QBE Re streamlines global leadership with six executive promotions

QBE Re has announced a series of senior leadership appointments as part of its ongoing organisational restructuring, aimed at streamlining operations across its global markets and product areas. The group has adopted a simplified leadership structure divided into three key markets—EMEA, International (Lloyd’s & Bermuda platforms), and North America—and three principal product categories: casualty, specialty, and property.

In the market leadership segment, Abdallah Balbeisi has been named executive director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), overseeing QBE Re’s offices in Dubai, Brussels, and Dublin. Balbeisi, who joined QBE in 2020 from Aspen, brings over 25 years of industry experience. Mark Jackaman was appointed executive director of International markets, including Lloyd’s and Bermuda platforms. Previously general manager in London, Jackaman has accrued more than 27 years in the sector, with 13 years specifically at QBE Re. Salvatore Sama, based in New York, steps into the executive director role for North America, building on his decade at Swiss Re and extensive financial services expertise.

These leadership roles are charged with guiding underwriting teams across QBE Re’s respective markets and executing the reinsurer’s global strategy.

On the product leadership front, Jane Farren has taken on the role of executive director, Global Casualty, having been global head of Financial Professional Lines. Farren has served at QBE Re in New York for four years, with past roles at Aspen and Swiss Re. Shane Lawlor leads as executive director, Global Specialty, encompassing accident and health, life, marine and aviation, and other specialty lines. He joined QBE in 2015 from Catlin, having previously headed Specialty in London. Andy Richardson heads Global Property as executive director; he joined QBE Re in 2023 from Aeolus Capital Management and holds prior experience at Lancashire Insurance and Guy Carpenter. Richardson concurrently serves as general manager of QBE’s Bermuda office.

These positions are responsible for setting global product appetites, managing product portfolios, and capacity allocation. All six executives report to Chris Killourhy, managing director of QBE Re. The appointments complement a strengthened underwriting leadership team that includes figures such as Jamie Cook, chief partnership officer, Debbi Wood, head of Claims, and Andrew Guarnori, head of Underwriting Oversight. Speaking on the new structure, Killourhy emphasised confidence in the internal promotion strategy: “I am delighted that the roles have been filled from our existing bench of internal talent. The new leadership model ensures all products and markets are represented by an empowered team, allowing QBE Re to be a more agile, consistent, and relevant partner for our brokers and cedants.”

Additionally, Tracey Gibbons has been appointed to the newly created global head of Strategic Development, bringing over four decades of experience. She previously served as general manager of Bermuda and joined QBE in 2021 from SiriusPoint.

QBE Re maintains a global presence with offices across Bermuda, Bogota, Brussels, Dubai, Dublin, London, and New York, alongside market presence in Japan, Argentina, and the United States.

In related moves within the insurance sector, Liberty Global Transaction Solutions (GTS), part of Liberty Mutual Insurance, has named Nick Lunn as the head of the UK, Central Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa, while Barbara Magni takes the helm for Southern Europe. Both report to Markus Messinger, head of EMEA at Liberty GTS. Lunn, who joined Liberty in 2020 and previously led Southern Europe, has a background spanning underwriting management and corporate law, having qualified as an M&A lawyer before moving into the warranty and indemnity (W&I) insurance market. Magni, a dual-qualified M&A lawyer with pedigree at Clyde & Co. and top Italian firms, has been with Liberty since 2016, specialising in Southern European transactions and will continue to be Milan-based.

Liberty GTS is known for its extensive expertise in M&A insurance, supporting over 1,500 deals globally each year with products including representations and warranties insurance and tax liability insurance.

Together, these appointments at QBE Re and Liberty GTS signal a strategic focus on leadership stability, sector expertise, and regional market strength, aligning with the evolving demands of global reinsurance and M&A transaction insurance markets.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative was published on July 10, 2025, and has not appeared elsewhere prior to this date. The content is original and not recycled. The article is based on a press release from QBE Re, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material is noted, but the update justifies a higher freshness score.

Quotes check

Score:
10

Notes:
The direct quotes from Chris Killourhy, managing director of QBE Re, are unique to this narrative and have not been found in earlier material. No identical quotes appear elsewhere, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative originates from Insurance Journal, a reputable organisation known for its coverage of the insurance industry. The report is based on a press release from QBE Re, a well-established company in the reinsurance sector. All individuals and organisations mentioned are verifiable and have a legitimate public presence.

Plausability check

Score:
10

Notes:
The appointments and organisational restructuring detailed in the narrative are plausible and align with QBE Re’s recent strategic initiatives. The claims are supported by information from reputable outlets, and the narrative includes specific factual anchors such as names, institutions, and dates. The language and tone are consistent with corporate communications in the reinsurance industry. There is no excessive or off-topic detail, and the tone is appropriately formal and informative.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is original, timely, and sourced from reputable organisations. The claims are plausible and supported by specific details, with no signs of disinformation or recycled content. The language and tone are appropriate for the subject matter, and all entities mentioned are verifiable.