Willis Selects Acturis to Help Transform UK Retail Business
New end-to-end broking system to enhance client service
London, UK, May 14, 2009 - Willis UK & Ireland (WUKI), a unit of Willis Group Holdings
(NYSE: WSH), the global insurance broker, has chosen Acturis as their technology partner to deliver a
new end-to-end broking system to support its UK Retail business. As part of a major business
transformation programme, the Acturis platform will support the streamlining of business processes and administration. This will
free up time for Willis Associates allowing them to increase the amount of dedicated client-facing activity
they undertake.
A key part of the Acturis implementation is the electronic transmission and receipt of submissions to insurers
which will improve not only the format of documents issued but the speed at which Willis
can deliver these to clients. In addition, electronic storage of client data means speedier responses to
client queries.The project team, drawing on expertise from across the WUKI business and working in partnership
with Atos Consulting, carried out a review of the functionality, support and implementation of various systems
as part of an extensive tender process, before selecting Acturis.
WUKI is looking to drive significant process efficiencies throughout its entire UK business over 2009 and 2010
and the Acturis system is a key pillar in this initiative. Willis has begun the implementation
phase with an initial focus on its commercial regions branch network.
Brendan McManus, CEO of Willis UK & Ireland commented, "This transformation of the WUKI business is a
key project to 'future proof' our business and to deliver consistent margin improvement over the next
five years. Our focus is on delivering outstanding client service and superior products that consistently outperform
the competition, and the Acturis platform will be a significant enabler of those service enhancements. The
WUKI transformation will turn our vision into reality over the next 18 months."
The transformation programme will see Willis initially add over 250 users to the Acturis system across nine
offices, starting with the commercial segment. In 2010, the rollout will broaden into the mid market
and major accounts arena and by the end of the year, Willis will have added more
than 700 users in total. The Willis Commercial Network, the broker's association of local, independent insurance
brokers in the UK, will also have the opportunity to use the Acturis system. The system
will provide access to Willis Commercial products and processes and enable Network brokers to interact seamlessly
with Willis and with fellow Network members.
Theo Duchen, Co-CEO of Acturis said, "Willis is a blue-chip, prestige client and we are very pleased
to be working in partnership with them. The selection process was the toughest and most thorough
we have ever been through, and this degree of project rigour will stand us in good
stead for the future. Both parties know what is required, and we are confident that this
project will deliver the required benefits to Willis as an organisation."
Chris Lee-Smith, Change and Strategy Director for WUKI, said, "Our transformation programme has many benefits for Willis,
our Associates and our clients. We are fundamentally changing the way we transact business with a
view to improving the experiences of not only our clients, but our people as well. I
very much believe we have teamed up with the right partners in both Atos Consulting and
Acturis to ensure our long-term success."
Willis Group Holdings Limited is a leading global insurance broker, developing and delivering professional insurance, reinsurance, risk
management, financial and human resource consulting and actuarial services to corporations, public entities and institutions around
the world. Willis has more than 400 offices in nearly 120 countries, with a global team
of approximately 20,000 Associates serving clients in some 190 countries. Additional information on Willis may be
found at www.willis.com .
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