Christelle is an insurance entrepreneur who has a proven track record in building sustainable specialist insurance businesses.

Christelle founded Thatch Risk Acceptances in 1998, reinvented MUA as a fully-fledged personal lines underwriter from a previously specialist motor underwriter in 2005 and founded Elite Risk Acceptances in 2019.

Ami is her latest entrepreneurial venture where she aims to bring meaningful, positive change to the personal lines insurance market in South Africa.

Zaida Mia joined Ami Underwriting Managers as Executive of Operations in August 2022, bringing over 15 years of experience in the short-term insurance industry.

Her background includes senior leadership roles in Operations, Client Services, and Sales, and she has worked with leading insurers like Hollard, OM Insure and Santam.

Zaida’s expertise in personal lines and high net worth markets aligns with our mission to be South Africa’s friendliest insurance partner to our brokers. Outside of work, she enjoys an active lifestyle, loves the ocean, and values community and family time. Her dedication and energy are invaluable to our team.

Raashied brings over a decade of hands-on experience in the short-term insurance space, where operational leadership, risk thinking, and service excellence have shaped his career. With roots at Santam and experience in both insurer and brokerage environments, Raashied knows the industry inside out—particularly when it comes to personal lines.

Known for keeping things calm, clear, and client-focused, Raashied leads with a steady hand and a digital mindset. He’s passionate about building systems that serve people—not the other way around—and he’s not afraid to challenge outdated ways of working.

At Ami, Raashied plays a key role in making our operations smoother, our service sharper, and our partner relationships stronger. He’s a believer in clarity, compassion, and doing the right thing—even when it’s the hard thing.