Willis

London, UK, November 23, 2011 – At the inaugural Willis Commercial Network Live conference yesterday, the Willis Networks team announced that it has been awarded the prestigious “Chartered Insurance Brokers” title by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). Part of Willis Group Holdings (NYSE: WSH), the global insurance broker, the Willis Networks team manages Willis Networks, comprising the Willis Commercial Network and Willis N², and is the first broker network team in the UK to achieve this status.

Chartered status is an exclusive title only awarded to firms that meet rigorous criteria in relation to professionalism and capability. To achieve this status the Willis Networks team was able to demonstrate to the CII that it works in an ethical manner and places the clients’ interests at the heart of the advice it gives.

Sara Fardon, Managing Director, Willis Networks said, “This demonstration of our professionalism is a key part of our Network strategy. Our Network members are renowned for their quality and so it’s essential that the Willis team can demonstrate our own commitment to quality and professionalism.”

To date, less than 100 firms have achieved Chartered status, but of these over 10 percent of all chartered UK brokers are Willis Network members. “Increasingly insurers and clients will differentiate and chose those brokers that can display the highest standards. Setting ourselves apart from the competition is exceptionally important. Throughout 2012, we will be working with our members to increase the number of brokers who achieve chartered status,” said Fardon.

Congratulating the team, Dan Wilkinson, CEO, Willis UK & Ireland, said, “This is a great achievement for Sara and her team and shows that Willis Networks not only talks the talk, but walks the walk too! We are creating a high-performing network run by professionals for professionals and are delighted that the CII has recognised this by awarding us Chartered status.”

Willis Commercial Network Live, held in The Willis Building, London, attracted over 150 independent brokers who came to hear plans for a redefinition of the Network’s strategy and to meet with the Willis Networks team to discuss ways that Willis can help them grow and develop their businesses.

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.