South Africa’s largest short-term insurer, Santam, has appointed insurance executive Hemant Gulati as country head for its India-based operation a Gujani International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City).
GIFT City, India’s first operational greenfield smart city and International Financial Services Centre, has become a strategic hub for global financial services firms.
Santam secured its licence to establish a branch office there at the start of 2026, enabling the insurer to build on its foothold in the Indian market while expanding its international treaty and facultative reinsurance capabilities.
Gulati will serve as principal officer of the business, joins from UNISON Insurance Broking Services, where he held the role of senior executive vice-president and business head for reinsurance at GIFT City.
In his new role, he will lead Santam’s GIFT City operations, focusing on expanding the group’s specialty insurance and reinsurance platform, strengthening global partnerships and driving sustainable long-term growth.
Strengthening presence in India
Gareth Beaver, Santam Specialist Solutions CEO, said the appointment comes as Santam aims to sharpen international growth strategy and strengthen presence in India.
“Hemant brings close to two decades of experience across insurance and reinsurance, with deep expertise in building reinsurance portfolios, structuring complex risk transfer solutions and driving strategic growth across domestic and international markets.
“He has led facultative and treaty operations, built reinsurance capacity arrangements and expanded business relationships across more than 30 countries. We are excited about his appointment and look forward to his leadership in growing our India business,” said Beaver.
Gulati’s strong credentials
Gulati holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from Vidyavardhini College of Engineering.
Gulati brings close to two decades of experience spanning insurance and global reinsurance. His career began at Puri Crawford Surveyors & Loss Adjusters in Mumbai, where he developed early expertise in handling large industrial and engineering losses.
Santam believes this foundation supported his progression into broader roles across risk engineering underwriting advisory and corporate client servicing, equipping him with a comprehensive understanding of complex risk management for large enterprises.
Gulati said he is looking forward to contributing to Santam’s international growth journey.
“India is a dynamic and fast-growing market, and I look forward to building strong partnerships, driving growth and contributing to Santam’s expansion in the region,” said Gulati.
- Santam, South Africa’s largest short-term insurer, appointed Hemant Gulati as head of its India-based branch located in GIFT City, India's first operational greenfield smart city and International Financial Services Centre.
- The insurer secured a license to establish its branch office in GIFT City starting in 2026, aiming to expand its specialty insurance, reinsurance offerings, and international treaty and facultative reinsurance capabilities in the Indian market.
- Gulati joins from UNISON Insurance Broking Services, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in insurance and reinsurance, with expertise in complex risk transfer solutions and global partnerships across over 30 countries.
- In his new role, Gulati will focus on expanding Santam’s specialty insurance and reinsurance platform in India, strengthening global partnerships, and driving sustainable long-term growth.
- Santam sees India as a strategic market for international growth, with CEO Gareth Beaver expressing confidence that Gulati’s leadership will enhance Santam’s presence and development in the region.
