Islamic Arab Insurance Company (Salama) has appointed Walter Jopp as chief executive officer, following approval of the Central Bank of the UAE.
Jopp has spent more than 25 years in the insurance industry across global markets and previously served as CEO of Middle East at Zurich International Life.
He has also held board positions as executive director of Zurich International Life in the Isle of Man and director of Zurich Workplace Solutions in the Dubai International Finance Centre.
The firm is a provider of Takaful insurance solutions – an Islamic or sharia-compliant alternative to conventional insurance.
It said Jopp’s experience of spearheading digital transformation initiatives and improving operational efficiencies would optimise its ongoing digital transformation and strategic growth plans.
Jopp will work closely with Salama’s board and the rest of the executive team to steer its growth ambitions and plans to leverage its position in the Takaful sector.
In addition to Salama’s UAE business, he will also be responsible for Salama’s international subsidiaries, mergers and acquisitions strategy and expansion plans.
H.E. Saeed Mubarak Alhajeri, chairman of Salama, said: “We are delighted to welcome Walter Jopp to Salama.
“Walter has a strong track record in the insurance market in the Middle East and brings proven expertise in market development and distribution.
“In addition, his strengths in strategy and leadership will reinforce our commitment to achieving significant business growth and providing exceptional service to our customers as a trusted Sharia’h compliant Takaful solutions provider, while continuing to foster UAE National talent and develop Emirati leadership in the insurance industry, which is also one of the main tasks of the new CEO.”
Jopp added: “I am honoured to join Salama and am optimistic about leading the UAE’s biggest Takaful provider as it prepares for its next phase of growth and expansion.
“There are tremendous opportunities for Sharia’h compliant insurance solutions (Takaful) in the region and I am convinced that Salama is strategically well-positioned with its collective expertise to take full advantage of this promising environment.”