QBE Re has announced a series of leadership appointments as part of its updated organizational structure, which is now divided across three regional markets and three product lines.
In the newly defined market structure, Abdallah Balbeisi has been named executive director for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), where he will oversee offices in Dubai, Brussels and Dublin. Balbeisi joined QBE in 2020 from Aspen and has more than 25 years of industry experience.
Mark Jackaman has been appointed executive director of International, overseeing the Lloyd’s and Bermuda platforms. He was most recently general manager for London and has been with QBE Re for 13 years as part of his 27-year industry tenure.
Salvatore Sama will serve as executive director for North America. Based in New York, he previously led QBE Re’s global casualty business. Sama joined QBE after spending 10 years at Swiss Re and has over 20 years of financial services experience.
On the product side, QBE Re has also made key appointments. Jane Farren has been named executive director, global casualty, effective July 1. Farren was previously global head of financial professional lines and has worked in QBE Re’s New York office for four years. She previously held positions at Aspen and Swiss Re.
Shane Lawlor has been named executive director, global specialty. The specialty portfolio includes accident and health, life, marine and aviation, and other specialty lines. Lawlor joined QBE in 2015 from Catlin and was most recently head of specialty in London.
Andy Richardson will serve as executive director, global property. He joined QBE Re in 2023 from Aeolus Capital Management in Bermuda, where he was a portfolio manager. Richardson has also held senior positions at Lancashire Insurance and Guy Carpenter and was previously head of underwriting for QBE Re’s Bermuda office.
All six roles will report to Chris Killourhy, managing director of QBE Re.
“The new leadership model ensures all products and markets are represented by an empowered team which allows QBE Re to be a more agile, consistent and relevant partner for our brokers and cedants,” Killourhy said.
Additional leadership roles within QBE Re include Jamie Cook as chief partnership officer, Debbi Wood as head of claims, Andrew Guarnori as head of underwriting oversight, and Ash Ahluwalia as head of performance and portfolio management. These positions collectively form QBE Re’s underwriting leadership team.
QBE Re also announced that Tracey Gibbons has been appointed to the newly created position of global head of strategic development. Gibbons was previously general manager of Bermuda and joined QBE in 2021 from SiriusPoint. She brings over four decades of experience to the new role. In addition, Richardson will take on the position of general manager of Bermuda in addition to his global property responsibilities.
At the group level, QBE Capital underwent a leadership transition in May, with the appointment of Christopher Harris as chair. Harris succeeded Dave Duclos and brings decades of experience in reinsurance and capital markets.
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