Ardonagh Group Named Antonio El Hokayem CEO of Antarah
The appointment signals a shift for Middle East specialty insurance operators toward AI-driven underwriting.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in People
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The Ardonagh Group appointed Antonio El Hokayem as the new Chief Executive Officer of Antarah. The move aims to expand the managing general agent's specialty insurance solutions across the Middle East and Africa.
Why it matters
The leadership change reflects Ardonagh's strategic focus on scaling its presence in emerging insurance markets. Operators in the region should monitor how the integration of new underwriting technology impacts capacity availability and competitive pricing.
The appointment follows El Hokayem's three-year stint at Gallagher and prior experience at Zurich. Antarah serves the Middle East and Africa markets as a Lloyd's of London coverholder.
The players
Antonio El Hokayem
An insurance executive with prior experience at Gallagher, Zurich, and Chedid Re who is now leading Antarah.
The Ardonagh Group
A large independent insurance distribution platform and parent company seeking to expand specialty solutions across Africa and the Middle East.
Antarah
A managing general agent and Lloyd's of London coverholder providing specialized multi-line insurance products.
The details
Antarah operates as a managing general agent that delivers specialty multi-line insurance products backed by Lloyd's of London capacity. Under the new leadership, the firm plans to incorporate AI-enabled underwriting capabilities to enhance its operational efficiency. This shift represents a broader trend of leveraging digital tools to manage risk and streamline binding authorities within the specialty insurance sector.
Timeline
Antonio El Hokayem began his role at Gallagher in 2022.
The Ardonagh Group announced the appointment on September 30, 2026.
Market Landscape
The appointment aligns with the broader industry trend of integrating AI-enabled underwriting to gain competitive advantages in specialty lines. It follows the persistent pattern of large global groups expanding their reach in the Middle East through specialized managing general agents.
Operators currently utilizing Antarah for specialty capacity should monitor the firm's transition toward AI-enabled underwriting. Assess how these new technological tools may change your firm's submission requirements or underwriting response times in the coming quarters.
The takeaway
The move highlights the critical importance of marrying geographic expansion with advanced underwriting technology in the insurance sector. Executives should watch for further deployment of AI tools by regional MGAs as a signal of shifting capacity standards.
Further reading
For more on shifts in the insurance labor market, see People.
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