The United Insurance Brokers (UIB) Group is a global independent insurance intermediary business.  It is headquartered in London, England and has an office network that stretches through Europe, the MENA region and across Asia.  UIB was founded in 1987 and has now grown to be the eighth largest reinsurance broker in the world.  Its product line expertise extends from aviation & space to construction & engineering to marine cargo & hull to offshore & onshore energy to liability & property to facultative & treaty reinsurance.

Following on from changes to the Brazilian insurance legislation during April 2008, UIB commenced its Latin American reinsurance operations in Brazil late last year by forming UIB Re Brasil Corretora de Resseguros Ltda (“UIB Brasil”) with an initial office in Rio de Janeiro and another in São Paulo.
Mr. Victor Maia was appointed as Presidente - Chief Executive Officer of UIB Brasil.  He brings to UIB a wealth of intermediary expertise at a senior level in both Brazil and the USA.  The UIB Brasil team is gradually being built to meet the needs of the reinsurance community.

Mr. Bassem Kabban, UIB Group Chief Executive Officer, returned to Brazil in early November 2009 to see first hand for himself just how far UIB Brasil has grown over the year.  He commented “Ever since our founding more than two decades ago, UIB has prided itself in offering the best service for our clients.  Listening clearly to our clients enables us to meet their risk needs.  This is the ultimate reason for our success and is of course our company’s core value across our network.

“We are acutely aware that Brazil has the largest national economy in Latin America and is the world's tenth biggest economy.  The country is rich in natural resources and has experienced real GDP growth for the last five years.  Having enhanced its international profile and introduced economic reforms, Brazil has expanded its presence in the financial and commodities markets.  The increased stability and growth potential of the economy has attracted extensive foreign investment.  These positive developments are also evidenced in Brazil’s insurance sector.

“UIB has dealt with Latin America for quite some time.  With the improvements in the Brazilian economy and the changes to the insurance legislation, we felt that UIB could now add real value by opening for business in the country.  After careful consideration, we chose Mr. Victor Maia to lead the UIB business in Brazil.

“We feel very confident about UIB Brasil’s business offering.  Over the year, we have built strong relationships with key industries and the local insurance markets.  We are confident of the positive contribution that UIB Brasil can make to the UIB Group.

“UIB is of course very proud to be recognised by Business Insurance as the eighth largest reinsurance broker in the world.  We would especially thank our clients and partners for their assistance in UIB achieving this honour.”

Mr. Victor Maia, UIB Brasil Presidente - Chief Executive Officer, stated that “UIB is a fairly new intermediary in Brazil and we have only recently completed our first year of operation.  Whilst this first year has been particularly difficult for the entire insurance industry, it has been extremely successful for UIB Brasil.

“UIB’s unique focus on clients’ needs and our appointment of talented experienced staff has enabled us to provide our expertise in all lines of reinsurance with special emphasis in aviation, CAR/EAR, liability and proportional treaties.  Our highly specialized team in Brazil works alongside UIB colleagues throughout the world to provide innovative, efficient and customised risk solutions for our clients which fulfill their reinsurance needs from cradle to grave.”