XS Global Africa Names Imad Kehdy Head of First Party Lines

XS Global, an independently owned managing general underwriting platform, has appointed Imad Kehdy as Head of First Party Lines for its Africa operations. He will oversee property, engineering, power and energy underwriting across the continent.

Kehdy joins from Barents Re in Dubai, where he served as Reinsurance Manager leading the facultative underwriting team for property and engineering. He held full underwriting authority for the MENA region, directed pricing and risk acceptance, and drove annual business planning. He also helped structure the regional retrocession program.

His career began in technical accounting at Chedid Re in Lebanon. Over 12 years at Barents Re, he worked through every level of facultative underwriting.

“Fluent in English and French and a native Arabic speaker, Imad combines sharp technical skill with the people-first mindset needed to build and lead high-performing teams,” a XS Global spokesperson said. “His appointment marks another important step in strengthening XS Global reinsurance leadership and driving strategic growth across the continent’s markets.”

The hire comes as XS Global expands its African footprint. The MGU focuses on specialty lines and has been building out regional teams to serve growing demand for property and engineering coverage tied to infrastructure development.