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.
Brendan McManus parts company with Willis
Willis has announced the departure of Brendan McManus, CEO of Willis.
Clear appoints from Willis Networks
Clear Insurance Management has appointed Simon Taylor, previously regional managing director for Willis Network, to the role of executive director.
Willis and Kiln launch new protection policy for hotels
Willis Group and Kiln, a Lloyd’s of London underwriter, have joined forces to create a policy aimed at protecting hotels from financial loss arising out of adverse publicity.
Willis Argentina names new CEO
Willis has appointed Seth Peller CEO of Willis Argentina with immediate effect.
Grant Ellis scoops achievement award at UK Broker Awards
Bartlett & Co won both the Chartered and Commercial Lines Broker of the Year awards and Broker Network’s Grant Ellis bagged the Achievement Award at this year's UK Broker Awards.
Editor’s letter - August 2011
“My guess is that although there will be further high-profile examples made, this type of practice will continue unfettered”
Network Spotlight day 11: Willis’ Fardon foresees imminent network mergers
Sara Fardon, managing director of Willis Networks, claims in the penultimate interview for Network Spotlight that 43% of brokers are part of a network or a club and that weaker networks could fold within a year.
Network spotlight series
Insurance Age has interviewed the leaders of the networks to ask them why there are more brokers outside networks than in and what steps they have taken to help members in the past year.
UK plc disadvantaged by bribery crackdown
If the FSA pursues firms over bribery it could lead to UK companies losing business abroad
Burke predicts interim profits at Thistle in 2012
Chief executive of JLT, Dominic Burke, has predicted that Thistle Insurance will beat its 2010 full year trading profit of £4.8m this year.
Willis Networks in member deal with Our Network
Willis Networks and the Broker Direct-owned Our Network have announced a partnership that will give Our Network members access to products and services of Willis’ N² proposition.
Regional brokers win business because of service, says study
Just under half of commercial insurance clients prefer to work with regional brokers, according to findings from Pearlfinders Risk Index.
Lawyers issue warnings after Willis’ record £6.9m fine
Following Willis’ record £6.9m anti-bribery fine from the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the legal profession has warned insurance brokers on the need to have and implement relevant policies and procedures.
Willis responds to record £6.9m FSA fine
Insurance broking giant Willis has responded to the Financial Services Authority's (FSA) record breaking £6.895m fine to its subsidiary Willis Limited flagging up that it had been swift to engage with the regulator on the matter.
FSA hits Willis with record anti-bribery fine
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has fined Willis £6.895m for failings in its anti-bribery and corruption systems and controls.
Slow down in car insurance price rises
The average price of a comprehensive car insurance policy rose by 2.7% in the second quarter of 2011, according to the Confused.com and Towers Watson Car Insurance Price Index.
Sandy Scott takes Achievement Award at 2011 British Insurance Awards
Sandy Scott, chief executive, Chartered Insurance Institute, was given the Achievement Award at the British Insurance Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in front of 1800 fellow industry professionals.
Aspen makes new senior appointment
Aspen Insurance has appointed a new manager of distribution and business development in the UK.
Escalating claims decimating UK motor results, says Towers Watson
New figures from the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries have revealed that one in four UK third party motor claims involves a bodily injury element.
Get involved with Insurance Age’s Network Spotlight
Insurance Age has secured video interviews with 11 of the leading broker networks in the insurance market and during July the senior leaders will be put under the spotlight to answer your questions.
Willis claims industry first with grey fleet scheme
Willis has launched a pay-as-you-go insurance scheme to address issues arising from allowing staff to drive their own cars on business - the so-called grey fleet.
Willis splits CEO and chairman role
Willis has appointed Rodney Baker-Bates as an independent non-executive chairman while CEO of Willis UK and Ireland, Brendan McManus has been named CEO of Willis.
Biba 2011: Trade bodies must work together, says Homer
Insurance industry trade bodies need to join forces to solve the problems surrounding the handling of client money, according to Towergate's Andy Homer.