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.
Willis Towers Watson features in the Insurance Age Top 75 UK Brokers listing. Find out what other companies made the cut.
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.
Aon/WTW merger collapses amid US DOJ lawsuit
Aon is set to pay a $1bn termination fee to WTW as CEO Greg Case says the two businesses "reached an impasse with the US Department of Justice".
ABL boss targets further expansion after WTW buy
CEO Maurice Boyd tells Insurance Age how the recent WTW purchase came about and outlines the GRP-owned firm's future ambitions.
GRP buys WTW's Northern Ireland business
The portfolio will be integrated into GRP-owned ABL Group, doubling the Belfast-based broker's GWP to £107m.
European Commission clears Aon/WTW merger
But the deal is still on hold as a November trial looms in the United States and the New Zealand Commerce Commission also raises competition concerns.
US DoJ files lawsuit to block Aon/WTW merger
The two brokers have said they disagree with the move after the DoJ warns merger would “create a broking behemoth” and “threatens to eliminate competition, raise prices and reduce innovation”.
Dive In calls for active allyship as it confirms dates for 2021 festival
The seventh edition of the global festival for diversity and inclusion will take place on 21-23 September.
Aon/WTW to divest $3.6bn of assets to Gallagher ahead of merger
The sale includes Willis Re and is intended to address questions raised by regulators including the European Commission.
Armco launches Cape Insurance
The consultancy has developed a niche risk and insurance adviser for property investors, developers and the construction sector.
Blog: In search of the digital X-Factor
Dave Ovenden, of Willis Towers Watson, considers how the industry can ensure commercial cover isn't left behind amid the tech revolution.