Global Specialties are the Willis Group's areas of specialist expertise: business units that have market-leading industry positions, offering differentiated, winning products to our clients and prospects, on a global basis.
This group creates new business opportunities in by providing specialist expertise.
We’re committed to:
- Differentiating the Willis network by offering access to our industry-leading skills and products
- Partnering with clients to create winning business solutions worldwide, within our specialist business areas
- Helping and supporting clients deliver these to their clients and prospects, showing the unique strength of our One Flag culture.
Aerospace
Willis Aerospace is a leading broker to the airline, aerospace and general or corporate aviation industry. Key industry segments are Airlines, Aerospace, General Aviation and Space. Our client list includes
- 300+ airlines
- 200 airport and related service companies
- 150 aerospace manufacturing industry companies
- 40 space organisations
Inspace
Satellite insurance and risk management is a highly specialised business. Only three firms in the world offer the service. In the field, Willis Inspace is a significant force.
Risk management is a crucial component of any satellite project and is likely to be the third-highest cost – only the launch vehicle and the satellite itself cost more. Willis Inspace is far more than a mere "placer" of insurance.
Our key unique selling propositions are our capacity for ideas and our ability to make the marginal difference in rates in a business where a small percentage saving can mean hundreds of thousands of dollars to a client. We dare to be different. We do not offer "shelf" products as a default. An outstanding client retention rate and the fastest-growing portfolio in the sector are testaments to the success of these strategies.
Construction
Global Construction Services (GCS) is a London-based business unit that has grown enormously over the past few years in terms of both resource and revenue.
GCS handles every conceivable type of construction project or activity ranging from housing projects to high-rise buildings; road rehabilitation projects to underground metro systems and electrical sub stations to nuclear power stations. We handle both annually renewable “open covers” and single-project programmes. We also handle associated insurances such as construction plant and equipment, inherent defects, among others.
Energy
Willis Energy handles all aspects of hazard risk management--risk evaluation, mitigation and transfer –for the oil, gas, petrochemical and fertiliser industries (i.e. those parts of the energy industry that are hydrocarbon based). We don’t handle power, utilities, renewable energy or mining (see GMI) or onshore construction projects.
Our global business unit employs 130 professionals worldwide. Our core offices are London, Houston, New York and Calgary, but we also have staff in Bermuda, Singapore and Perth.
Financial Solutions
Financial Solutions specialises in complex financial risks and advisory work and operates on a global basis.
To deliver our services to our clients most effectively, we are divided into six business segments:
- Emerging Markets
- Trade Credit
- Aviation Finance and Leasing
- Project Risk Advisory
- Mortgage and Consumer Finance
- Non-Traditional Financial Risks
We have more than 80 Associates based in London, New York, Los Angeles, Singapore, Sao Paolo and Mumbai.
FINEX Global
As part of Willis Global Specialties, FINEX Global specialises in executive and professional risks and operates on a global basis.
In order to service our clients effectively, FINEX Global is structured into:
- Specialty Products
- Industry Practices
FINEX Global acts as a knowledge base for Willis worldwide, with teams of experts in specialist classes of insurance. Sector-specific knowledge and understanding is the key to delivering innovative solutions and industry leading insurance programmes. With a dominant market share in many sectors, FINEX Global is a world leader in insurance broking.
We have nearly 250 Associates based in London, Manchester, Ipswich, Miami and Mumbai.
Marine – Ship Owners
The Ship Owners team within Willis Marine look after the insurance requirements of clients in all sectors of the maritime industry:
- Ship owners
- Ship builders
- Third-party ship managers
- Charterers
- Port and terminal operators
- Shipyards
Our clients range from the largest cruise lines to the smallest charter yacht fleets. Involved with international trade, their operations are, by definition, global.
In terms of our competition in this field, we surpass all others for numbers of professionals (500 worldwide), revenue, quantum of premium placed into the market and number of claims handled (7,500 per year).
Through our global network of marine professionals, we provide creative insurance solutions, resource and skills, encompassing the initial builders’ risk exposures within the shipyard, the operational risks throughout the life of the vessel, the responsibilities of the charterer of the vessel and also the liabilities of the terminal operators.
Services include the design of programmes (in line with the client’s retention and risk transfer strategy) marketing, technical support, daily servicing of the insurance programme and providing an unrivalled claims advocacy service through a dedicated client team.
Marine – International Trade & Logistics (ITL)
ITL is the market leader in the cargo insurance field. We work with clients of every size, and in every sector where there is a potential cargo-related exposure, helping them to protect their non-fixed assets. We provide creative insurance solutions, resource and skills, which allows them to manage their international exposures – while remaining capital-efficient.
Our client base is truly global, encompassing the six continents of Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America. We have representation in all major markets, with more than 100 Willis offices worldwide. Our committed team has more than 100 trade and logistics specialists with dedicated resources in the UK and North America.