Willis Re International & Specialty Extends Analytics Lead with Senior Hires and Appointments

Willis Re, a leading reinsurance advisor and part of Willis Group Holdings (NYSE: WSH), the global insurance broker, announced that it has continued the expansion of its analytics capability with three new senior London-based hires and several appointments.

David Simmons joins from Aon Benfield to become Managing Director, International Enterprise Risk Management. Simmons has more than 25 years of industry analytics experience with Grieg Fester, Benfield and Aon Benfield. He will be responsible for leading Willis Re's services, software and solutions for Solvency II related activities.

Linley Ah-Chung has been appointed Managing Director, Analytics, Willis Re Specialty. Formerly Head of Analytics, Specialty at Aon Benfield, Ah-Chung has 20 years of industry experience in risk-based analytics, and will lead the development and delivery of analytics capabilities to Willis Re’s marine, aviation and retrocessional clients.

Ah-Chung and Simmons follow the appointment of Matthew Eagle as Executive Director of Willis Re, who has been charged with leading the delivery of Analytics services in Continental Europe. Eagle brings 16 years of experience in catastrophe and financial modelling, most recently with Aon Benfield.

Meanwhile, Willis Research Network (WRN) has appointed insurance veteran Gero Michel as Managing Director. Michel joins from Endurance Specialty in Bermuda, where he was Head of International Property Catastrophe Underwriting and Catastrophe Analytics. He brings more than 25 years of hazard, risk and catastrophe modelling experience, having began his career as a geo scientist and lecturer in Germany. He holds a PhD in geo-science and a business degree from Harvard Business School.

Michel will drive the integration of the WRN’s scientific research into reinsurance market models and applications. He will be supported by the Network’s Research Director, Matthew Foote, and Tricia Holly Davis, who joins as WRN Communications Director from freelance roles with the Sunday Times, The Economist and Financial Times.

Within Willis Re Analytics, Ian Cook, Chief Actuary International & Specialty has been appointed Managing Director. Andrew Mitchell, who leads International and Specialty Catastrophe Modelling, has also been appointed Managing Director.

Commenting on these developments Rowan Douglas, CEO Global Analytics Willis Re and Chairman of the WRN, said: "These appointments, coupled with significant developments in the US, mark the latest chapter in the continued development of Willis Re's unique analytics capabilities. We are delighted that such respected market figures have all chosen Willis Re as the best place to provide state of the art analytics."

David Simmons, Managing Director, Analytics, said: "The formula for success in analytics is not just about having good people, excellent tools and deep academic links; it is also about how analytics are used to meet the particular needs of each individual client. This formula is embedded in the culture of Willis Re, and ensures that we deliver the most appropriate analytics to guarantee the best solutions for our clients.”

Matthew Eagle, Executive Director, Willis Re, said: "Willis Re has developed into a leading player in the analytics and scientific arenas. What has really impressed me is the manner in which our Client Advocates understand and integrate the analytics thinking into their advice and service."

James Vickers, Chairman, Willis Re International & Specialty, added: "We are in a fiercely competitive industry, where top talent is the critical ingredient to future competitive advantage and growth. Great people make great companies, and the fact that Willis Re is attracting some of our industry’s most skilled and experienced leaders, is a true testament to our development and success.”

About Willis Re

One of the world's leading reinsurance brokers, Willis Re is known for its world-class, Analytics capabilities, which it combines with its Capital Markets and Reinsurance expertise in a seamless, integrated offering that helps clients increase the value of their businesses. Willis Re serves the risk management and risk transfer needs of a diverse, global client base that includes all of the world's top insurance and reinsurance carriers as well as national catastrophe schemes in many countries around the world. The broker's global team of experts offers services and advice that help clients make better reinsurance decisions, access worldwide capital markets and negotiate optimum terms. For more information, visit www.WillisRe.com.

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.