Ardonagh Group has appointed Antonio El Hokayem as CEO of Antarah, its managing general agency (MGA) subsidiary, as the insurance group looks to strengthen its specialty proposition across the Middle East and Africa.
El Hokayem joins Antarah from Gallagher, where he held several positions since 2022, including Financial Lines Director for the Middle East and Africa and Head of Specialty for Saudi Arabia. He brings experience spanning underwriting, placement and portfolio management.
Before joining Gallagher, El Hokayem spent three years at Zurich as a Financial Lines Underwriter. He began his insurance career as a broker at Chedid Re.
Ardonagh Group CEO David Ross said the appointment would support the development of the group's proposition across the Middle East and Africa, where he said demand for specialty insurance solutions continues to grow.
El Hokayem said his focus would be on building Antarah into a multi-line specialty MGA serving clients across the region. He also pointed to technology and AI-enabled underwriting as areas that could improve decision-making, underwriting efficiency and the client experience.
“Central to our vision is exploring how technology and AI-enabled underwriting capabilities can support smarter decision-making, greater underwriting efficiency and a seamless client experience,” El Hokayem said.
Antarah is an authorised Lloyd’s of London Coverholder and operates as an MGA and reinsurance intermediary across Middle Eastern and African markets. Its multi-line offering is supported by “A”-rated binding authorities and Lloyd’s of London capacity.
The appointment remains subject to customary regulatory approvals.