Global insurance brokerage firm Lockton has confirmed its formal expansion into Saudi Arabia, unveiling the launch of a dedicated retail business under the leadership of Mohammad Al Abdul Jabbar, who assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer for Lockton Saudi Arabia.

The move forms part of Lockton’s broader strategy to deepen its presence in the Middle East and respond to the Kingdom’s accelerating demand for risk-advisory and insurance services across sectors including construction, energy, healthcare and financial services.

Lockton’s Saudi operations begin with a base team of twenty insurance and risk specialists, combining local market insight with the parent group’s global capabilities and culture of client-first independence.

As CEO, Al Abdul Jabbar brings more than two decades of experience spanning broking, underwriting and corporate risk management, including senior leadership roles with leading Saudi brokers and insurers.

He also holds the position of vice-chairman of the Executive Committee of the General Committee of Insurance & Reinsurance Brokers in Saudi Arabia, highlighting his industry standing.

Faris Khatib, Chief Executive Officer of Lockton Middle East & North Africa, described the Kingdom as a “critical market” for the company and commended Al Abdul Jabbar’s combination of regional expertise and entrepreneurial mindset.

Chris Brown, CEO of Lockton International, said the expansion reflects the firm’s ambition to “be where our clients need us most” in the world’s most dynamic economies.

The timing aligns with Saudi Arabia’s diversification drive under its Vision 2030 agenda, which is fuelled by major construction and infrastructure initiatives, rapid growth in financial services and increasing regulatory emphasis on structured risk management.

Analysts note that the Middle East continues to offer some of the highest growth potential globally in commercial insurance.

By investing in local leadership and a Saudi-based retail platform, Lockton aims to deliver globally-standardised solutions with local responsiveness and thus strengthen its competitive positioning in the region.

As Lockton launches in Saudi Arabia, it joins a growing roster of international insurance brokers targeting the Gulf market.

While competition is intensifying, the firm’s independent ownership model and client-centric ethos may prove differentiating factors in a fast-evolving risk ecosystem.

Al Abdul Jabbar said his immediate priority will be to establish the firm’s footprint in the Kingdom, develop tailored regional propositions and build deep client relationships.

He emphasised that Lockton Saudi Arabia will act as a bridge between multinational risk exposures and local market dynamics.

With the Saudi operation now live, the firm will seek to scale rapidly.

Its success will depend on navigating local regulatory frameworks, recruiting top talent and delivering value-added advisory services amid evolving risk landscapes such as cyber-attacks, ESG (environmental, social, governance) pressures and the energy transition.

For multinational clients expanding in the Kingdom, the local launch provides a streamlined gateway to global insurance services combined with in-market presence.

Overall, Lockton’s Saudi expansion signals the firm’s commitment to the Middle East and its capacity to align with markets undergoing structural transformation.

With Al Abdul Jabbar at the helm, the new venture positions Lockton to capture market share and support high-growth clients in the Kingdom’s evolving economy.