Willis Appoints David Martin as Chairman and CEO of UK Retail Business
New senior hire from Zurich Insurance Group completes the restructure of Willis International leadership team under International
CEO Tim Wright
London, UK, January 14, 2013 – Willis Group Holdings (NYSE:WSH), the global insurance broker, announced today the
appointment of David Martin as Chairman and CEO of its UK retail business, effective 21January, subject
to FSA approval. The appointment of Martin to the senior post completes the restructure of Willis
International’s leadership under International CEO Tim Wright.
Martin joins Willis UK from Zurich Insurance Group, where he led global sales and distribution for Zurich’s
$33 billion general insurance business. Martin’s roles prior to joining Zurich include 16 years with AON,
where he was Managing Director of UK Corporate, and positions at Bank of America and Cigna
(now ACE).
At Willis, Martin will report to Tim Wright and lead a business comprising 1,100 Associates in 22
offices across the UK. Martin will also have a secondary reporting line to Steve Hearn, Deputy
CEO, Willis Group and CEO Willis Limited (the UK regulated entity). Tim Wright and Steve Hearn
have directed Martin, as he comes on-board, to drive greater connectivity between Willis UK Retail and
Willis Global, the specialist business arm of the Willis Group, both of which are headquartered in
London.
Commenting on Martin’s appointment, Wright said, “David’s extensive knowledge of commercial insurance markets in the UK and
his wider global experience makes him the ideal candidate to accelerate future sales growth within our
UK retail business. We recognize that there is a significant opportunity to drive synergies between our
UK retail and global specialty business, and David will have a special focus on matching UK
client needs with Willis’ world-class specialty expertise.”
Martin said, “I am delighted to become part of the Willis team building on the successes of
recent years. I look forward to working with old and new friends, and helping them succeed
in a very competitive marketplace.”
Willis International comprises the Group’s retail businesses outside North America, consisting of over 6,000 Associates in more
than 100 offices in over 42 countries, generating revenues of over $1 billion in Latin America,
Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia and Australasia.
About Willis
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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