Howden Re secures Dubai licence to expand MEA presence

Howden Re has been granted a full reinsurance licence from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), significantly expanding its operations in the Middle East through the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

The licence allows Howden Re to build out its treaty, facultative, and MGA reinsurance offerings in the region, and reflects a broader strategy to deepen its footprint across growth markets worldwide.

The broker described the move as a “significant milestone” in its long-term commitment to the Middle East.

Julian Samengo-Turner, head of India, Middle East and Africa (IMEA), and Attilio Tornetta, newly appointed head of treaty and regional retro, MEA, will co-lead the expanded Dubai operations.

Sheena Kotecha, head of operations IMEA, has been named senior executive officer to ensure regulatory alignment with the DIFC’s internationally recognised governance standards.

Tornetta joined Howden Re in 2023 and will now focus on strengthening the firm’s treaty proposition and expanding its reach across the Middle East and Africa.

Samengo-Turner continues to lead the facultative and MGA portfolio, advising both mature and start-up operations across the IMEA region.

“We are delighted to expand into Dubai through DIFC, a strategic gateway to growth across the UAE and the wider MEASA region, supported by a robust regulatory framework,” said Tornetta.

“Our enhanced reinsurance operations in Dubai mark a significant milestone in our strategy. I look forward to working alongside Julian to strengthen our presence and deliver innovative, client-centric solutions across the region.”

The announcement comes on the heels of several recent moves by Howden Re to strengthen its position in international growth markets.

The broker recently launched a reinsurance operation in Saudi Arabia offering both treaty and facultative services, and expanded its footprint in South Africa and India under regional leaders Gary Ankorn and Minesh Jani, respectively.

Mario Baotic, head of international growth markets for Howden Re, said: “The Middle East is a rapidly evolving market, where demand for sophisticated reinsurance support is booming. We appreciate DIFC’s ongoing confidence in Howden and their partnership in enabling our growth through this license.

“This development clearly demonstrates Howden Re’s continued international expansion, our ambition to deepen our regional presence, and our commitment to delivering exceptional value to our clients globally. It marks a significant step forward in strengthening our global footprint and reinforcing our long-term strategy in key markets.”