West of England P&I Club has opened a new office in Dubai, its first in the Middle East and the seventh in its global network.
The office launch, celebrated with a Nov. 4 event at Attiko Dubai, welcomed members, brokers, board representatives, and regional dignitaries.
This development marks a strategic milestone for West as the first International Group (IG) Club to establish a base in the Middle East, reflecting the region’s increasing prominence in the global maritime industry.
West’s expansion also aligns with its focus on the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent, which collectively represent 14.5% of the club’s entered tonnage. The company anticipates significant growth from these regions over the next decade as it strengthens its market position.
Tom Bowsher (pictured right), group CEO of West, emphasised the importance of regional expansion in the club’s strategy.
“Regionalisation is a key part of our strategy, and this office has further enhanced the quality and personal touch of our services to existing members, as well as supporting our new business development in the region across all product lines,” he said.
Capt. Gagan Dhillon, appointed CEO of the Dubai office, will lead regional operations.
Dhillon, who joins from another IG P&I Club, has over 27 years of experience in shipping, including roles as a master mariner and shoreside leadership since 2010.
He is supported by Sotiris Tzintanos, a bilingual legal expert, and Enam Hussain, who has been promoted to head of Middle East operations and offshore.
Hussain will oversee operational coordination for the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, Turkey, and Africa, as well as manage a new offshore team to serve this growing segment.
The Dubai office will handle claims and member relations for the Gulf region, UAE, and Indian subcontinent. It will work in conjunction with the club’s established claims teams in London and Piraeus.
Underwriting and business development will continue to be overseen from London by regional heads Nigel Burridge and Gary Henderson, who will coordinate closely with the Dubai-based team.
Dhillon highlighted Dubai’s increasing significance in maritime trade.
“I am delighted to have joined West to run the new office in the UAE. Dubai is an increasingly important and vibrant hub of shipping in the Middle East and Indian subcontinent. This base and the local team position us at the heart of a growing maritime market for owners, charterers, and traders,” he said.
The new premises are located in Central Park Towers in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), which recently reported $2.6 billion in gross written premiums (GWP) for 2023, a 23% increase compared to the previous year and the highest in its history.
The expansion aligns with the UAE’s initiatives to strengthen its position as a global maritime hub.
Dubai, ranked third after Singapore and London as a preferred location for maritime headquarters, benefits from its strategic geographic position, advanced infrastructure, and focus on technology and innovation.
