Key Points:
- First Female CEO: Leah Cotterill becomes the first woman to lead an international health insurance company in the UAE.
- Extensive Experience: With over 25 years in the health and wellness sector, Cotterill has a proven track record in sales, operations, and customer service, having previously served as Chief Distribution Officer at Cigna Healthcare MEA.
- Strategic Growth Focus: In her new role, Cotterill will drive strategic growth and expand access to high-quality healthcare solutions across key markets in the Middle East and Africa, excluding Saudi Arabia.
Cigna Healthcare has announced the appointment of Leah Cotterill as its new Chief Executive Officer for the Middle East and Africa region, excluding Saudi Arabia. Cotterill is the first woman to lead an international health insurance company in the UAE, marking a significant milestone in the region’s healthcare industry.
Leah Cotterill will focus on driving strategic growth and expanding access to healthcare solutions in key markets across the Middle East and Africa. Her appointment aligns with the UAE’s ongoing efforts to promote gender equality and increase female representation in leadership roles.
With over 25 years of experience in the health and wellness sector, Cotterill has a strong background in sales, operations, and customer service. She previously held the position of Chief Distribution Officer at Cigna Healthcare MEA, where she developed a customer-focused model that helped the organisation achieve its strategic goals.
Cotterill played a key role in launching SmartCare by Cigna Healthcare, the region’s first open-access network health insurance product. She also contributed to Cigna’s expansion into the African market. Since joining Cigna in 2008, she has built the client management capability in the Middle East and led the Client Management Team for Global Health Benefits in North America.
Jerome Droesch, who previously served as CEO for the region, has now taken on a broader role within Cigna Healthcare. Droesch praised Cotterill’s appointment, noting, “As the first female leader to take the helm of an international health insurance company in the UAE, Leah’s appointment is groundbreaking for the region. I already see diverse thinking and a renewed perspective reinvigorating our growth aspirations, and I am confident that her extensive knowledge of the healthcare sector, combined with an in-depth understanding of customer needs, makes her the ideal candidate to drive the MEA business into its next phase of growth and success.”
“Having worked across diverse markets, including the Middle East, the United States, and the United Kingdom, Leah is a proven leader with an international mindset and an appreciation of what makes different business environments tick,” Droesch added.
Cotterill expressed her excitement about her new role, stating, “I am thrilled to take on this role within Cigna Healthcare. The MEA region is primed for leading global healthcare innovation. The diverse and youthful population is key in our journey to ensuring greater access to high-quality care in line with our commitment to enhancing the health and vitality of communities.”
Cotterill added, “The UAE’s offers a unique opportunity to advance healthcare accessibility and empower communities to thrive. Dubai’s strategic position as a global business and innovation hub, underpinned by the country’s robust infrastructure, is a key contributor to the UAE’s high standards for health-related quality of life.”
Leah holds an MBA with distinction from Hult International Business School, where she graduated with the prestigious Hodges Scholar award.