Gallagher Re has appointed Eleena Lewis (pictured above) as senior broker for global facultative property in its Dubai International Financial Centre office, as the reinsurance broker looks to bolster its presence in one of the region's fastest-growing insurance hubs.
The appointment, which took effect in January 2026, comes as the DIFC continues to attract global re/insurance firms seeking access to markets across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
Lewis brings more than eight years of reinsurance experience in the DIFC market and holds the CERT CII professional designation.
Anthony Abi Fadel, associate director for global fac at Gallagher Re, said the hire reflects the company's ongoing investment in its facultative property capabilities, citing Lewis's broking background as a factor in the appointment.
The move coincides with a period of rapid expansion for the financial center. According to DIFC Authority, gross written premiums jumped 35% from US$2.6 billion to US$3.5 billion during 2024, with the number of insurance and reinsurance-related entities rising to 135 firms by mid-2025 – an 8% increase from the prior year.
Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, has said the center is "well-positioned to broaden and deepen its role as the region's leading insurance hub."
The broader UAE re/insurance sector grew by 21% in 2024 and is projected to expand by another 20% in 2025, driven by demand for enhanced digital distribution and coverage innovation following recent extreme weather events.
Prior to joining Gallagher Re, Lewis spent nearly four years at Kingdom Brokerage Re in Dubai, where she served as senior broker from January 2025 to January 2026. Before that, she worked at Arab-European Reinsurance Brokers Ltd in DIFC for approximately four years as senior account executive.
Lewis began her career outside the reinsurance sector, holding roles at Etisalat and du in Dubai before joining the industry in 2018.
The appointment also follows Gallagher Re's December 2025 launch of a dedicated captives risk transfer team within its global facultative unit, aimed at connecting clients with traditional and alternative capital sources.
