Judging Process
The judging process is rigorous and thorough to ensure that all the entries receive full consideration and that the true winners are chosen.
Judges have the discretionary power to move submissions into alternative categories that they think may be more suitable. All judges are required to sign a disclaimer form to keep information about companies and the final winners confidential.
The judging panel
The panel of expert judges are carefully selected for their wealth of experience and expertise, as well as their absence of conflicts of interest. Below you will find a list of our judges for 2015.
Ahmed Rajab, Aon BenfieldAhmed was appointed in 2012 as CEO of AON Benfield Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. Ahmed started his career in 1997 as a treaty underwriter with Sorema Paris, where he was responsible for underwriting business in the MENA region. Prior to joining Aon Benfield, he worked for Willis Re as Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. Ahmed has built a professional and longstanding relationship with most insurers and reinsurers operating in the Middle East over the last 17 years.
Wayne Jones, Clyde & CoWayne Jones is a partner based in Clyde & Co’s Dubai office, from where he heads up Clyde & Co’s re/insurance team in the region. Wayne has been in the UAE since 2001. During this time he spent five years in Abu Dhabi assisting with the set-up of Clyde &Co's Abu Dhabi office. Wayne is a recognised specialist in the GCC region for insurance and reinsurance work, and has a broad regional practice advising local and foreign insurance interests on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters, across the GCC and wider Middle East region.
Robin Ali, Dubai Health AuthorityRobin is a highly qualified and experienced insurance professional having served the industry in diverse roles for over 27 years, the last nine being in the Middle East. He is currently a key figure in the development and implementation of the 2013 Health Insurance Law of the Government of Dubai. Prior to joining DHA to develop the regulatory framework for health insurance and facilitate the roll out of mandatory health insurance for the Emirate, he worked for Ernst & Young’s Insurance Advisory practice on engagements for international and regional insurers, reinsurers and regional regulatory authorities. Prior to this he spent four years in the regional broking market after 20 years experience in the UK insurance business. His work has focused on pensions, life, investments, medical and motor. Robin has been judge on a number of awards panels. He is an Associate of The CII’s Personal Finance Society and a member of the Society of Trusts and Estate Planning.
Christoper Pleasant, Guy CarpenterChris Pleasant is Managing Director of Guy Carpenter for the Middle East and North Africa, responsible for teams in London and Dubai. He has extensive experience of advising , structuring and placing reinsurance programmes for insurers, reinsurers, takaful and retakaful companies across the whole region. Chris has worked in the region for more than 20 years.
Mahomed Akoob, Hannover ReTakafulMr Akoob joined Munich Reinsurance Company of Africa in 1976 and worked in various short-term insurance and claims underwriting departments. He was further more responsible for the management of the Fire Department and later for the Marine Department. His responsibilities included Corporate Finance, Investments, Information Technology and Reinsurance. He was also instrumental in establishing the first Takaful Company in South Africa.
Ken Maw, JLTKen Maw spearheads Insure Direct (Brokers) LLC as its original founding partner and Managing Director. He has over 33 years of experience in insurance brokerage and consultancy services of which 31 have been in the Gulf. Insure Direct (Brokers) LLC has recently become the retail arm of Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group PLC (JLT) in the MENA region strengthening Ken’s regional responsibilities. Under Ken’s leadership, Insure Direct was nominated by Euromoney as the ‘Best Broker Middle East’ in 2009 and by MENA Insurance Review ‘Best Commercial Lines Broker of the Year’ for 3 consecutive years in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Ken was also listed on the ‘Power 50’ of the most influential industry leaders within the MENA region.
David T. Youssef, Now Health InternationalDavid has over 20 years’ experience in the international health insurance market and was the Deputy Group Managing Director and Managing Director of the Middle East and Africa region for Goodhealth Worldwide, which subsequently was acquired by Aetna. David joined Goodhealth in 2000, bringing with him extensive experience and industry knowledge, building the Goodhealth business in both the Gulf region and Africa to a leading position within its niche . David is well known as a thought-leader and is a respected figure in his market and can regularly be found speaking about the nature and future of the industry.
Brian Reilly, Zurich
Brian Reilly is CEO of the General Insurance (GI) business for Zurich Insurance Company Ltd in the Middle East as well as holding the position of Country CEO Middle East, which oversees Zurich’s shared Life and GI services in the region. Brian is responsible for leading Zurich’s GI team in the Middle East and further developing the strategy and building local capabilities to enable Zurich to realise its ambitious growth plans in the region. Brian brings strong leadership skills, a passion for customers and vast experience in both emerging and mature markets to this critical role in one of Zurich’s growth markets.
Diane Walker, Arab Insurance Institute
Mrs. Diane Walker has been an insurance professional for over 40 years, serving it in a variety of roles; Fire & Liability Underwriter, commercial brokerage owner, Director of Insurance Studies & senior university lecturer, Head of an Insurance & Risk Management faculty and a freelance trainer, coach and consultant, bringing together practical insurance experience, a solid academic foundation and international experience in the design and delivery of insurance & management training programmes.
Ewen McRobbie, QIC International
Andrew Smith, RAK Insurance
George Kabban, UIB (DIFC)
Paul Holmes, Al Futtaim Willis Co
Vasilis Katsipis, AM Best
James Portelli, Independent
Michael Kortbawi, Bin Shabib & Associates
