Berkshire Hathaway gets Dubai license; taps AIG/AXA execs

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (BHSI) has opened a new office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), while naming Alessandro Cerase as its senior executive officer (SEO) and Neeraj Yadvendu as deputy SEO and head of third party lines for the Middle East.

The move comes after BHSI received an insurance license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority, according to a Feb. 12 statement.

The new operations will provide a suite of specialty and commercial re/insurance products to its network of brokers and ceding companies with a focus on construction, energy, property, marine, casualty and executive and professional lines.

Cerase joins BHSI with 20 years of global experience spanning both the engineering and underwriting sides of the insurance business. He was most recently global head of energy and engineered risk at AIG.

In addition to being the SEO, Cerase will be leading first party lines for BHSI’s broader Asia Middle East region, which includes its other regional hubs of Hong Kong and Singapore as well as its operations in Malaysia and Macau.

Yadvendu joins BHSI after two decades in the insurance industry, most recently as regional head of casualty and financial lines at AXA Asia.

Marc Breuil, president of Asia Middle East, BHSI, said: “We are excited to expand BHSI’s footprint in this region which will service those markets in the Middle East and beyond who seek re/insurance support in the DIFC.

"The strategic location of Dubai as well as the stability and efficiency of the DIFC make it an ideal hub for BHSI to support economic growth in the region. Our operation in the DIFC will bring BHSI’s financial strength, and underwriting and claims excellence to the region.

“We are excited to be able to serve customers and brokers in the region under the experienced leadership of Alessandro and Neeraj.”

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