News

London, UK, July 29, 2011 – Willis Group Holdings (NYSE: WSH), the global insurance broker, today announced that Willis Networks, its alliance with regional, independent brokers in the UK, and Broker Direct Plc, the insurance management and underwriting agency, through its commercial insurance solution OurNetwork, have entered into a strategic alliance which will allow their respective members access to the services and facilities of the other. The arrangement is effective immediately.

Willis will work with Broker Direct to offer Willis Networks members access to Broker Direct personal lines and niche services, while the 280 members of OurNetwork will have the opportunity to tap into exclusive services and commercial products offered by Willis N�, the broker's network for smaller independent brokers.

Currently, Broker Direct trades over £110m of personal lines products and the 111 members that make up Willis Network place over £400m of commercial lines premium.

Terry Stanley, Broker Direct CEO said, "Since forming OurNetwork, we have continually looked at ways in which to extend the offering to members. This arrangement gives us access to the impressive range of tried and tested products and services which Willis Networks members have enjoyed for some time. It is hard to think of a better way to give our brokers such an immediate competitive advantage."

Sara Fardon, Willis Networks Managing Director added, "Working together, our individual network strengths will be greatly enhanced, and through this alliance we can offer all our members access to stronger business support and exposure to a much wider product portfolio, which we plan to expand by jointly developing new solutions."

Willis Group Holdings (NYSE: WSH), the global insurance broker, has attracted over 100 Willis Commercial Network members plus leading insurers to its three-day Forum in Alicante, Spain which starts today.

Themed "How to achieve growth in a stagnant economy", the annual event has attracted over 100 delegates from the Willis Commercial Network – Willis' alliance with local, independent insurance brokers in the UK and leading commercial insurers.

Sara Fardon, Managing Director, Willis Networks said, "Each year our members, our insurer partners and Willis get together to outline our strategic direction. This year we started a new phase in Willis Networks where we are collectively reaffirming our position as market makers and building our agenda for growth."

The Forum has attracted leading insurers including Amanda Blanc, AXA Commercial; Janice Deakin, Aviva; Stephen Albutt, Allianz; Chris Sime, RSA and Gary Wainwright of Zurich. They will be leading workshops focusing on enhancing and developing the unique relationships Willis Commercial Network members share with these insurers.

Highlights from the Forum will be tweeted out using the Willis Networks new Twitter feed @willisnetworks.

Willis UK & Ireland, part of Willis Group Holdings (NYSE: WSH), the global insurance broker, today announced that Brendan McCafferty has been appointed as Managing Director of its Commercial and Network businesses, effective immediately. Mr. McCafferty, who has been Managing Director of the broker's Commercial business since 2009 will continue to report to Brendan McManus, CEO, Willis UK & Ireland.

In his new role, Mr. McCafferty will assume overall leadership of the Commercial segment, with all distribution, including Direct, Affinity and Networks business. He will also continue to lead Willis Underwriting Programmes, the broker's Facilities / MGA business and the Personal and High Net Worth business.

Mr. McCafferty has been at Willis for three years and was initially responsible for the creation of Willis Underwriting Programmes prior to leading the Commercial business unit. Before that, he was Finance Director for RSA's UK Commercial division.

Sara Fardon, currently Development Director, Willis Underwriting, has been named Managing Director of the Willis Networks business, the broker's alliance with local, independent insurance brokers in the UK. Ms. Fardon worked as Insurer Relations Director for Willis Networks for nine years between 1999 and 2008. She will report to Mr. McCafferty. Following this change Phil Scarrett who previously led the Network business will leave the Group at the end of March.

Commenting on the changes, Mr. McManus said, "Brendan has shown exemplary leadership of our Commercial business and Willis Underwriting, building strong propositions and teams. His deep understanding of our offering and our clients' needs make him an ideal candidate for Managing Director of the combined business. He will have excellent support from Sara who is very experienced in Networks and will continue to grow Willis Commercial Network and Willis N², continuing the great work that Phil has done over the last two years."

Willis Group Holdings (NYSE: WSH), the global insurance broker, today announced that six 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's three new members are Powell Bateson Ltd, Portcullis Insurance Brokers Ltd. and Kingsland Robart & Co.:

• Powell Bateson, based in Liverpool, has joined the WCN to access specialist niche expertise within Willis for their clients and future development plans.
• Headquartered in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, Portcullis Insurance Brokers was founded by a team of four market professionals: Simon Page, Andrew Purdie, Damon Ashton and Company Director Phil Gooch who said, "We believe that the WCN is the best fit for our business. Willis provides support, expertise and flexibility along with all the bespoke facilities that will allow us to offer our clients a wider and more competitively priced range of quality insurance programmes."
• Established in 1984, Kingsland Robart & Co. in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, has particular expertise in high risk product liability insurance for the automotive sector. Brian Ellory, Principal, said, "We believe WCN's purchasing power combined with personal service and 21st century technology will enable us to offer even greater choice and service to our clients."

The three new Willis N� members are Britannia Consultants Services Limited, ASJ Insurance Services Ltd and Ifaeye Ltd:

• Britannia Consultants Services in Northwich, Cheshire was founded by former WCN member Elaine Farrell, previously of Barclay Brown, who has rejoined the Network with her new venture.
• Founded in 1994, ASJ Insurance Services in Solihull, West Midlands specialises in the engineering insurance sector with a large amount of its business coming from the construction industry and associated trades

• Based in Edinburgh, Ifaeye offers a wide range of financial services in Protection, Investment, Pensions and Mortgages where it operates a fee-based model. Due to high client demand it has recently expanded into the commercial insurance space. 

Welcomi the new members, Phil Scarrett, Managing Director of Willis Networks, said, "Our steadily growing membership shows the continuing strength and relevance of the Willis Networks community to those who wish to expand and develop their businesses. From start-ups to established names and brokers who have left consolidators, we offer sales support, training and access to our global resources."