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At the inaugural Willis Commercial Network Live conference yesterday, the Willis Networks team announced that it has been awarded the prestigious "Chartered Insurance Brokers" title by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). Part of Willis Group Holdings (NYSE: WSH), the global insurance broker, the Willis Networks team manages Willis Networks, comprising the Willis Commercial Network and Willis N�, and is the first broker network team in the UK to achieve this status.

Chartered status is an exclusive title only awarded to firms that meet rigorous criteria in relation to professionalism and capability. To achieve this status the Willis Networks team was able to demonstrate to the CII that it works in an ethical manner and places the clients' interests at the heart of the advice it gives.

Sara Fardon, Managing Director, Willis Networks said, "This demonstration of our professionalism is a key part of our Network strategy.  Our Network members are renowned for their quality and so it's essential that the Willis team can demonstrate our own commitment to quality and professionalism."

To date, less than 100 firms have achieved Chartered status, but of these over 10 percent of all chartered UK brokers are Willis Network members. "Increasingly insurers and clients will differentiate and chose those brokers that can display the highest standards. Setting ourselves apart from the competition is exceptionally important. Throughout 2012, we will be working with our members to increase the number of brokers who achieve chartered status," said Fardon.

Congratulating the team, Dan Wilkinson, CEO, Willis UK &  Ireland, said, "This is a great achievement for Sara and her team and shows that Willis Networks not only talks the talk, but walks the walk too! We are creating a high-performing network run by professionals for professionals and are delighted that the CII has recognised this by awarding us Chartered status."Willis Commercial Network Live, held in The Willis Building, London, attracted over 150 independent brokers who came to hear plans for a redefinition of the Network's strategy and to meet with the Willis Networks team to discuss ways that Willis can help them grow and develop their businesses.

Willis Group Holdings (NYSE: WSH), the global insurance broker, today announced that nine new members have joined Willis Networks, its alliance with local, independent insurance brokers in the UK. Willis Networks is made up of the Willis Commercial Network (WCN), which represents larger independent brokers and Willis N2, representing smaller provincial brokers.

The WCN welcomed five new members: RMK Insurance Consultants, Fenchurch Private Clients Limited, Resolute Insurance Services, Astute Insurance Solutions Ltd and J&A Brokers Limited.

• Based in Hadleigh, Essex RMK Insurance Consultants are specialists in Property Owners and Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance. RMK joined the Willis Commercial Network to help realise their growth aspirations.
• Fenchurch Private Clients are a new Surrey-based start-up. The founders experienced the considerable benefits of being part of the WCN while working with previous brokers and were keen to bring the relationship, along with their considerable broking experience, to their new business. 
• Resolute Insurance Services based in Walsall, West Midlands began trading as an appointed representative of an existing WCN member. Now an independent broker in its own right, Resolute continues to thrive as a general insurance broker.
• Northampton-based Astute Insurance Solutions Ltd was founded by three directors with over 50 years broking experience between them. It is focused on complex commercial insurance business.
• Based in Manchester, J&A Brokers Limited was drawn to the WCN for the breadth and strength of its insurer relationships and the international placement support offered by Willis to its members.

The four new Willis N2 members are Crest Insurance Consultants Ltd, BCS Hendricks Ltd, Baron Martin Associates and Town & Country Financial Services (UK) Ltd:

• Crest Insurance Consultants Ltd, based in Yiewsley, Middlesex is a general insurance broker offering personal and commercial lines. It specialises in PI, Liabilities and Contractors cover.
• BCS Hendricks Ltd is based in Pitscottie, Fife. It specialises in Farm and Estate Insurance, owner-managed SME's and High Value household insurance.
• Baron Martin Associates is a family-run general insurance broker based in Melksham, Wiltshire. It was established in 1965 and offers both Commercial and Personal Insurance products. 
• Starting as appointed representatives in 2008 and becoming fully FSA registered in 2010, Town & Country Financial Services Ltd is a rapidly growing, dynamic Huddersfield-based company.

Welcoming the new members, Sara Fardon, Managing Director of Willis Networks, said, "Willis Networks offers a strong and dynamic proposition to support the changing needs of regional brokers. We remain relevant and supportive to our members' differing growth priorities.  Our high retention and new member signings demonstrate the value of the Willis Networks to independent brokers, of all sizes, around the UK."

The new signings take Willis Networks membership up to 125 independent broker members.

Willis & Co (Insurance Brokers) Ltd, a leading independent Belfast based broker and Member of the Willis Commercial Network has been awarded Network Member of the Year at the UK Broker Awards 2011.

Members of the Willis Commercial Network have access to Willis' global resources and facilities, including its specialist divisions and global placement group. In addition Members receive a broad range of training, as well as strategic marketing, regulation, compliance, business development and sales support.