Executive Officers Of Willis Group Holdings plc

Joseph J. Plumeri

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Willis Group Holdings plc

Joe Plumeri is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Willis Group Holdings plc. Under Joe’s leadership, Willis has strengthened its position as one of the world’s leading insurance brokers through sector-leading organic growth and operating margins, strategic expansion, a dedication to transparency and passionate client service. Appointed in October 2000, when Willis was privately owned by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, he successfully returned the company to public ownership in 2001. In 2008, he spearheaded Willis’ $2.1 billion acquisition of Hilb Rogal & Hobbs (HRH), one of the largest insurance brokerage deals of the last decade.

During his tenure, Joe has cultivated a One Flag culture of teamwork centered on the Willis Client Advocate® model and Glocal service, delivering the breadth of Willis’ global expertise through more than 400 local offices in nearly 120 countries. Those offices include The Willis Building in London, opened in 2008, and Willis Tower in Chicago (formerly known as Sears Tower), which was renamed in 2009. Willis Tower is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

Leading an Industry

Joe has been a leader in the insurance industry in an era of unprecedented change. Over the last decade, he has pressed for greater transparency, client service and innovation throughout the industry. He has led the fight against contingent commissions, the controversial year-end bonuses insurance companies pay brokers for increasing premium volume and profitability – payments which can lead to conflicts of interest. In 2004, Willis published its ground-breaking Client Bill of Rights and in 2010 further crystallized its commitment to service in The Willis Cause, a concise articulation of what it means to be the world’s greatest insurance broker and risk adviser.

In recognition of these efforts, St. John’s University School of Risk Management named Joe 2006 Insurance Leader of the Year. In 2009 and 2010, he was named to Treasury & Risk magazine’s list of “100 Most Influential People in Finance.”

Long Career in Financial Services

Prior to joining Willis, Joe had a 32-year career at Citigroup and its predecessor companies. As CEO of Citibank North America, he led the integration of the consumer businesses at Citicorp and Travelers Group. He also served as Chairman and CEO of Travelers Primerica Financial Services, Vice Chairman of the Travelers Group, and President and Managing Partner of Shearson Lehman Brothers.

Many Philanthropic Endeavors

An active and committed community leader, Joe has been honored by numerous civic and philanthropic organizations, including the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation in 2009 for his impact on the reputation of the insurance industry, and by the Jackie Robinson Foundation in 2010 for his career achievements. He was named Grand Marshal for the 2011 New York City Columbus Day Parade. He also has been honored by the Sons of Italy Foundation, the Intrepid Foundation, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, among others.

Among his many philanthropic endeavors, Joe funded the construction of the Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place, the headquarters of the New Jersey Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The facility was named in honor of his parents with a $2 million gift – the largest single contribution from an individual donor in the history of the organization. In 2011, he received the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s inaugural Philanthropist of the Year Award. He also contributed more than $1 million to the College of St. Rose in Albany, New York, for the development of the school’s new sports complex, named in honor of his late son, Christian.

He currently serves on the boards of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, Mount Sinai Medical Center, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, the Jackie Robinson Foundation, Carnegie Hall and the Churchill Centre and Museum at the Cabinet War Rooms in London. A sports fan and lifelong athlete, Joe was Commissioner of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority from 1997 to 2004. He also is co-owner of two New Jersey minor league baseball teams – the Trenton Thunder, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, and the Lakewood BlueClaws, the Single-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Early Life

Born in Trenton, NJ, Joe received his Bachelor of Arts degree in history and education from The College of William and Mary and attended New York Law School. William & Mary awarded Joe an Honorary Doctor of Public Service in 2011. Upon receiving his Honorary Doctorate, Joe delivered a speech to the 2011 graduating class – “Go Play in Traffic (and follow the signs along the road)” – that was recognized as one of the best commencement addresses of the year.

Vic Krauze

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Willis North America Inc.

Vic was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Willis North America in 2010. He is responsible for leading the strategic direction of the organization, which today has more than 6,000 Associates serving clients through more than 150 local offices across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, London and Mumbai, India.

Previously, he w as President and Chief Operating Officer for Willis North America, a position in which he had served since 2009. In addition to managing the day-to-day operations of the business, he established more consistent business-wide processes and systems for managing growth at the regional level. He also played a key role in overseeing the successful integration of Willis North America and Hilb Rogal & Hobbs (HRH) following Willis’ acquisition of HRH in 2008.

Joining Willis in 1997 as a producer, Vic was soon promoted to President/CEO for Willis’ Minnesota operations. In 2003, he was named National Partner of the Great Lakes region, which became part of the larger Central Region in 2006. He then served as the Regional Executive Officer (National Partner) of Willis’ Central Region before being tapped to be COO.

Vic began his insurance career as a casualty marketing specialist with another major global broker, and his early roles included Producer and Account Executive, with overall responsibility for a large number of commercial accounts and production responsibilities for both Risk Management and middle-market clients.

He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in Applied Statistics. He received his MBA (Finance) from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota. Prior to his insurance career, Vic served 12 years in the U.S. Navy, where he rose to the rank of lieutenant.

He is a member of the Willis Group’s Executive Committee, the senior management team setting and executing Willis’ global strategy.

Adam G. Ciongoli

Group General Counsel, Willis Group

Adam is the Group General Counsel and Company Secretary of Willis Group, is responsible for legal functions, compliance, audit and risk management.

Prior to joining Willis in 2007, he served as a law clerk and counselor to Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr. during the Justice’s first term on the United States Supreme Court. In 1995 he clerked for then-Judge Alito on the Unites States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

From 2003 until 2006, Adam was Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Time Warner Europe, based in New York and London.

He served as Counselor to Attorney General John Ashcroft from 2001 until 2003. In that capacity, he was the principal legal adviser in the Office of the Attorney General, counseling on matters of constitutional law, significant litigation, legal policy issues, judicial nominations and a variety of strategic and management issues at the Department of Justice. Adam was named by Presidential Chief of Staff Andrew Card as the liaison for the Executive Branch with the Independent 9/11 Commission. While at the Department of Justice, he taught constitutional law as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center.

From 1999 to 2001 he served as Chief Counsel to the United States Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution, advising on issues of constitutional law, judicial nominations, tort reform, internet privacy and technology issues, criminal laws and other judiciary issues. He also organized the first ever Congressional hearing on the issue of racial profiling. From 1996 to 1999, Adam practiced law at the Washington, DC office of Kirkland & Ellis in its appellate and telecommunications group, working on a variety of product liability, class action and antitrust matters.

Adam graduated from Georgetown University Law Center, magna cum laude, and holds a BA in history from the University of Pennsylvania.

He is an unpaid adviser to New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly on national security matters. He taught a seminar on "Separation of Powers and the Law of National Security” at Columbia Law School in the spring semesters of 2007 through 2009.

Adam is a member of the Willis Group’s Executive Committee, the senior management team setting and executing Willis’ global strategy.

Allan C. A. Gribben

Group Director - Global Sales & Marketing

Allan Gribben was appointed an Executive Officer in February 2006. He joined the Willis Group in December 2002 and was Chief Executive Officer of Willis UK and Ireland until November 2006, when he took on the role of Chief Executive Officer of Willis International.

In August 2008, Allan was appointed as Global Sales & Marketing Director and is currently responsible for Willis' strategy for profitable growth.

Prior to joining the Willis Group, Allan had been with Aon since 1981, holding a number of senior executive positions. He has over 30 years experience in the insurance brokerage industry.

Peter Hearn

Chairman, Willis Re

Peter is responsible for leading Willis Re, with a focus on driving growth in the business and serving the reinsurance, capital markets and facultative needs of major insurance companies.

Before assuming his current role in 2011, he was Chief Executive Officer of Willis Re for five years, responsible for all Willis Re Property and Casualty operations. Earlier in his tenure at Willis Re, Peter served as President and prior to that was assigned overall responsibility for directing new business production efforts for global, national and regional Property and Casualty business.

In 1999, he was appointed as one of three global/national production leaders at Willis, following earlier appointments, including to Executive Vice President in 1997 and Eastern Region Manager in 1994, the same year he was hired as a Senior Vice President to open and manage the Willis Philadelphia office.

Prior to joining Willis, Peter was Vice President and Principal of Towers Perrin abroad, returning to the U.S. from London in 1981 when he joined Towers Perrin Reinsurance in Philadelphia. He first entered the reinsurance business in 1978 with the North American Reinsurance Division of Willis Faber & Dumas in London.

Peter holds a BA in History and Political Science from Lake Forest College.

He is a member of the Willis Group’s Executive Committee, the senior management team setting and executing Willis’ global strategy.

John Cavanagh

Chief Executive Officer, Willis RE

John was appointed CEO of Willis Re in 2012. Based in London, he is responsible for Willis Re’s worldwide operations. In his current role, John joins Peter Hearn, Chairman Willis Re, and Paddy Jago, President of Willis Re on the Willis Re Executive team.

John has been an Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Willis Re since 2009, and as a member of the Willis Re Global Production Board, was previously responsible for production and marketing of large specialty reinsurance accounts.

Prior to joining Willis, John was at international specialty reinsurance broker RK Carvill for 21 years. Earlier in his career he was Deputy Managing Director of Minet Re and a Director of the North American reinsurance division at Willis Faber and Dumas.

He is a member of the Willis Group’s Executive Committee, the senior management team setting and executing Willis’ global strategy.

Sarah J. Turvill

Chairman, Willis International

Sarah is responsible for the Group’s 44 subsidiary companies worldwide, its investments in associate companies operating in a further 35 countries and its correspondent partners in another 38 countries. She has been instrumental in building Willis’ European network as well as the Group’s operations in China, Latin America and India. In her current role, she enables Associates around the world to gain access to the Group’s resources in order to provide clients with the full range of Willis’ skills and expertise.

Prior to her current position, Sarah had been CEO of Willis International since 2001, moving to that position after having served as Chief Executive of Willis Continental Europe since 1995.

Sarah joined Willis in 1978 to establish and run a legal department and spent the next 14 years there dealing with general legal advice, managing the advice of external lawyers, acquisitions, start-ups/disposals and international operations. She became involved in the legal aspects and negotiations when Willis established its international network in 1991, becoming the administrative director of Continental Europe the following year.

Her undergraduate work was at Queen Anne’s School Caversham and she earned LLB Hons 2:1 from Exeter. She was elected as a Master of the Bench at Gray’s Inn in 2010.

Sarah is a member of the Willis Group’s Executive Committee, the senior management team setting and executing Willis’ global strategy.

Tim Wright

Chief Executive Officer, Willis International

Tim is the Chief Executive Officer of Willis International, the company's business unit serving retail clients globally outside of North America, the United Kingdom and Ireland. Willis International comprises 5,000 Associates in more than 100 offices in over 40 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Asia and Australasia.

Tim joined Willis in September 2008 as the Group Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Willis Executive Committee. He worked closely with Chairman and CEO Joe Plumeri, Group President Grahame Millwater and the leaders of each of the company's business units to set and execute strategy, drive growth and streamline operations.

Prior to joining Willis, Wright led the Financial Services practice of Bain & Company in London. Before joining Bain, he started and ran an insurance software company based in New York and London, and was previously UK Managing Partner of Booz Allen Hamilton as well as the leader of their global insurance practice. In the course of his career, Wright has lived or worked in many of the regions where Willis International operates.

Tim holds a law degree from Manchester University and a PhD in International Law from Cambridge University.

He is a member of the Willis Group’s Executive Committee, the senior management team setting and executing Willis’ global strategy.

Michael K. Neborak

Group Chief Financial Officer, Willis Group

Michael joined Willis Group in 2010 from MSCI Inc., a NYSE listed company, where he had been CFO since 2006.

Prior to joining MSCI, Michael worked for Citigroup and its predecessors for 23 years, holding a number of positions, including Chief Financial Officer for Operations & Technology and Chief Financial Officer for Alternative Investments, where he was responsible for managing the finance organizations, helping develop the strategy and business plans, and evaluating new business opportunities. During this period he also served as co-head of Citigroup's Corporate Strategy & Business Development Group. In this capacity, he was responsible for managing the firm's mergers and acquisitions activity and strategic initiatives, including the evaluation of proposed acquisitions and alliances as well as leadership of the transaction execution and acquisition approval processes.

From 1996 to 2000, Michael was a Managing Director in Salomon Smith Barney's investment banking practice for financial institutions.

Michael is a graduate of Lafayette College, where he majored in Economics. He also holds an MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the AICPA and New York State Society of CPAs.

He is a member of the Willis Group’s Executive Committee, the senior management team setting and executing Willis’ global strategy.

Martin J. Sullivan OBE

Deputy Chairman, Willis Group Holdings plc Chairman and CEO, Willis Global Solutions

Martin oversees the brokerage and risk management advisory services for Willis’ largest multinational and global accounts.

From 2005-2008, Martin served as President and Chief Executive Officer of American International Group, Inc. and was Vice Chairman and Co-Chief Operating Officer from 2002 until 2005. He first joined AIG in the U.K. in 1971 and in the intervening years served in a number of positions of increasing responsibility, culminating in his election as Senior Vice President, Foreign General Insurance in 1996 and Executive Vice President, Foreign General Insurance in 1998. In 1996, he was appointed Chief Operating Officer of AIU in New York and was named President in 1997.

He was the first President of British American Business and remains an Honorary Director of that organization and a member of its International Advisory Board. He is also a former President of the Geneva Association and former Chairman of the US-ASEAN Business Council. Martin currently serves as Chairman of the Business Advisory Committees of the St. George’s Society and the British Memorial Garden Trust and is on the Board of Trustees of the American Associates of the Royal Academy Trust. He is also on the Board of Trustees of the Inner City Scholarship Fund.

Martin is an Associate Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute, a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management, and a Member of the Chartered Management Institute. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2007 and an honorary doctorate from Hofstra University in 2008.

He is a member of the Willis Group’s Executive Committee, the senior management team setting and executing Willis’ global strategy.

Steve Hearn

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Willis Global

Steve was appointed Chairman and CEO of Willis Global in 2011. Willis Global includes Willis Re, Willis Global Specialties, Willis Faber & Dumas, Willis Global Analytics, Willis Global Solutions and Willis Global Placement.

In early 2011 Steve was appointed as CEO of Willis Re, where he was responsible for Willis Re’s worldwide operations. From 2009 until 2011 he led Faber & Dumas, Global Markets International and Willis Facultative.

Since joining Willis in 2008 as a result of the HRH acquisition by Willis Group, Steve has served as Chairman of Special Contingency Risk (SCR), the Willis specialty Kidnap & Ransom broker, Chairman of Willis Facultative and Chairman and CEO of Glencairn Limited, a London wholesale broker. He is a Director of Willis Limited.

Prior to joining HRH, Steve was at Glencairn Limited. Following the company’s management buy out from Glenrand MIB he was appointed CEO in 2003. His team created one of the most successful mid-tier London Market broking firms of that time. In 2005 he became Chairman & CEO of Glencairn Group Limited, comprising operations in London, Bermuda, Moscow, Brisbane and Johannesburg. He led the three-man team that sold the business to U.S. broking group HRH in 2007.

Earlier in his career Steve was President & CEO of Marsh Affinity Europe, responsible for their Affinity operations in 13 countries and a staff of 1,000. Prior to this he held a number of positions in client management, sales and P&L management at Marsh and Sedgwick Limited, including time in U.K. Commercial Lines Retail, Life & Pensions and, latterly, scheme and affinity business.

He is a member of both the Willis Group’s Operating and Executive Committees, the senior management team setting and executing Willis’ global strategy.

Executive Officers

  • Joseph J. Plumeri
  • John Cavanagh
  • Adam G. Ciongoli
  • Peter Hearn
  • Steve Hearn
  • Vic Krauze
  • Michael K. Neborak
  • Martin J. Sullivan
  • Sarah J. Turvill
  • Tim Wright

Willis In History

Did you know Willis was the broker for the Piper Alpha North Sea oil rig disaster which was the largest energy property claim to occur in the energy market?