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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--In response to increasing opportunities in South Africa and throughout the African continent, Willis Group Holdings (NYSE: WSH), the global insurance broker, today announced the appointment of Scott Pickering, President, Willis Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, as CEO of Willis South Africa.

"With its vast natural resources and a commitment to substantially increase renewable energy usage by 2013, South Africa is attracting investment in mega projects that require the kind of global risk management capabilities that Willis offers, combined with our strong experience in the local market."

Pickering, who will remain President of the wider region, will relocate to Johannesburg to start his new role in January 2012. Pickering joined Willis two years ago, bringing with him extensive experience in international business development and emerging markets. In 2006, while with ACE, he successfully re-established that insureras presence in South Africa as CEO of ACEas South African operations. Pickering also worked in Dubai as Regional CEO for the Asian and Middle Eastern operations of Royal & Sun Alliance.

In addition to Pickeringas appointment, Ryck Genis, current CEO of Willis South Africa, has been appointed as leader of the brokeras large accounts business in South Africa. This combination will allow Genis to focus on driving business opportunities stemming from large multinational and domestic corporations.

In December 2010, South Africa was invited to join Brazil, Russia, India and China in an association now called aBRICSa a" five nations who are recognised for their significant position as growth engines in the global economy. South Africa, together with its BRICS counterparts, is expected to represent approximately 22 percent of the global GDP in 2015.

Commenting on Willisa large accounts focus in South Africa, Tim Wright, CEO, Willis International, said, aWith its vast natural resources and a commitment to substantially increase renewable energy usage by 2013, South Africa is attracting investment in mega projects that require the kind of global risk management capabilities that Willis offers, combined with our strong experience in the local market.a

Wright added: aScott Pickering and Ryck Genis have worked closely together for the past 18 months, along with Willis South Africa Chairman Peter Moyo, to develop our local business and to use that as a hub for doing business throughout Africa. While Ryck works to grow our large accounts proposition in South Africa, Scott will draw on his knowledge of the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa markets to capitalise on increased commercial activity between these rapidly growing markets and South Africa.a

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 ].