When I joined Guardian Insurance Brokers, our family I recently participated in my first Arabic-language
Top 10 business begun by my father Fawaz in 1999, I was a interview, where I shared advice for Arab women,
WOMEN LEADERS IN
MIDDLE EAST 2
2023
E
G RACHA MOUKAYED
A
MCCLELLAND
M
I
EED PIONEERING THE INSURANCE
BROKERAGE INDUSTRY WITH
N
INGENUITY
L
ike skilled chess players, specialist insurance
RACHA MOUKAYED MCCLELLAND, brokers strategically navigate the insurance
MANAGING DIRECTOR market to provide customized coverage
HOWDEN GUARDIAN INSURANCE BROKERS solutions for their clients, ensuring they are
always one step ahead of potential threats. With their
Racha is a prominent figure in the expertise and strategic approach, specialist insurance
insurance brokerage industry and has brokers can provide invaluable protection and peace of
consistently demonstrated excellence in mind to their clients. One such organization is Howden
her work. Guardian Insurance Brokers. They blend the best of both
worlds by leveraging the power of a large, global company
while maintaining the close-knit feel of an employee-
owned organization. Racha Moukayed McClelland is
a name that resonates with excellence in the field of
insurance brokerage. As the Managing Director, she
MY MANTRA FOR has demonstrated an exceptional level of expertise and
SUCCESS IS TO BE experience that has earned her a reputation as a veteran
PURPOSE-DRIVEN, in the industry.
COMMUNICATE During an interview with us, Racha Moukayed
McClelland shed light on the inner workings of the
EFFECTIVELY, & MAINTAIN Howden Guardian Insurance Brokers and offered
A POSITIVE MENTAL insights into the factors that have contributed to its
ATTITUDE success.
Can you describe your previous professional
background and explain how it has contributed
to your current abilities as a business leader?
clerk with a monthly salary of $700. My motivation is
now focused on taking care of the team, giving them
the tools they need, and encouraging them to provide
the absolute best service available in the market. I was
inspired by the leadership style of a man and mentor
named Carl almost twenty years ago; he influenced
people to work hard while enjoying the experience,
despite being over 70 years old and retiring a couple of
times from insurance companies in the United States.
In early March 2020, I made the decision to close the
offices and work remotely due to COVID-19. For reasons
unrelated to the pandemic, we had already installed a
robust IT system to ensure business continuity and keep
our promise to stakeholders. I also worked to keep our
expatriate employees (some were physically located
in South Africa, Jordan, and elsewhere in the region)
motivated by connecting them through virtual platforms
and social activities.
Can you provide a brief overview of Howden
Guardian Insurance Brokers, including its
main focus areas and underlying concept?
We are an insurance broker in Abu Dhabi offering
risk transfer solutions for personal and commercial
insurance, including property & casualty, engineering,
financial lines, marine, employee benefits, sports &
entertainment, and climate change. Our company
prioritizes sustainability and is committed to making
a positive impact on society and the environment. We
work with the UAE government and private sector to
mitigate risks and promote sustainable development.
Our purpose-driven approach focuses on environmental,
social, and governance strategies. We strive to attract
and retain talented employees, including those with
disabilities, and innovate to guard the interests of our
policyholders.
As a leader in the insurance industry, what do
you believe are the most significant challenges
you face? How do you go about addressing and
resolving these obstacles?
As a leader in the insurance industry, one of the
critical challenges I encounter is attracting talent that
aligns with our company culture. We prioritize finding
individuals with the right philosophy and business
ethics; only after they meet those criteria, we consider
their qualifications and skills to sustainably grow the
business. Another challenge I face is being a woman
in a leadership position in a male-dominated industry.
including not taking things personally and working
hard to project good values, experience, and knowledge.
Running a company is easier than being a housewife,
mother, and partner simultaneously. Currently, I do not
see any significant challenges as I use different tactics
to address them, and taking my own advice, I don’t take
things personally.
Can you share the three most significant
achievements you have accomplished in your
career so far, and what do you believe has
been the key to your success?
I have achieved several milestones throughout my
professional journey. I formed a great team and
established governance policies to support the growth
of employee benefits in 2005. I mentored Executive MBA
students from my alma mater, which provided me with
different perspectives including helping me improve
my own business. I was able to restructure my company
without external help, even during the COVID pandemic.
I’m also proud to be a mother of twins and to inspire
and encourage people to be better individuals every
day. My mantra for success is to be purpose-driven,
communicate effectively, and maintain a positive
mental attitude. It is important to be open, transparent,
authentic, and engaging with the public in general and
stakeholders in particular. I believe in helping people be
the best versions of themselves rather than centralizing
power.
What is your prediction for the future of the
insurance industry in the Middle East? Which
trends do you think will have the greatest
impact on the industry?
The insurance industry in the Middle East is necessarily
expected to focus on climate change going forward as
it will undoubtedly impact the economy and our lives.
Many insurance companies are already aligning their
internal policies with global ESG policies, and innovative
products related to climate change are being introduced.
The other industries going through ESG are facing
lawsuits, leading to the need for insurance policies to
support them in case of losses. The Central Bank of UAE
is taking the lead in bringing changes to the industry
locally, and there is optimism about the future. However,
it is important to simplify the business environment as
complexity can hinder growth. Everyone needs to be
engaged in the conversation to drive decisions that make
it easier for businesses to grow and the next generation
to take over with fewer challenges.