Global insurance broker Gallagher has appointed Andy Winwood as Senior Executive Officer (SEO) for the Middle East & Africa, subject to regulatory approval, as the company looks to strengthen its regional operations and expand its presence.
In his new role, Winwood will oversee Gallagher’s business across the region and lead more than 100 colleagues supporting clients across the Middle East. He will also be responsible for further developing the broker’s regional footprint.
Winwood joined Gallagher in 2025, bringing more than 35 years of experience in the insurance industry and extensive knowledge of the Middle East risk landscape. Before joining the company, he worked at Saudi Aramco as a senior risk and insurance consultant.
Earlier in his career, Winwood held senior broking and captive management positions across the UK and Middle East. He began his insurance career with a Lloyd’s broker in 1990.
Winwood will report to Simon Matson, Senior Vice President of Gallagher Global Broking.
Commenting on the appointment, Matson said Winwood’s understanding of risk across sectors, market knowledge and regional experience would support Gallagher’s next phase of growth. “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,” Matson said.
He added that the appointment of Winwood from within Gallagher reflected the talent within the business, while noting the company’s growth ambitions for the region.
Gallagher established an in-region Middle East presence in 2022, offering specialty insurance, risk management and advisory services to clients across sectors including aerospace, construction, natural resources, financial services and marine.
The company has continued to expand its regional footprint, launching an in-country presence in Saudi Arabia last month. Its regional operations also include a treaty and facultative reinsurance team operating under the Gallagher Re brand.
Gallagher also holds a 49% stake in ACE Gallagher, a regional insurance business with a presence across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Lebanon and Greece.
Winwood said his focus in the new role would be on strengthening Gallagher’s services, attracting new talent and maintaining high levels of client service across the region. “Taking the helm of Gallagher’s operations in the Middle East & Africa is a fantastic opportunity,” Winwood said, adding that he would build on the team’s regional presence and Gallagher’s global capabilities to deliver risk solutions to clients.
The leadership change comes as Gallagher increases investment in its Middle East operations, particularly in Saudi Arabia, and positions the region as an area for further growth.