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.
Sullivan returns at Willis
Former AIG boss Martin Sullivan, who was in charge during the financial crisis, returns to work.
Willis to appeal Indian regulatory renewal rejection and form new joint venture
Willis Group Holdings is to appeal the decision by the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA) that it is "not inclined to accept" the license renewal application of the broker's joint venture in India, Willis India Insurance Brokers Pvt…
Brokers targeted with new PowerPlace appointment
Online commercial insurance marketplace PowerPlace has appointed Darren Rowe as sales director.
Willis report predicts further insurance rate softening in power sector
Insurance rates in the power sector are expected to soften further in 2010, despite the existence of many of the conditions that would normally lead to a hardening market, according to the latest Power Market Review from Willis.
Willis reports return to UK growth
Willis has reported net income from continuing operations for the quarter ended 30 June 2010 was $89m. The figure is above last year’s $87m in the same period.
Insurance industry prepares for Olympics red alert
The insurance industry has been warned to prepare for every eventuality, including a terrorist attack, in the lead up to the Olympics in 2012.
Willis slams Aon's stance on contingent commissions
Willis Group Holdings has responded to the announcement by Aon Corporation that it would resume accepting contingent commissions “where appropriate and legally permissible”.
Willis steps up contingent commission campaign
Willis Group Holdings has stepped up its campaign against contingent commissions by distributing a third-party white paper written by law firm Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge detailing what Willis describes as "the conflicts of interest created by the…
Rate increases stifled by 'fragile' global economy
Commercial rates remained flat during the first quarter of 2010, according to global professional services company Towers Watson.
Willis makes senior appointment
Willis Group Holdings has announced the appointment of Michael Neborak as executive vice president and group chief financial officer.
UIB boosts board with senior appointment
Insurance broker UIB has appointed Keith Anderson to the UIB Holdings Group board as group finance director.
Marsh launches insolvency practice
Marsh has launched a dedicated practice to provide risk and insurance advice to insolvency practitioners in the UK.
Willis Commercial Network celebrates two CII awards
Willis Commercial Network has announced that two members, Heartland (Midlands) and Peter Hattersley & Partners, have been recognised with 2010 Chartered Insurance Broker Awards by the Chartered Insurance Institute.
News Analysis: Brokers swarm ExCeL at Biba 2010
Emmanuel Kenning reviews a successful Biba conference at which brokers networked with insurance leaders and debated what the future holds under the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government.
Insurance Age interview: An even keel
For Phil Scarrett, managing the network operation at Willis is all about striking a balance between the need for growth and maintaining the community spirit. He tells Martin Friel how he keeps everyone happy.
Biba news: 'Black swans' are no longer 'freak' occurrences, cautions Willis boss
Willis chief executive and chairman, Joe Plumeri, has warned the broking industry that 'freak' occurrences are increasing in frequency and that the industry must adapt to this reality to survive.
BIBA 2010: Willis CEO questions FSA's "grandfathering" of Quinn
Willis chief executive Joe Plumeri has questioned the Financial Service Authority's (FSA) role in the problems revolving around Quinn Insurance.
UK Broker Awards now open for entries
The 2010 UK Broker Awards are open for entries
Garwyn appoints new CEO
Garwyn has appointed Stewart McCulloch as its new CEO with effect 1 June 2010.
Willis international results affected by weak UK market
In its first quarter results for 2010 Willis Group reported a net income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2010 of $204m (£134m) compared with $192m last year.
Willis appoints director
Willis Group Holdings has appointed Michael Somers as a director of the company and member of the risk committee of the board of directors.
Marsh grows Maidstone team
Marsh has appointed Steve Adams and John Bellingan, who both previously worked for Willis in Maidstone, to drive its new business development strategy and client servicing in the South East.
RFIB raids Willis for director
RFIB Group, the international Lloyd’s insurance and reinsurance broker, has announced the appointment of Karl Haynes as director of international claims.
UK Broker Summit 2010: Serious business and pleasure
The second annual UK Broker Summit was held recently at Horsham in West Sussex. Emmanuel Kenning shares the highlights from the speeches, meetings and social activities