Willis Group Holdings names CEO Tony Ursano, Willis Capital

Copyright: Business Wire
Source: Business Wire
Wordcount: 556

Business Editors / Insurance Writers

NEW YORK - (BUSINESS WIRE) - March 24 2009 - Willis Group Holdings (NYSE: WSH), the global insurance broker, today announced the appointment of Tony Ursano as Chief Executive Officer, Willis Capital Markets and advisory services, effective April 10. The new division develops Willis existing capacity and capital markets will focus on advice to insurance and reinsurance companies and customers on a wider range of capital markets and mergers and acquisitions. M. Ursano will report to Patrick Regan, the Group Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer and will also oversee the development of the company Willis, the company in M & A division.

Mr. Willis joined Ursano of Banc of America Securities, where he built and managed financial institutions, corporate and investment banking businesses for nine years before being appointed vice president in 2008. He was previously at Merrill Lynch, SG Warburg & Company, and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, and brings over 22 years of experience in investment banking with a specific focus on the insurance industry. Dr. Ursano was a strategic advisor over the years on more than 50 insurance industry transactions of mergers and acquisitions as well as numerous equity and debt capital for many more raisings profile of large enterprises. More recently, he played an advisory role Willis on $ 2.1 billion acquisition of Hilb Rogal & Hobbs.

"This is an opportune time to expand our capacity of capital markets," said Joseph J. Plumeri, Chairman and CEO, Willis Group Holdings, "Insurance is just another form of capital, and the unstable economic environment where traditional financial institutions such as banks, are struggling and have little capital, we can bridge the gap by offering high quality, objective advice that includes a range of solutions. "


"Tony is the ideal person to lead this effort for us," said Regan. "His years at global and investment banking M & A experience, coupled with the fact that he worked very closely with us during the Willis HRH transaction, will help us to provide value added advice quickly to our insurance partners and customers. "

M. Ursano lead a team of professionals who work closely with Willis brokers around the world to help customers and carriers of their capital and M & A needs. "I am very pleased to have the opportunity to continue to build the highest quality, capital markets and M & A advisory businesses of Willis, with a focus on independent advice and long-term objectives of relations and world-class customer focus and service, "says Ursano. "Willis has edge analysis and modeling capabilities of the risk and, of course, an excellent risk management expertise. We can do these things to wear with sound strategic advice to help Willis' global customers manage their capital and meet the opportunities and challenges in the current economic environment. "

Willis Group Holdings Limited is a leading global insurance broker, developing and delivering professional insurance, reinsurance, risk management, financial and human resources consulting and actuarial services to companies , public entities and institutions around the world. Willis has more than 400 offices in nearly 120 countries, with a team of approximately 20,000 associates serving customers in some 190 countries. Additional information on Willis May be found at www.willis.com.



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