RSA announces new Middle East CEO

Paul's appointment will be effective from 1st January 2009.

Paul joined RSA two years ago as CEO for the company's UAE operations. He succeeds Pat who retires after serving 38 years with RSA worldwide and having successfully led the Middle East business for almost four years.

Paul's appointment is testament to RSA's ability to attract the best talent in the industry. He has worked in the Middle East for more than ten years and brings with him a tremendous amount of experience, both from emerging markets and the more mature UK market. In his time with RSA, he has managed to transform the UAE business, achieving exponential growth across various entities.

Commenting on the appointment, Scott Pickering, RSA CEO AME, said:

"Paul takes on this responsibility at a very exciting time for RSA. I have no doubt that with his knowledge and ambitious outlook, he will serve as a continuing inspiration for the rest of the team to drive the business to new levels of success in the region."

Paul has 23 years of experience within the insurance industry, occupying a range of senior managerial roles in the UK and the Middle East for Norwich Union, and most recently, the French Insurer AXA following their acquisition of the Norwich Union business in the Middle East. He has a wealth of experience in the Middle East region and has managed operations in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and the UAE.

"I am delighted to be working with such a strong and vibrant team and a company with a pedigree of over 50 years in the Gulf that truly believes on delivering quality products and services. Our plans in the Middle East are to continue to expand our operations in line with the number of strategic developments and thereby continue to deliver sustained profitable performance over both the short and medium term," Paul said.

Pat O'Flynn will remain in his current role until January 2009 when he will transition to the position of Executive Director for RSA Middle East, providing support to the new Middle East CEO. He will continue to be involved in a number of strategic Middle East initiatives until his retirement in August next year.