Howden Re has obtained a full reinsurance license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to operate from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
The approval enables the global reinsurance, capital markets, and strategic advisory business of Howden Group to expand its operations in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
The expanded Dubai platform will build on existing broking services, with an emphasis on treaty, facultative, and managing general agent (MGA) reinsurance offerings.
The Dubai operations will be co-led by Julian Samengo‑Turner, head of IMEA, who will continue to oversee facultative and MGA broking, and Attilio Tornetta (pictured above), newly appointed head of treaty & regional retro, MEA.
Sheena Kotecha, head of operations IMEA, has been named senior executive officer, responsible for aligning operations with DIFC’s regulatory and governance requirements.
Tornetta, who joined the company in 2023 as managing director for the Middle East and Africa, will focus on expanding the treaty business and increasing Howden Re’s footprint in the region. Samengo‑Turner will continue to develop facultative business and provide reinsurance broking, strategic, and capital advisory services to both established and start‑up MGAs.
The UAE broking team now exceeds 200 professionals, with established offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and a reinsurance unit based in DIFC, known as Howden Specialty.
The license adds to Howden Re’s recent expansions in other growth markets. The company has launched a dedicated reinsurance operation in Saudi Arabia offering treaty, facultative, and strategic advisory services in data, analytics, and capital markets.
It has also expanded in South Africa under Gary Ankorn and strengthened its presence in India under Minesh Jani, Head of Reinsurance India.
Meanwhile, Howden Group reported adjusted revenue of £3.01 billion for the year ending Sept. 30, 2024, representing 23 % growth year‑on‑year. The reinsurance segment contributed a 30 % increase in revenue, highlighting the impact of international expansion and strategic acquisitions on the firm’s top line.
Tornetta said the move into Dubai via the DIFC provides a strategic base for regional growth and will support efforts to develop the business across the UAE and the wider MEASA region.
“I look forward to working alongside Julian to strengthen our presence and deliver innovative, client-centric solutions across the region. Together, we will continue to drive Howden Re’s ambition to build a market-leading platform and deliver long-term value throughout the Middle East and Africa,” Tornetta said.
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