General Insurance Article - Willis to combine global speciality and UK retail businesses

 Willis Group Holdings has announced changes to the structure of its UK-based insurance operations, combining its global specialty insurance business with the Willis UK retail business to create a market leading client proposition.

 David Martin, currently the ceo of the UK retail business, will lead the newly combined business and report to Steve Hearn, deputy ceo of Willis Group.

 Hearn comments “The decision to better connect Willis’s world leading concentration of specialty expertise in the London Market with the first class retail client servicing capabilities of Willis UK will greatly enhance our client proposition. The UK-based business will continue to serve our clients globally and these changes will also ensure we deliver the best of our global expertise and capabilities within this key market and beyond.”

 Martin added “Today’s announcement will enable us to be more responsive to the demands of corporate clients, and grow our market share, both here in the UK and worldwide. The strength of our specialist global broking and product capabilities in London is a source of great pride and something we intend to develop further for the benefit of all Willis clients.”

 Dominic Casserley, CEO of the Willis Group, comments “As we continue to focus on bringing the best risk advisory and broking capabilities to our clients, connecting all our capabilities together is a key to our success. This action in the UK will sharpen the connection between our retail and specialty capabilities in that country, creating a seamless client proposition which will act as an example for improved client service globally.”