Willis Group Appoints Rowan Douglas CEO Global Analytics
Douglas Also Appointed to UK Prime Ministers’ Council for Science & Technology
London, UK, November 18, 2011 – In response to the growing importance of Analytics across all domains
of insurance and risk management, it was announced today that Rowan Douglas has been appointed CEO
Global Analytics for Willis Group Holdings (NYSE: WSH), the global insurance broker.
Reporting to Group President, Grahame Millwater, Douglas will oversee all analytics-related activities and expenditures across Willis Group,
including the Willis Research Network, which has grown to become the world’s largest collaboration between public
science and the finance sector. Previously Douglas served as CEO Global Analytics at Willis Re.
Commenting on Douglas’ appointment and the centralisation of the Analytics function at Willis, Millwater said: “Following his
success at transforming Willis Re Analytics over the last five years I am delighted that Rowan
is stepping up to this expanded role.”
Millwater added: “There are significant opportunities to capitalise on the investments and capabilities made in Willis Re
Analytics and the Willis Research Network over recent years to respond to the ever-growing analytics requirements
across the reinsurance and retail divisions of Willis Group. This move enables us to harness our
sophisticated modelling and research capabilities to fulfil commitments under the Willis Cause by improving our understanding
of our clients’ business and developing the best solutions for them.”
In a separate development, Douglas was recently appointed to the UK Prime Minister’s Council for Science and
Technology (CST). The CST is the UK Government’s top-level advisory body on science and technology policy
issues that reports directly to the Prime Minister.
These moves are seen as further evidence of the increasing role of risk-related science, modelling and financial
decision making across both the public and private sectors. These trends have been further strengthened by
regulatory pressures and a growing recognition that financial resilience and operational security is a necessary platform
for sustainable growth.
Commenting on these developments Douglas said: “This is a unique opportunity for Willis to reap the benefits
of a truly integrated analytics strategy across the Group, positioning us even further ahead of our
peers and supporting our future growth and development. It is a great privilege to receive these
appointments at this time; they symbolise how our industry is changing and how its external perception
is also evolving.
I look forward to contributing to the work of the Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology
and exploring where the re/insurance industry’s wide expertise and experience can be brought to bear across
a range of sectors and challenges.”
Willis Group Holdings plc is a leading global insurance broker. Through its subsidiaries, Willis develops and delivers
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 17,000 employees serving clients in virtually every part of the
world. Additional information on Willis may be found at www.willis.com.
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