Howden Reinsurance Saudi Arabia Secures Regulatory Approval
Howden, a global leader in insurance broking, has taken a significant step in expanding its Middle East operations by receiving regulatory approval to offer reinsurance brokerage services in Saudi Arabia. This strategic development aligns with Howden’s broader plan to strengthen its regional presence and capitalize on high-growth markets, with Saudi Arabia identified as a key priority.
The approval from the Saudi Insurance Authority (IA) enables Howden to deliver specialized reinsurance solutions and strategic risk consulting services to clients across the Kingdom, firmly positioning the company as a leading participant in the region’s insurance sector evolution.
Howden Reinsurance Saudi Arabia: A Timely Market Entry
The launch of Howden Reinsurance Saudi Arabia comes at a pivotal time. The Kingdom’s insurance industry is undergoing rapid transformation, supported by Vision 2030 and a wave of regulatory reforms that aim to boost resilience, transparency, and innovation.
This license allows Howden to serve a broad range of clients—including insurers, corporates, and public-sector organizations—with bespoke reinsurance offerings that meet global standards. It also reflects strong confidence by the IA in Howden’s operational integrity, governance practices, and global expertise.
Experienced Leadership at the Helm: Motaz Bukhari Appointed
To lead Howden Re KSA, the group has appointed Motaz Bukhari as Managing Director. Bukhari is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in Saudi Arabia’s reinsurance market, having held key leadership roles at Marsh Guy Carpenter, including his most recent position as Deputy Managing Director.
His deep understanding of the Saudi market, combined with his expertise in reinsurance program design and portfolio management, makes him the ideal leader to steer Howden Reinsurance Saudi Arabia toward sustainable growth and market relevance. Under his leadership, clients will benefit from locally grounded yet globally informed service delivery.
Expanding Reinsurance Services Through Howden Reinsurance Saudi Arabia
With its new license, Howden Reinsurance Saudi Arabia will offer a comprehensive suite of services designed to address the unique and evolving needs of the Saudi market. These include:
Treaty and facultative reinsurance placements
Structured and alternative risk solutions
Risk modeling, analytics, and capital optimization
Claims advocacy and strategic advisory services
The company also intends to serve key economic sectors—such as energy, infrastructure, health, and logistics—by aligning risk transfer strategies with project-specific objectives and compliance mandates.
By combining global reach with local expertise, Howden Reinsurance Saudi Arabia aims to empower clients with smarter, data-driven reinsurance solutions tailored to Saudi Arabia’s dynamic business environment.
Strengthening Regional Presence and Compliance Focus
This Saudi market entry adds to Howden’s growing Middle East network, which already includes strong operations in the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar. The expansion reflects Howden’s strategic model centered on employee ownership, local empowerment, and client-first innovation.
At the same time, the Saudi license supports the government’s initiatives to attract global expertise, elevate industry professionalism, and strengthen regulatory compliance. Howden Reinsurance Saudi Arabia’s approval reinforces the IA’s efforts to enhance market discipline, governance, and risk awareness within the Kingdom’s insurance framework.
The Role of the Insurance Authority in Supporting Market Evolution
The Insurance Authority (IA) plays a vital role in ensuring that only qualified, compliant, and capable brokers participate in the Saudi insurance and reinsurance markets. The licensing of Howden Reinsurance Saudi Arabia demonstrates the IA’s trust in Howden’s ability to meet high standards of corporate governance, technical capability, and operational transparency.
The presence of internationally recognized firms like Howden aligns with the regulator’s broader goal of integrating the Kingdom’s insurance sector into the global financial system—delivering value, stability, and expertise to local markets.
Long-Term Impact of Howden Reinsurance Saudi Arabia
The establishment of Howden Reinsurance Saudi Arabia is expected to have lasting benefits for the Kingdom’s reinsurance landscape, including:
Increased availability of client-specific reinsurance solutions
Enhanced competitiveness and innovation in risk management
Transfer of global best practices into the local ecosystem
Development of local talent in analytics, underwriting, and claims
Improved capital efficiency and claims processes for clients
With more advanced tools and advisory services now available locally, Saudi companies can better manage catastrophic exposures and optimize reinsurance purchasing decisions.
Conclusion: Howden Reinsurance Saudi Arabia Marks a Strategic Milestone
The launch of Howden Reinsurance Saudi Arabia is more than a regulatory approval—it’s a strategic leap forward in strengthening reinsurance capacity in one of the region’s most promising markets. With Motaz Bukhari leading the local team, and a full range of services now accessible under a licensed and well-regulated structure, Howden is poised to become a trusted partner to Saudi insurers and corporates.
As Saudi Arabia continues its journey toward a more diversified and robust economy, the entry of Howden brings world-class reinsurance solutions that support growth, resilience, and financial innovation. This milestone further solidifies Howden’s role as a catalyst for change in global insurance broking.
