africa, where he structured risk and insurance solutions that contributed toward financing 30 power projects in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. These projects ranged from M&A, greenfield, brownfield, combined cycles, renewables, desalination, and refinancing. Prior to ENGIE, Sunil worked with AXA, Royal and Sun Alliance, and Zurich, as well as, Nakheel Asset Management in the risk management department.
Throughout his career, Sunil has been recognised for his technical knowledge in both risk and insurance, as well as, his commercial acumen in both the contractual and claims arenas.
In his new role as Lockton MENA’s Head of Power and Infrastructure, he will focus on driving innovation, building client and reinsurer relationships, and leading key segment specific and enterprise-wide initiatives throughout the region.
Lockton MENA launches China Desk in collaboration with Chinese Reinsurance Team
Lockton MENA has launched a China Desk, a strategic collaboration with Lockton’s Chinese reinsurance team aimed at supporting the growing presence of Chinese enterprises in MENA — particularly within infrastructure sectors, such as energy, logistics, and construction.
Leading the initiative is Janet Ming, based in Dubai, who brings over 30 years of experience in commercial banking and cross-border business development. Her previous roles include Managing Director of China Outbound Business at Standard Chartered Bank, as well as, leadership positions at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, RBS, and Arab Banking Corporation.
Janet will serve as the main liaison between Lockton’s regional offices and Chinese stakeholders, offering tailored risk advisory and insurance solutions while bridging cultural and regulatory gaps. Her appointment reinforces Lockton’s commitment to aligning global expertise with regional possibilities, and advancing Chinese investment opportunities across the MENA region.
For further questions, please contact Janet at: janet.ming@lockton.com
Lockton and Lockton Re attend DWIC 2025
By reimagining the traditional conference model, the Dubai World Insurance Congress (DWIC) 2025 offered an exceptional forum for networking, business development, and thought leadership. Bringing together senior executives, industry pioneers, and key decision-makers, the event fostered insightful discussions, facilitated strategic partnerships, and explored emerging trends. With a dynamic agenda designed to inspire innovation, DWIC provided an unparalleled opportunity to shape the future of insurance — all within a single venue in the heart of Dubai.
At DWIC 2025, as Gold Sponsors, Lockton and Lockton Re were proud to bring independent thinking to the Middle East’s risk and insurance dialogue. We remain committed to continuing to support the region’s dynamic growth and help its insurers, reinsurers, and corporate clients seize new opportunities with confidence.
Giving back this Ramadan: Lockton in action across MENA
This Ramadan, Lockton teams across the MENA region collaborated to support community initiatives that reflect our shared values of compassion and service.
In the UAE, we partnered with The Giving Family and Red Crescent to provide Iftar meals, the fast-breaking evening meal of Muslims in Ramadan, to those in need. Our Associates volunteered to help prepare and distribute meals — embracing the spirit of giving that defines the holy month.
Similarly, Lockton Egypt led a month-long food assistance project focused on quality over quantity. Working with local organisations in Aswan, the team carefully planned and packed food boxes, distributing them across five islands. The initiative was so well received that many recipients asked for ‘Lockton Boxes’.
We're proud of the impact made this Ramadan, and look forward to expanding our efforts in the years to come.
Wael Khatib Scholarship in 2025
Now in its fourth year, the Wael Khatib Scholarship stands as a distinguished academic award established by Lockton MENA in collaboration with Bayes Business School. Created in memory of Wael Khatib, Lockton MENA’s founder, the scholarship reflects his lifelong dedication to education and professional growth.
Wael Khatib was a distinguished leader within the insurance industry, displaying strong passion, integrity, and commitment to nurturing talent. As a proud alumnus of Bayes Business School, he believed deeply in the power of education as a springboard for career success, and consistently inspired others to pursue learning with purpose.
The Wael Khatib Scholarship offers financial support to outstanding students pursuing advanced degrees in insurance and risk management. By investing in promising talent, it aims to shape the future of the industry and foster the next generation of leaders.
The scholarship is closely tied to Bayes' prestigious MSc Insurance and Risk Management programme and has grown in reputation since its launch. Abeer Hajji, the first recipient, graduated with distinction in 2023 and set a remarkable precedent that has continued with each successive scholar.
"Pursuing my Master’s at Bayes Business School has been an enriching academic journey, further deepening my understanding of Insurance and Risk Management. I am truly grateful for the support that has enabled me to focus on achieving academic excellence and will allow me to contribute meaningfully to the industry."
- Kevin Vinoy, 2024-25 Wael Khatib Scholarship recipient
“With the generous support of the Wael Khatib Scholarship from Lockton MENA, I'm proud to have achieved distinction at Bayes Business School.”
- Amany El Shamy, 2023-24 Wael Khatib Scholarship recipient
Lockton MENA introduces Risk Engineering team
Lockton MENA has introduced a dedicated Risk Engineering team to meet rising client needs for technical risk advisory services among the power, oil and gas, and civil engineering industries. This strategic move enhances our ability to deliver a full-service offering across complex industries throughout MENA, the Commonwealth of Independent States countries, and Pakistan.
The team currently consists of two specialist engineers, with a third focused on the power sector. Each brings deep, sector-specific expertise, working closely with clients to proactively identify and mitigate operational risks.
Risk engineers play a vital role in helping companies manage hazards before, during, and after an incident. They assess facilities, equipment, and operational processes, pinpointing potential risks to people, property, and business continuity. Their insights are captured in detailed risk improvement reports and estimated loss calculations — helping clients to implement preventive measures and enhance insurability. These assessments also support underwriters in making more informed decisions — adding value across the insurance ecosystem.
While their work is primarily a complementary service, the team's technical insight strengthens our offering and supports the increasing sophistication of Lockton MENA’s client base. For Associates, this added layer of expertise enables more confident conversations, tailored solutions, and stronger client relationships.
Looking ahead, the opportunity for growth is substantial. With demand expected to rise sharply over the next five years, Lockton MENA plans to expand the team and double coverage across all disciplines to meet client needs and support business development.
The Risk Engineering team is already making a meaningful impact — enhancing our service capabilities and reinforcing our position as a trusted partner in risk across the region.
MENA to break USD$100 billion in M&A deal value for the first time
The M&A landscape in the MENA region has reached a pivotal inflection point, with 2025 projected to be the first year regional deal value breaks the USD$100 billion barrier. Notably, over half of this volume is being driven by outbound transactions — a testament to the region’s growing global investment footprint and strategic ambition.
Lockton MENA has been at the heart of this surge, supporting a record number of M&A mandates across key outbound markets in Europe and North America. Several live mandates remain underway as we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, with a particularly strong pipeline shaped by both deepening relationships and early-stage client engagement.
At the forefront of this activity are Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), both of which are aggressively deploying capital into global markets. Lockton MENA has forged meaningful partnerships with many of these entities, supporting their cross-border investment strategies with tailored Transaction Risk Insurance (TRI) solutions.
Domestically, the story is just as compelling. Local and pan-regional transactions are increasingly leveraging TRI to mitigate deal risk, as awareness of the product grows among corporates, investors, and their advisors. The 2024/25 financial year has been Lockton MENA’s busiest to date for M&A engagements, with a significant uptick in early involvement on both buy-side and sell-side mandates. This momentum is expected to carry through 2025/26, buoyed by a stable regional macroeconomic outlook and heightened corporate appetite for regional expansion.
The success of Lockton MENA’s practice is not in isolation. Seamless collaboration across Lockton’s global Transactional Risks teams has enabled the delivery of holistic, high-impact solutions for our clients — often against complex, fast-moving deal timelines. These cross-border efforts continue to be a cornerstone of our value proposition, particularly in a region where TRI is still an evolving concept.
TRI penetration across the MENA market is at an all-time high. International expertise and top-tier advisory talent are increasingly gravitating toward the region — drawn by its pro-business policies, robust governance frameworks, and strong international connectivity.
With deal volumes climbing and confidence rising, Lockton MENA is proud to be playing a pivotal role in shaping the next chapter of MENA’s M&A journey.