charting the course post-crisis

day one
sunday 7th march
11:00 panel debate: the financial crisis and its
lessons for gcc insurers – impact on strategy
and operations
Chair of the panel YASSIR ALBAHARNA
Chief Executive Officer, Arab Insurance Group
Yassir Albaharna graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor degree in Engineering (Mechanical) from McGill University
in Montreal and then in 1986 obtained dual Masters in Engineering (Manufacturing) and an M.B.A (High Honors)
from Boston University. He subsequently joined the Arab Insurance Group (Arig) in 1987 and was elected as
“Fellow” and “Chartered Insurer” of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) in 1993.
Yassir worked within the reinsurance division of Arig during his entire working career and assumed various
underwriting and managerial positions. Throughout, he has travelled extensively and represented Arig in
numerous regional and international forums.
Yassir is currently the CEO of Arig, Chairman of Arig Insurance Company Limited (UK), Chairman of Arima
Insurance Software (Bahrain), Chairman of Gulf Warranties (Bahrain), Board member of Takaful Re (Dubai
International Financial Center) and Board member of the Arab Jordanian Insurance Group (Amman). He is also
a Board member of the International Insurance Society (New York), Vice Chairman of the Bahrain Insurance
Association, Board member of Bahrain’s Specific Council for Vocational Training (Banking Sector) as well as Board
of Trustees of Bahrain’s Human Resources Development Fund (Banking & Financial Sector).
Panellists
BASSAM HUSSEIN
General Manager, Doha Insurance
Bassam has 25 years experience in insurance and reinsurance industry. He is a chemical engineer and an
Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London. He spent ten years as an energy underwriter
responsible for an international energy book of business and a further ten years in the direct insurance market
being responsible for underwriting government and major accounts. Mr Hussein is also an Executive Member
of the GCC Insurance Coordination Committee; and a Member of the Technical Committee of AWRIS (Arab War
Reinsurance syndicate).
CHRISTIAN KRAUT
Chief Executive Officer, Middle East & Africa, Munich Re
Christian Kraut is Chief Executive for Middle East, Africa in Munich Re’s Germany, Asia Pacific and Africa
Division. Christian has more than 20 years experience in the reinsurance industry. He joined Munich Re in
1989 as a Marketing Specialist in the Middle East, Far East and Australia Division. Before assuming his current
function, he worked as Senior Executive and Client Executive in Munich Re’s MENA Department and for 7 years
in Munich Re’s Taipei Office as Treaty Manager and as from 1999 as General Manager. He represents Munich
Re in the Board of Directors of Saudi National Insurance Company, KSA, Jordan Insurance Company, Jordan and
since May 2009 he is a Director at Munich Re of Africa, South Africa.
SAAD MERED
Chief Executive Officer, Zurich Middle East
Saad Mered (born 1967) is the CEO Middle East for Zurich Insurance Company (“Zurich”). Joining Zurich in
January 2009, he will oversee all of Zurich’s operations in the Middle East and focus on launching General
Insurance capabilities in the region. He will also be introducing Zurich’s vast array of specialty products and
solutions to large corporate customers and their local insurers to support them in countering complex risks in
the local market. Saad started his professional insurance career at AIG in 1994, where he held various positions
during his long tenure with the company, from financial lines underwriting and running AIG’s Egypt operations
to holding a global role in the implementation of their small business strategy. He holds a Juris Doctorate from
Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley.
12