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.
UK car insurance premiums rose 5% in Q4 2021
Despite car insurance dropping by 6% in 2021, the final quarter of the year saw the first increases in premium since 2020.
People Moves: 13 - 17 December 2021
Catch up with the latest personnel changes from the world of insurance.
People Moves: 6-10 December 2021
Keep up to the date with the latest industry moves.
Interview: Sara Fardon – Willis Towers Watson Networks
After taking home this year’s Achievement Award at Broker Expo 2021, Sara Fardon, managing director Willis Networks, talks to Insurance Age about her career in insurance and the value of broker networks.
Gallagher completes $3.25bn Willis Re deal
The broking giant will combine WTW's treaty reinsurance brokerage operations with its existing reinsurance business under the brand Gallagher Re.
People Moves: 29 November - 3 December 2021
Keep up to date with the latest industry moves.
Market Analysis: Broking consolidation from 2010 to today – how the top 100 has changed
Insurance Age content director Jonathan Swift charts consolidation among the top 100 intermediaries from 2010 to today and reflects on the biggest winners in terms of M&A success
News Analysis - How is US money reshaping the UK market?
David Worsfold explores the power of the dollar in broking and examines the drivers behind US investment into the UK market.
Matson flags 9% organic growth at Gallagher
Q3 figures for the global business show brokerage revenue of $1.5bn.
Motor premiums continue to fall in Q3
Premiums are the cheapest they have been since mid-2015, but the rate at which prices are falling has slowed in the last three months, according to Confused/Willis Towers Watson.
CMA launches investigation into Gallagher-Willis Re deal
The competition watchdog says it is considering whether the transaction could result in a lessening of competition in the UK.
GRP completes deal for WTW's Northern Ireland business
The deal was announced in July and brings £65m in GWP to GRP's Northern Ireland business ABL Group.
Saga takes pricing director from WTW
Graham Wright joins from Willis Towers Watson where he is currently a senior director.
Dive In kicks off today with a focus on active allyship
The festival runs over three days with mental health, gender equality and racial inclusion highlighted as key issues to be tackled as a priority in the insurance sector.
David Williams to leave Axa UK after 41 years
WTW’s David Ovenden takes up the role of chief underwriting officer for commercial as Williams pursues non-exec career.
Regulators bare their teeth: is this the new normal for mergers?
News analysis: David Worsfold examines whether regulators are likely to take a tougher stance on insurance sector mergers in the future, following the collapse of the Aon/Willis Towers Watson deal.
WTW names chief financial officer
After revealing leadership changes earlier this month, WTW appoints a former member of the team as its new CFO.
Zurich pledges match funding scheme ahead of Insurance Day of Giving
Insurance Cares: Zurich Community Trust is set to match funding donations during this year's Insurance Day of Giving, which takes place on 4 November.
WTW names new president and CEO
Carl Hess is to take over the reins on 1 January 2022, succeeding current boss John Haley who is set to retire.
Gallagher signs reshaped $3.25bn Willis Re deal
The broker is to buy the WTW treaty reinsurance operations following the collapse of the original deal.
Willis: Predator or Prey?
News analysis: Following the Aon/Willis Towers Watson deal collapse David Worsfold explores if WTW will turn hunter or hunted amid the fallout from the failed $30bn deal.
Gallagher reports rise in brokerage revenues for H1 2021
Simon Matson, CEO, Europe, Middle East and Asia, said the UK division had seen organic growth of 9%.
Aon: Executive committee shuffled post-deal collapse
Aon, which abandoned its $30bn merger deal to buy WTW earlier this week, has shared its new leadership structure.
Gallagher divestment deal aborted after WTW/Aon merger breaks down
Gallagher had been set to buy £3.6bn of WTW assets including Willis Re as part of Aon/WTW divestment plans ahead of their proposed combination.