Gallagher recently announced it has appointed Andy Winwood as Senior Executive Officer for the Middle East & Africa, subject to regulatory approval. In his new role Andy will be responsible for Gallagher’s business in the region, leading the 100+ colleagues which support clients across the Middle East and further building the global brokers’ presence.
Industry sources added that Andy joined Gallagher in 2025 bringing over 35 years’ experience in the insurance industry and extensive knowledge of the risk environment in the Middle East. He joined from the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco) where he was as a senior risk and insurance consultant.
Industry sources added that Gallagher first established a Middle East in-region presence in 2022 to provide specialty insurance, advice, and risk management services to clients across industry sectors including aerospace, construction, natural resources, financial services, and marine. Building on its presence in UAE, last month, Gallagher launched an in-country presence in Saudi Arabia.
Prior to this Andy held a number of senior broking and captive management roles in both the UK and Middle East, having commenced his career with a Lloyds broker in 1990. Andy will report to Simon Matson, Senior Vice President of Gallagher Global Broking.
Commenting on the news, Simon Matson said: “With his broad understanding of risk across different sectors, extensive market knowledge and years of hands-on experience in the region, Andy will be a fantastic SEO for our Middle East business. He has a proven track record of strong leadership and will provide stability and strong oversight as we steer our business forward. To be able to make this key appointment from our existing team speaks volumes about the talent we have in our business. Gallagher has strong growth aspirations in the Middle East as demonstrated by our recent investment in an on-the-ground team in Saudi Arabia, plus our increased investment in Ace Gallagher and we see significant opportunity for further expansion and growth under Andy’s stewardship.”
Andy Winwood added: “Taking the helm of Gallagher’s operations in the Middle East & Africa is a fantastic opportunity. Over the last four years the team has established its presence as an innovative insurance partner, able to draw on Gallagher’s global size and scale to provide the very best risk solutions to clients across the region. In my new position I will be focused on building on our proposition and services, bringing in new talent and ensuring our clients receive the foremost level of service.
As well as its specialty operations, Gallagher has a treaty and facultative reinsurance team in the region trading under the Gallagher Re brand along with a significant partnership with ACE Gallagher, in which it owns a 49% share to support businesses in the region with their insurance needs. ACE Gallagher is an insurance pioneer in the Middle East with roots dating back to 1952 and offices in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Lebanon and Greece.
