Headquarters:
Beirut, Lebanon
Year founded:
1936
Number of employees:
2,124
Phone:
+961 1 900100
Email:
info@maliagroup.com
Website:
maliagroup.com
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/maliagroup
“Having four insurance designations, and the wealth of knowledge that comes with it, enables me to better counsel customers regarding the importance of having the appropriate insurance coverage”
Saray Uribe,
CharSan Insurance & Consulting
Joanne Chehab
Chief Executive Officer
Carol Abi Karam
General Manager, Pharmaline
Chakib Chehab
Chief Executive Officer, Malia Invest Holding
Leadership
Joanne Chehab serves as CEO and board member of Malia Group since January 2016. Committed to stakeholder satisfaction, she champions managerial empowerment, diversity, inclusion, and ethical conduct. With a career spanning various departments within the group, Chehab brings a wealth of hands-on experience to her role.
Chehab co-founded the Jean & Charlotte Sarraf Foundation and the Family Business Network Levant Chapter, holding board positions in multiple other organizations. She has a BA in economics from Saint Joseph University and a master’s in management from ESSEC. Her journey underscores her steady focus and dedication to Malia Group’s success.
Chief Executive Officer
Joanne Chehab
Dr. Carol Abi Karam began her career at Malia Group as regulatory affairs manager. Prior to assuming her current position, she was assistant general manager for the company where she oversaw product manufacturing, promotion, marketing and sales. During her tenure as general manager, Dr. Abi Karam led Pharmaline’s regional development, secured a large portfolio, and closed license contracts and distribution deals with leading multinationals.
She is a founding member and the president of the Syndicate of Pharmaceutical Industries in Lebanon. She is also a member of the Board of the Arab Union of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, a Member of the Lebanese Order of Pharmacists, and a founding member of the board of the Jean & Charlotte Sarraf Foundation.
Dr. Abi Karam holds a Doctorate in Pharmacy from Saint Joseph University.
General Manager, Pharmaline
Carol Abi Karam
Chakib Chehab leads Malia Group’s operations in Iraq, covering the distribution, hospitality, construction and solutions sectors. Starting his career in sales and marketing, he pioneered the establishment of Malia Group’s Iraq businesses.
Chehab plays a leading role in Malia Group’s expansion ambitions in new sectors and new territories. He is a member of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon and president of the Lebanese Kurdistan Friendship Association. He holds an MBA from ESSEC and a master’s degree in economics from Paris II, both in France.
Chief Executive Officer, Malia Invest Holding
Chakib Chehab
“Having four insurance designations, and the wealth of knowledge that comes with it, enables me to better counsel customers regarding the importance of having the appropriate insurance coverage”
Saray Uribe,
CharSan Insurance & Consulting
Leadership
“A true leader can see potential in different employees, regardless of their position. Listening and recognizing the value of each individual not only inspires them but also makes them grow professionally”
Saray Uribe,
CharSan Insurance & Consulting
Leadership
Michel Mchantaf
Head of Human Resources, Malia Trust
As head of human resources, Michel Mchantaf supports Malia Group’s strategic direction across talent acquisition and retention, compensation and benefits, performance management, succession planning, and learning and development. He works closely with cross-functional teams to ensure the development and implementation of the department’s strategies and initiatives.
For more than a decade now, Mchantaf has overseen Malia Group’s talent expansion, growing the workforce from a mere 500 employees to over 2000, spanning Lebanon, Iraq, and the UAE. His leadership and vision have been instrumental in driving this remarkable growth and success.
Head of Human Resources, Malia Trust
Michel Mchantaf
Jacques G. Sarraf
General Manager, Cosmaline
Jacques G. Sarraf brings over a decade of FMCG industry experience to his role as general manager at Cosmaline, a part of Malia Group and a rapidly growing personal care company in the MENA region. Throughout his tenure, Sarraf has adeptly driven growth and profitability, successfully expanding market share and optimizing operational efficiency alongside strategic entries into new markets and product categories.
An advocate of sustainability, fitness, and wellness, Sarraf promotes environmentally friendly practices and encourages individuals to adopt healthy and active lifestyles.
General Manager, Cosmaline
Jacques G. Sarraf
Established in 1936, Malia Group is a leading Lebanese-based organization dedicated to driving innovation, excellence, and sustainable growth across various sectors: manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and personal care products, distribution of consumer goods, technology, fashion, contracting, hospitality, and real estate.
With a relentless commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, and a strong presence in Lebanon, Iraq, and the UAE, we believe in making a meaningful impact on society while delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders. Our core values of modernity, ambition, leadership, integrity, and ardor guide everything we do.
Driven by a passion for continuous improvement and a spirit of collaboration, Malia Group remains at the forefront of industry trends and emerging markets. Our firm dedication to sustainability ensures that we not only meet the needs of the present but also safeguard the future for generations to come.
With a dynamic team of professionals and a culture of excellence, Malia Group is poised for even greater achievements in the years ahead. Throughout the span of eight decades, we’ve curated a portfolio of 60 distinct brands and established partnerships with 35 reputable multinational companies, a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and lasting collaborations.
Matthew Dover
Head of Operations
Natalia Child
Head of Broker and Professions CPD
Maxine Owen
Head of Finance
Simon Williams
Chief Strategy & Distribution Officer, Arch Insurance International
and Active Underwriter, Syndicate 1955
Matthew Dover worked at Renovation Insurance Brokers with MD Douglas Brown before becoming part of the launch team for Renovation Underwriting in 2018. As head of operations, he works closely with the underwriting team, holds key relationships with all partners across the insurance sector and is integral to the delivery and performance of multiple, transactional policy portals for the sector.
Head of Operations
Matthew Dover
Natalia Child began her career in insurance in 2012 and, since then, has worked in both underwriting and private client broking. She is chartered, has an advanced diploma in insurance and has a law degree.
Passionate about education, Child is responsible for delivering the CDP program and the Contract Works Academy, designed to upskill renovation knowledge and increase confidence across the sector.
Head of Broker and Professions CPD
Natalia Child
With over 30 years of experience in the finance and accounting sector, Maxine Owen has worked in a wide variety of industries, including private medical, vehicle, transport and education. When she joined Renovation Underwriting in 2017, Owen brought with her a deep understanding of corporate treasury and the foreign exchange/money market, along with the management of multi-currency exposure with inter-company transactions. She is also an affiliated member of AAT, the professional body for accounting technicians.
Head of Finance
Maxine Owen
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
Sarah M Stewart
Associate Vice President,
Leasing and Call Centre Operations
Karen Bannister, CM
Vice President, Marketing
Dave Longbottom
Chief Technology Officer
Alex Ventura
Head of Marketing
Damian Palovick
Senior Vice President of Underwriting
AXA XL – Delegated Authority Programs, North America
Dr. Mary Lavoie
Head of Risk Management and Senior Vice President
AXA XL – Delegated Authority Programs, North America
Mark Bernacki
Chief Underwriting Officer
Ryan Armijo
Chief Operating Officer, Underwriting Division
Bob Petrilli
President, Underwriting Division
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Broker's Pick – Personal Accident and Illness Insurance
Brokers’ Pick – Professional liability
Small business
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Broker communication, training and development
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Turnaround time – claims
Broker's Pick – Personal Accident and Illness Insurance
Brokers’ Pick – Professional liability
Small business
“A true leader can see potential in different employees, regardless of their position. Listening and recognizing the value of each individual not only inspires them but also makes them grow professionally”
Saray Uribe,
CharSan Insurance & Consulting
“Having four insurance designations, and the wealth of knowledge that comes with it, enables me to better counsel customers regarding the importance of having the appropriate insurance coverage”
Saray Uribe,
CharSan Insurance & Consulting
“A true leader can see potential in different employees, regardless of their position. Listening and recognizing the value of each individual not only inspires them but also makes them grow professionally”
Saray Uribe,
CharSan Insurance & Consulting
employee benefits
regional retail P&C
specialty P&C
underwriting
direct-to-consumer programs
“Alliant has achieved growth in each of these categories via a potent combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions with plans to continue on this forward trajectory,” explains executive vice president and director, M&A development, Stephen Farr. “Our goal is to achieve strong organic growth, over 10%, augmented by selective and strategic M&A activity.”
Breaking down the specific drivers of growth, Farr adds, “Alliant’s P&C verticals have achieved the highest level of growth in the brokerage space, and the company’s generalist producers have also been a beneficiary by virtue of producing more complex, industry-specific accounts via partnerships with Alliant specialty brokers. Our direct-to-consumer business has been growing at a rapid rate via acquisitions and alignment with other Alliant divisions on cross-selling opportunities.”
The firm enables its team to work effectively with a synergy-creating structure.
Zimmer says, “The Alliant experience is defined by best-in-class teams, service, innovation, and a dynamic and collaborative environment where we work together to achieve powerful, long-term results for our clients and partners. We proactively eliminate walls and silos within our organization, allowing our team members to be both responsive and innovative in their approach to serving clients.”
The firm’s profile was boosted with the launch of Alliant Consumer Group, a dedicated unit housing Alliant’s growing portfolio of consumer-facing operations.
There was also the creation of the Alliant Insurance Foundation in 2023, a charitable, non-profit organization focused on promoting justice and equality by expanding access to opportunities for career growth and advancement for individuals with diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
Alliant also has an active philanthropy program. Across 2023, Alliant professionals collectively raised/contributed:
more than $1 million in funds
over $2.3 million in combined monetary and in-kind donations through an annual World Food Derby initiative
2,320 volunteer hours to numerous deserving organizations, making a significant community impact
Alliant’s progress is set to continue, as underlined by Zimmer, who has confidence in the firm’s people to deliver continued excellence.
“We believe in our business plan, and it has proven successful. We don’t feel the need to change that. Our core business plan will continue to drive the company forward, complemented by new opportunities that may arise in the future.”
Turnaround time – claims
Turnaround time – new business
Overall
