Willis Towers Watson
In 1828 Henry Willis began his career as a merchant selling imported goods on commission in the UK at the Baltic Exchange in London.
Willis applied for membership of Lloyd’s in 1848, where he started to broker insurance for the cargoes of commodities he sold on commission. As his enterprise grew, he became involved in the hull business, establishing himself in marine insurance and founding Henry Willis & Company.
Today WTW, created by the merger of Willis and Towers Watson in 2016, aims to provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital to help make organization more resilient, motivate workforces, and maximize performance. It operates in 140 countries and markets.
London broker association shakes up board
The London and International Insurance Brokers’ Association (Liiba) has made several appointments to its board.
CNA creates chief underwriting role
CNA Insurance has appointed John Taylor to the newly-created role of chief underwriting officer.
Disappointing results for Willis show income halved last year
Willis has reported total commissions and fees of $816m (£520m) for the fourth quarter of 2011, down from $823m in the same quarter of 2010.
Willis N² reveals 10 new members
Willis has unveiled 10 new members for its Willis N² network, representing smaller provincial and start-up brokers, taking total membership to 34.
Ex-Gallagher Heath MD joins Knowlden Titlow
Knowlden Titlow Insurance Brokers has appointed Rod Palmer, former managing director of Gallagher Heath’s Norwich branch, as broking director.
Cruise ship disaster costliest in maritime history
The Costa Concordia crash could be the biggest insured loss in maritime history.
Motor premium hardening grinds to a halt
Motor insurance premiums rose by only 0.05% for the average comprehensive policy in the final quarter of 2011, a survey by Confused.com and Towers Watson has revealed.
Aon swoops for Willis COO
Aon Risk Solutions, the global risk management business of Aon Corporation, has appointed Chris Lee-Smith as chief operating officer of its UK retail business.
New account executive for Jelf Manson
Jelf Manson has appointed Alastair Teague as account executive.
Powerplace director put on gardening leave
Powerplace and its sales and marketing director have parted company, Insurance Age can reveal.
The Giles Group bags McManus
Former Willis CEO, Brendan McManus, has been appointed CEO of the Giles Group.
Willis Networks secures chartered status
The Willis Networks team has been granted chartered insurance brokers status by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).
Garwyn appoints ex-Marsh CEO
Loss adjuster Garwyn has appointed Artur Niemczewski as chief executive officer.
Aon takes 10 floors of 'Cheese Grater'
Aon is to move into the heart of the London insurance community after agreeing to take 10 floors of the Leadenhall Building in Leadenhall Street.
Jelf targets South-East business
Jelf Insurance has appointed Lee Gwilliam as business development executive to boost the company’s profile in the South East.
Nine more for Willis Networks
Willis Networks has signed up nine new members, taking total membership to 125 independent UK brokers.
Products: Willis offers hotels cover against loss of reputation
Willis has teamed up with Lloyd’s of London underwriter Kiln to create Hotel Reputation Protection 2.0, a new policy designed to limit the financial fallout from negative public relations exposure for hotels.
Product roundup: Cleaning up in a commercial niche
Groupama is aiming to sweep up business in the cleaning world, an industry it believes has a turnover of £5.3bn a year. The latest addition to its Exclusively range, which is available for open market trading, allows brokers to flex their commission…
It’s tough at the top
Is the spate of high-profile departures at the top of large industry players indicative of deeper troubles in the market?
Income down at Willis UK
Willis Group has announced a 4% growth in commission and fees for the third quarter of 2011 to $755m (£472.6m) compared to $723m in the same period of 2010.
Willis promotes from within to replace McManus
Willis has appointed Daniel Wilkinson as chief executive officer for Willis United Kingdom & Ireland (WUKI).
Jardine Matheson increases JLT stake to 40%
Jardine Matheson’s bid for a 10% increase in its shareholding of JLT has won both shareholder and regulatory support.
King quits RFIB
RFIB has confirmed that chief executive officer and minority shareholder Marshall King will be leaving the company and that current group chief financial officer Jonathan Turnbull will take up the position of CEO with immediate effect.
Insurance Age blog: McManus for Towergate?
Well the big news this week is the departure of Brendan McManus, CEO of Willis UK, from the company.