Willis Named Broker of the Year at the Asia Insurance Awards

LONDON--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Willis Group Holdings plc (NYSE: WSH), the global insurance broker, was named aBroker of the Yeara at the Asia Insurance Industry Awards in Singapore for being in the avanguard of providing risk management solutions to help Asian clients mitigate new exposuresa.

"This award is an affirmation of our progress in Asia over the past several years and recognises the dedication and quality service demonstrated by our people across the region who help our clients protect their business against traditional and emerging risk every day."

This yearas awards were overseen by a distinguished panel of 29 judges, comprising leaders and regulators from across the industry. Entrants into the aBroker of the Yeara category, which Willis won, were judged on their knowledge and understanding of the market, responsiveness to clientsa needs, service innovation, industry leadership, professionalism and financial track record in Asia.

The award was in recognition of the great strides Willis is making in the region where it has over 800 employees in 40 offices across 12 countries and strong growth. With 20 offices in China, Willis has the largest footprint of all the global brokers there, and in 2010 demonstrated its continued commitment to Asia by increasing its equity stake in its Chinese operation from 51 percent to 90 percent.

The award specifically recognised several achievements by Willis in Asia over the past year including:

Taking the lead in providing risk management solutions to the burgeoning Asia Pacific gaming market which is expected to grow by 23.6 percent annually.
Establishing a Financial & Executive Risk team in Hong Kong to advise companies expanding in Asia, and internationally via IPOs on foreign stock exchanges, on Professional Indemnity, Errors & Omissions, Directors & Officers and Financial Institutions liability insurance against a backdrop of increasing regulatory and operational risks.
Maintaining business continuity for clients in Japan when the Tohoku earthquake struck the country in March this year.
Funding research at six Asian universities on catastrophic man-made and natural perils facing the region via The Willis Research Network, a collaborative effort between public science and the insurance industry.
Responding to the threat of piracy facing Asian shipping companies through the creation of a unique anti-piracy insurance solution VesselShield.
Recruiting 15 candidates and offering several internships in China as part of a drive to position insurance broking as an attractive career path for Asian students.

Accepting the award at the Shangri-La Hotel last Monday night, Roger Wilkinson, Chairman & CEO, Willis Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, said, aThis award is an affirmation of our progress in Asia over the past several years and recognises the dedication and quality service demonstrated by our people across the region who help our clients protect their business against traditional and emerging risk every day.

aAs Asian corporations continue on their rapid upward growth trajectory both domestically and internationally, we will be at their sides understanding their needs; developing client solutions with the best markets, prices and terms; relentlessly delivering quality service; and getting their claims paid quicklyaall with integrity. This is the Willis Cause.a

Launched jointly in 1996 by Asia Insurance Review and The Review to recognise and salute excellence in the insurance industry, the Asia Insurance Industry Awards are now in their 15^th year.

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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Willis Named Broker of the Year at the Asia Insurance Awards