UAE—Cigna Healthcare, the leading global health services company, has named Leah Cotterill as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Cigna Healthcare – Middle East and Africa (excluding KSA).
This appointment marks a significant milestone as Cotterill becomes the first female CEO to lead an international health insurance company in the UAE.
This landmark decision is in alignment with the UAE’s steadfast commitment to increasing the inclusion of women in leadership roles and fostering gender equality across various sectors.
In her new role, Cotterill is set to drive the organization’s strategic growth and expand access to high-quality healthcare solutions across the UAE.
Additionally, she will oversee key markets in the Middle East and Africa (excluding KSA).
Cotterill brings over 25 years of extensive experience in the health and wellness industry, covering diverse areas such as sales, operations, and customer service.
Prior to her new role, she served as the Chief Distribution Officer (CDO) at Cigna Healthcare MEA.
During her tenure as CDO, she developed a customer-focused operating model that significantly enabled the organization to achieve its strategic priorities.
She was also 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.
Having joined Cigna in 2008, Cotterill initially focused on building the Client Management capability in the Middle East.
By 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.
Jerome Droesch, the previous CEO for Cigna Healthcare in the region, has now taken on a broader role as CEO – International Organizations, Domestic Health and Health Services, International Health.
Commenting on Cotterill’s appointment, Droesch stating that her position as the first female leader to oversee Cigna shows diverse thinking and a renewed perspective on women’s leadership in the region.
He also expressed confidence 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.
Droesch further noted that Leah’s experience working across diverse markets, including the Middle East, United States, and United Kingdom, demonstrates her as a proven leader with an international mindset and an appreciation for the nuances of different business environments.
Expressing her appreciation, Cotterill shared her excitement about taking on this role within Cigna Healthcare.
She highlighted that the MEA region is primed for leading global healthcare innovation, and that the diverse and youthful population is key to ensuring greater access to high-quality care, in line with their commitment to enhancing the health and vitality of communities.
She also mentioned that the UAE offers a unique opportunity to advance healthcare accessibility and empower communities to thrive.
Furthermore, she pointed out that Dubai’s strategic position as a global business and innovation hub, supported by the country’s robust infrastructure, significantly contributes to the UAE’s high standards for health-related quality of life.
Cotterill has actively championed gender equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout her career.
She is an avid supporter of Cigna Healthcare’s ‘Women in Networking’ (WIN) initiative.
She holds an MBA with distinction from Hult International Business School, graduating with the prestigious Hodges Scholar.
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