ACE announced today that Giles Ward has been appointed Director of ACE’s operations in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA), effective from September 16th. Mr Ward will be based in the newly established regional head office in Bahrain and will report to Andrew Kendrick, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ACE European Group.
Mr Ward joins ACE from AXA Affin General Insurance Bhd in Malaysia where he was President/CEO since 2001. He has worked in the insurance industry for over 17 years, 12 of which he has been based in South East Asia, so he has a very good understanding of the dynamics of operating across countries as culturally diverse as Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia.
“We welcome Giles to the ACE organisation,” said John Keogh, Chief Executive Officer of ACE Overseas General. “Giles brings with him considerable international experience of managing an insurance company in emerging markets. He will have key responsibility for the implementation, coordination and delivery of our business expansion plans, both in existing operations and the development of new accident and health and property and casualty business opportunities.
“Giles joins ACE at an exciting time for the company as we expand our presence in the MENA region and look for further opportunities in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. ACE has had a presence in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan for over thirty years and set up life and non life operations in Egypt in 2001. Our new Bahrain office demonstrates ACE’s commitment to the MENA region and strengthens our ability as a truly global organisation.”