McLarens has appointed Ollie Waterman as Regional Director, Middle East, effective 1 October 2026. Waterman will take overall responsibility for the company’s Middle East operations.
Waterman succeeds Malcolm Addy, who will retire at the end of 2026. Addy has helped build McLarens’ presence across the Middle East.
Ollie Waterman brings regional insurance experience
Waterman currently serves as Commercial Development Director, Middle East, at McLarens. He will move into the regional leadership role after building experience across the Middle East.
A Chartered Loss Adjuster, Waterman began his career handling major and complex losses in the London market. He relocated to Dubai with a global adjusting firm in 2022.
There, Waterman became Head of Property for the Middle East. His responsibilities included large losses across the region, financial management and team leadership.
Waterman later joined McLarens. His new role expands his responsibility across the company’s Middle East platform.
Regional director to oversee Middle East operations
As Regional Director, Middle East, Waterman will oversee McLarens’ regional operations. His remit will cover the company’s core practice areas.
These include property and casualty, construction and engineering, and marine and speciality lines. He will also work alongside McLarens Aviation and Lloyd Warwick International operations in the region.
Waterman will also connect McLarens’ Middle East operation with its London and wider EMEA teams. The company identifies a more connected EMEA operation as a priority under Steven Wallace, Managing Director, EMEA.
Waterman will work with Mahesh Ganesan, Operations Director, Middle East. Ganesan will continue to oversee operational performance and consistency across the regional platform.
McLarens focuses on an integrated EMEA operation
The appointment comes as McLarens continues to invest in its Middle East operations. The company is also pursuing a wider EMEA strategy.
McLarens operates through wholly owned entities in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. It also has an established affiliate network across the wider GCC region.
The company says the regional platform combines international expertise with local operations. It supports clients across what McLarens describes as a complex and developing risk environment.
Leadership transition follows Middle East expansion
Wallace said Addy had helped establish McLarens’ presence in the Middle East. Wallace also described Waterman as bringing technical, commercial and regional experience to the role.
Waterman said his focus will be on bringing McLarens’ teams and capabilities closer together. He also said the company aims to provide a coordinated response to complex losses across the region.
McLarens was founded in 1932 and operates in 45 countries. The independent global insurance services provider offers loss adjusting, claims and risk management services, as well as auditing and pre-risk surveying.
The company serves complex, commercial and niche markets. Its areas of expertise include property, casualty, construction and engineering, aviation, marine, forensic accounting and environmental consulting services.
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