Expat Stories – Mark Doherty

Mark Doherty is Cigna’s Head of Distribution, Individual Health, Middle East.

This is his expat story.

Wat zijn de mooiste hoogtepunten van je reis als expat tot nu toe?

I love to travel and Dubai is perfectly located to easily access so many places within a short flight time across the ME, Asia & Africa. I’ve been really lucky to experience so many wonderful places that I would never have traveled to if I’d stayed in Ireland.

The biggest highlight has to be the people I’ve met along my journey, particularly when I first moved abroad. They really helped me adjust and enjoy expat life!

What are your main responsibilities within your role?

I head up Cigna Global’s Healthguard sales team, across both the broker, and direct to consumer channels.

Together with a fantastic group of colleagues, I promote our individual health insurance offering, working in line with a strategic plan to achieve success for our business.

How would you describe your typical day at work?

I like to start off my day by getting up early and going out to visit our Broker partners. Visibility is absolutely key in this market, particularly as we are a new brand and new distribution line here in the UAE.

We’ve invested a lot of time and resource into training and educating our new distributors. My afternoon is typically spent in the office catching up with the sales teams or on internal calls with our Glasgow office.

What can you tell us about the development opportunities you’ve experienced within Cigna Global?

I’ve worked in the insurance industry for over 12 years. Since joining Cigna, I’ve been really impressed by the unique culture created that encourages participation in training, the access to leadership programs, diversity and also the social responsibility commitment to give back to the community. I’ve never experienced an organisation that is as invested in its people.

Especially working here as an expat in Dubai, it is really fantastic to be able to work amongst such cultural diversity. I think really benefits the organization and it’s absolutely fantastic to be able to mix in with colleagues from different backgrounds. 

What do you love most about your role?

I love the challenge that comes with starting a new brand in a new market for us. It has been an incredible learning experience for myself and the local team in Dubai, gaining so many insights over the past year.

It’s also fantastic being part of a global distribution team and being able to connect my colleagues across the globe who can help share their insights having faced similar challenges and successes they’ve experienced in their respective markets. This includes working closely with Andy Seale, Cigna GIPMI’s Global Chief Sales Officer.

What’s life in Dubai like? How different is it to home?

I’ve lived in Dubai for over 9 years and it really has been a life changing experience. I’m originally from Dublin, Ireland, and I made a decision at the time to live and work abroad as it was a chance to get a broader understanding of the world.

Dubai was the perfect place being a melting pot of different cultures with so many different nationalities. I met my wife here 5 years ago and whilst it is a transient place, Dubai is very much our home. Despite the summer humidity I can’t see us returning to the Irish weather anytime soon!

Hoe zou je als laatste je reis als expat in 10 woorden of minder beschrijven?

A culture shock. Given me a better understanding of myself.

Internationale ziektekostenverzekering

Expats kiezen vaak voor particuliere gezondheidszorg en het is belangrijk om dit te regelen voordat de verhuizing naar een ander land plaatsvindt.

Bij Cigna Global bieden we polissen speciaal voor expats zoals u, zodat u toegang krijgt tot een groot aantal verschillende opties en 24/7 ondersteuning wanneer u dit nodig heeft.

U kunt ook vertrouwen op onze vele jaren ervaring in het zorgen voor de gezondheid en het welzijn van onze klanten.

Meer informatie over onze polissen vindt u hier.