McLarens Will Appoint New Middle East Regional Director
The firm will transition its regional leadership to a new director tasked with integrating Middle East operations.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in People
Ollie Waterman will assume the role of regional director for the Middle East at McLarens effective October 1, 2026. This leadership change occurs as part of a broader EMEA strategy to create a more integrated regional operation.
Why it matters
The appointment signals a strategic push by the firm to synchronize Middle East business units with its London and EMEA teams. Operators should monitor how this organizational consolidation impacts the delivery of cross-border specialty insurance services.
The transition involves the retirement of Malcolm Addy at the end of 2026 and the promotion of Ollie Waterman, who currently serves as commercial development director. This leadership shift aims to unify regional management across five specialty business lines.
The players
McLarens
A global claims management firm providing technical loss adjusting and claims services for insurance markets.
Ollie Waterman
A chartered loss adjuster currently serving as the firm's commercial development director for the Middle East.
Malcolm Addy
The outgoing regional leader who is scheduled to retire from the firm at the end of 2026.
Mahesh Ganesan
The current operations director for the firm's Middle East business segment.
The details
Waterman will oversee a portfolio spanning property and casualty, construction, engineering, marine, and specialty lines. His operational focus will be on integrating these Middle East business activities with the company's London and EMEA support hubs. A chartered loss adjuster who moved to Dubai in 2022, Waterman will work alongside operations director Mahesh Ganesan to execute the revised regional strategy.
Timeline
Ollie Waterman moved to Dubai in 2022.
Waterman assumes the role of regional director on October 1, 2026.
Malcolm Addy will retire from the firm at the end of 2026.
Market Landscape
This appointment follows the firm's EMEA regional operating strategy, which prioritizes cross-market integration. The move aligns regional leadership with centralized support functions to improve service consistency across specialized insurance lines.
Operators in the insurance and specialty lines sector should watch for changes in regional service delivery protocols as integration efforts accelerate. Review current cross-border workflows to identify potential adjustments in response to the new leadership structure.
The takeaway
Leadership changes at global firms often precede broader shifts in regional operational processes. Track communication from the firm regarding new procedural standards that may affect your existing service agreements or reporting requirements.
What happens next
Malcolm Addy will officially depart the organization at the end of 2026.
Further reading
For more on industry leadership trends, visit the People section.
