- Announcement aligns closely with UAE’s commitment to including more women in leadership roles and fostering gender equality.
Health services company Cigna Healthcare has named Leah Cotterill as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Cigna Healthcare – Middle East and Africa (outside Saudi Arabia).
Cotterill becomes the first female CEO to lead an international health insurance company in the UAE, marking a significant milestone for the industry. The announcement aligns closely with the UAE’s commitment to including more women in leadership roles and fostering gender equality.
In her new role, Cotterill will drive the organisation’s strategic growth and expand access to high-quality healthcare solutions across the UAE, while overseeing key markets in the Middle East and Africa (outside KSA).
Cotterill brings over 25 years of experience in the health and wellness industry, spanning sales, operations, and customer service.
She previously served as Chief Distribution Officer (CDO) at Cigna Healthcare MEA, developing a customer-focused operating model that enabled the organisation to achieve its strategic priorities.
Enhancing services
She was instrumental in launching SmartCare by Cigna Healthcare, the region’s first open-access network health insurance product and played a crucial role in Cigna Healthcare’s geographic expansion into Africa.
She joined Cigna in 2008, building the Client Management capability in the Middle East. In 2013, she led the Client Management Team for Global Health Benefits in North America before returning to the Middle East to spearhead the global client migration to Cigna’s new operating model.
“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 said.