In November 2026, Marsh announced plans to offer captive insurance management in Bahrain. It made the announcement at Gateway Gulf, held on 1 and 2 November, and dated its press release 3 November. Marsh says it intends to become the first international broker to offer the service in the Kingdom.

Start with one contract

A regional sponsor comparing Bahrain with other Gulf domiciles should separate the legal and regulatory review from the manager’s delivery proposal. Ask what the captive may write, who would issue a local group policy, whether a fronting insurer would cede the risk and what collateral and claims reporting it would require. Obtain these answers for one existing contract before extrapolating to a multinational portfolio.

Local capacity matters as much as the domicile’s rules. Establish which tasks would be handled in Bahrain and which would depend on specialists elsewhere. Request examples of solvency reporting, claims reconciliation and service continuity plans. Stress the structure with a poor claims year that coincides with pressure on the parent’s cash position.

Independent non-executive directors should challenge the information provided to the board on capital, related-party transactions and the performance of major counterparties. They should also ask whether policy and claims obligations could be maintained if the captive had to replace a service provider.

Marsh’s plan gives employers and advisers another option to investigate. However, a decision to proceed depends on evidence that the specific programme is both permitted and operationally viable.

Sources

Marsh | Gateway Gulf event: 1-2 November 2026 – Marsh plans Bahrain captive-management expansion as Gulf capacity grows