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.
Biba boosts board
Brendan McManus, chief executive of Willis UK and Ireland, and Ken Davidson, chairman of Crispin Speers, join board
Aon boosts Manchester division
Kelvin Chadwick joins as sales director from broker Bridge
Senior executive leaves Willis to return to Marsh
Julian Macey-Dare launched career at Marsh but left in 1995.
Willis launches first national network in Northern Ireland
Willis Commercial Network also hopes to establish a network in the Republic of Ireland
Willis completes Ireland move
Move approved by the Supreme Court of Bermuda
Willis rolls out Acturis software offering to broker community
Move follows Willis' adoption of Acturis software for main broking operation
Willis: FI insurance market shows signs of softening
Hard market for financial institutions insurance unlikely to last until end of 2010, according to Willis report
Willis makes Ireland move
Shareholders approve move at specially convened meeting
Willis hires new MD
Michiel Bakker will be responsible for developing Willis Capital Markets and Advisory unit in Europe
Aon raids competition for new aviation hires
Six new staff to join from Marsh, Willis and Lockton
Market Moves
A monthly look at who is moving where
Willis Networks branch overseas
Mark Radburn to take control of global operation
Willis CFO defects to Aviva
A search has been launched to find a suitable replacement
New CEO for Willis Ireland
Brian Curtis leaves Aon to take on new role
WCN aims to eliminate inefficiency
Willis Commercial Network has launched a new initiative with its insurer partners
AIG UK appoints COO
Former Willis man takes up newly-created role
Willis board gives go ahead for move to Ireland
Company now awaits shareholders' and Supreme Court vote
MCE steals the show at the UK Broker Awards 2009
Winning two awards, including Intermediary of the year
Insurance M&A activity to increase, say Willis
The broker has claimed that the soft market was fuelling mergers and acquisitions
Linking up
In this month's debate, network leaders come together to explore partnership benefits and success stories and question whether the thriving sector has now reached full capacity. Liz McMahon reports
2020 professional vision published
A report from the Insurance Industry Working Group sets out a vision of financial education to restore public trust, writes Anthony Gould.
Net income boost for Willis
Willis releases results for second quarter