Ardonagh Group Appointed Antonio El Hokayem as Antarah CEO
The Ardonagh Group has tapped Antonio El Hokayem to lead its specialty insurance managing general agent, Antarah.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in People
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The Ardonagh Group has appointed Antonio El Hokayem as the new Chief Executive Officer of Antarah. Antarah operates as a Lloyd's of London coverholder providing specialized multi-lines insurance products.
Why it matters
The appointment supports the strategic expansion of The Ardonagh Group as it looks to build its specialty solutions presence across the Middle East and Africa regions. The move aims to leverage new leadership to drive growth in these emerging markets.
The transition follows El Hokayem's three-year tenure at Zurich and his more recent experience at Gallagher. The appointment remains subject to pending regulatory approvals.
The players
Antonio El Hokayem
He is the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Antarah who previously held roles at Gallagher, Zurich, and Chedid Re.
The Ardonagh Group
This organization is a major independent insurance brokerage group that is expanding its specialty solutions across the Middle East and Africa.
Antarah
This entity operates as a Lloyd's of London coverholder and managing general agent focusing on multi-lines insurance solutions.
The details
Antarah offers a specialist multi-lines insurance proposition backed by binding authorities and Lloyd's of London capacity. Under the new leadership, the company intends to integrate advanced technology and AI-enabled underwriting capabilities into its operations.
Timeline
Antonio El Hokayem joined Gallagher in 2022.
The Ardonagh Group announced the CEO appointment on September 30, 2026.
Market Landscape
This leadership change aligns with the broader push by international insurance firms to consolidate influence in the Middle East and Africa. By prioritizing AI-enabled underwriting, the company is positioning itself to compete more aggressively with established regional incumbents.
Clients currently working with Antarah may see shifts in underwriting processes as the firm adopts new AI-enabled tools under the incoming CEO. Pricing and policy availability are expected to remain aligned with current Lloyd's of London capacity.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions in specialty insurance often signal shifts toward modernized, data-driven underwriting practices. Stakeholders should monitor for updates on how new AI capabilities affect product availability and speed of service.
Further reading
For more on industry leadership changes, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ReinsuranceNe.
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