Willis Strengthens Leadership For Fast-Growing Asia, Australasia, Middle East And Africa Operations

In recognition of the size, growth and strategic importance of its Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa operations to Willis Group Holdings (NYSE: WSH), Willis International, the international retail unit of the global insurance broker, today announced the creation of three regional business units under new and expanded leadership.

Willis Asia will now be led by Adam Garrard as CEO, while Roger Wilkinson has been appointed as Chairman, Willis Australasia. Willis’ Middle East and Africa business will continue to be led by Regional CEO Scott Pickering who is also CEO, Willis South Africa. Wilkinson, Garrard and Pickering will all report to Tim Wright, CEO, Willis International.

Australasia

Roger Wilkinson, current Chairman & CEO, Willis Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, will relocate from Hong Kong to Sydney for his new role as Chairman, Willis Australasia. He will join Willis Australasia CEO Pieter Lindhout on October 1.

New Zealander Wilkinson joined Willis in 2005 after a 32-year career at Marsh where he had a number of senior management roles in the Asia Pacific. At Willis, he led the broker’s Asia operations for five years before being appointed CEO of the Asia Pacific unit. In recognition of Roger and his team’s achievements, Willis Asia was named "Broker of the Year" at the Asia Insurance Industry Awards in 2011. In his new role, he will work with Lindhout to oversee 350 Associates in nine offices across Australasia.

Wright said: “Roger has been instrumental in tripling the size of our Asia business over the past seven years. His appointment to Willis Australasia underscores the importance of the region to our business.”

Asia

Adam Garrard, currently CEO of Willis Continental Europe, will relocate from London to Singapore to take up his new role on September 1. In Asia, he will oversee over 1,000 Associates in 42 offices across 11 countries. Willis’ European businesses will report directly to Wright until a replacement is found.

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