Beirut, September 26, 2025 – Chedid Re, the reinsurance broker network of Chedid Capital Holding, a leading investment group in the (re)insurance industry, hosted its annual Lebanese lunch on September 26 at Fadel restaurant in Bekfaya, Lebanon. The 2025 edition of the lunch, aptly held under the theme “Here for You. Far Together”, reiterated Chedid Re’s commitment to its clients and partners across Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and Africa, celebrating their enduring relationships and shared successes. Returning after a year-long pause, the lunch marked an opportunity for Chedid Re to celebrate the resilience of businesses and partnerships in Lebanon and in the region.
This year’s edition also served as a platform for industry recognition, with special awards presented to regional and international leaders for their contribution and impact in advancing (re)insurance. Awardees and special guests included Chakib Abou Zeid, Secretary General of the General Arab Insurance Federation (GAIF); Assaad Mirza, President of ACAL (Association des Compagnies d’Assurances au Liban); Talal Ounsi, President of the Lebanese Insurance Brokers Syndicate (LIBS) and Elie Hanna, former President of the Lebanese Insurance Brokers Syndicate (LIBS).
“Since we last gathered, our region has experienced geopolitical shifts that have put the resilience of our industry, our communities, and our people to the test. This year’s gathering carries more weight, meaning, and momentum than ever. After a brief pause in 2024 due to the war in Lebanon, its return is a statement in itself. Beyond staying true to tradition, this annual lunch is about cementing our presence and partnerships, year after year, against all odds,” said Farid Chedid, Chairman and Group CEO of Chedid Capital, in his opening remarks. “We continue to deliver on our promise to serve our clients with dedication, transparency, and innovation, no matter how big or complex the challenge. Our ability to stay the course, to support our collective growth across markets and cycles, and to remain focused on building for the long term, together, is what we are celebrating today and sustaining for tomorrow – whatever it may bring.”
Elie Abi Rached, CEO of Global Operations at Chedid Re, added: “Returning to this venue, at this point in time, with so many familiar faces and shared success stories, reminds us of what truly moves our industry forward. Capital and infrastructure are crucial, but relationships forged over years and tested through uncertainty hold immeasurable staying power. This past year, we continued to build on these relationships, investing in technology, talent, and market expansion, all the while carefully navigating a complex and volatile geopolitical landscape. And we succeeded in turning grit into growth, as always, together.”
In the past few years, Chedid Re has considerably grown its network across Europe and Africa – launching its first African office out of Abidjan and its (re)insurance brokerage activities in France in 2022, and establishing its regional headquarters out of Saudi Arabia in 2023. In July 2024, Chedid Re Global Operations appointed industry veteran Vincent Vandendael as Independent Non-Executive Director, strengthening its global corporate governance framework in line with its international expansion. As of 2025, the network has been accelerating its expansion into the APAC (Asia-Pacific) region, having recently appointed Claude Kassab as Head of APAC, and Chaohua Huang as Associate Director – Business Development.