Gallagher Re has appointed Riaan Botes (pictured above) as regional director for its South Africa operations. The appointment is part of the firm’s efforts to strengthen its presence in the country’s reinsurance market.
Botes brings more than 25 years of reinsurance experience to the role, including prior leadership and actuarial positions at major South African insurers. He most recently served as head of underwriting at Santam Re from January 2022 through December 2024. Before that, he spent over a decade as a Reinsurance Actuary at Santam Insurance, beginning in 2012.
In his new role, Botes will be responsible for advancing Gallagher Re’s client engagement and operational capabilities across South Africa. His experience in underwriting and actuarial functions, combined with his familiarity with the regional market, is expected to inform his leadership approach as the firm looks to expand its reinsurance offerings in the country.
Botes is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and completed his actuarial studies between 1998 and 2003. He is based in Cape Town.
Last year, Gallagher Re expanded its services in South Africa by entering the life reinsurance market. This move was facilitated by obtaining a Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) license from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA).
Elsewhere, Gallagher Re also appointed Thomas Dubecq as its new head of international regional retro, effective this month. Based in Greater London, Dubecq brings over 25 years of experience in the reinsurance sector, with a career focused on treaty reinsurance and retrocession.
Meanwhile, James Vickers, chairman of Gallagher Re International, also announced his departure from the firm on May 31 after a 47-year career in the global reinsurance industry.
Vickers has held leadership roles in the reinsurance sector for decades, most recently overseeing Gallagher Re’s international operations. Over the past 25 years, he has contributed to expanding a network of local offices across more than 30 countries.
Gallagher Re International has not revealed plans for who will succeed Vickers following his retirement.
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