Proxy Statement (Form DEF 14A)
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
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2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Notice of Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
Date and Time: |
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Location: |
Carton House, Carton Demesne, |
We are pleased to invite you to join
Items of business:
Who can vote:
How to vote:
Attending the meeting:
Date of mailing:
Your vote is important. We urge you to participate in deciding the items on the agenda and to read this Proxy Statement and accompanying materials for additional information concerning the matters to be considered at this meeting. Shareholders present at the meeting will have an opportunity to ask questions regarding the Irish Statutory Accounts and related reports to the representatives of our independent auditors. The only matters that will be addressed at the AGM will be the items of business on the agenda included in this Proxy Statement.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
General Counsel,
Company Secretary
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Company's AGM to be held on
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Table of Contents
i |
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Proposal No. 1: |
1 |
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16 |
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Proposal No. 2: |
31 |
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Proposal No. 3: |
Advisory (Non-binding) Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation |
34 |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis |
35 |
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68 |
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Human Capital and Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation |
68 |
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69 |
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Proposal No. 4: |
105 |
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Proposal No. 5: |
Grant the Board Authority to Opt Out of Statutory Pre-emption Rights under |
106 |
107 |
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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management |
107 |
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109 |
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109 |
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113 |
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114 |
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
ProxyStatement Highlights
VOTING MATTERS
Proposal |
Page number |
Board vote recommendation |
Vote Requirement |
Proposal No.1: Elect Directors To elect the nine persons named in this Proxy Statement to serve as directors for a one-year term until the next AGM |
1 |
FOR |
Majority of votes cast |
Proposal No. 2: Ratify the Appointment of the Independent Auditors in an Advisory (Non-binding) Vote and Fix the Independent Auditors' Remuneration in a Binding Vote To ratify, on a non-binding advisory basis, the selection of (i) |
31 |
FOR |
Majority of votes cast |
Proposal No. 3: Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation in an Advisory (Non-binding) Vote To approve, in an advisory (non-binding) vote, the compensation of the Company's named executive officers |
34 |
FOR |
Majority of votes cast |
Proposal No. 4: Grant the Board Authority to Issue Shares under To grant the Board authority to issue up to approximately 20% of the Company's issued ordinary share capital as of |
105 |
FOR |
Majority of votes cast |
Proposal No. 5: Grant the Board Authority to Opt Out of Statutory Pre-emption Rights under To grant the Board authority to issue, free of pre-emptive rights, up to 20% of the Company's issued ordinary share capital as of |
106 |
FOR |
75% of votes cast |
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Key Governance Practices and Policies
Board Composition |
Since the beginning of 2022, nine new directors, including a new CEO and eight new independent directors, joined the Board. Our Board composition reflects a mix of gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, backgrounds, experiences and skill sets.
The figures in the above pie charts relate to our director nominees and are rounded to the nearest whole number.
Recent Corporate Governance Developments - Board Committee Structure and Board Chair Succession |
The Board continually reviews and adapts its oversight structure to align with the critical needs of the business. In 2022, the Board established four Board Committees, including an
The Board maintained the Human Capital and
Additionally, the Board has elected
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2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Corporate Governance Highlights |
✓ |
Focus on multi-year Board succession and refreshment to help ensure that the Board's composition remains aligned with the evolving needs of the business, including through robust annual Board evaluation process |
✓ |
Board Committee and Chair refreshment help ensure that fresh viewpoints and perspectives are regularly considered |
✓ |
Regular review of Board Committee structure, responsibilities and focus |
✓ |
Regular review of Board composition, including tenure in accordance with the director tenure policy |
✓ |
Successful completion of theOperational Transformation Committee, which was scheduled under its charter to terminate at the end of |
✓ |
The creation of the |
✓ |
Active Board participation in management succession and oversight |
✓ |
Onboarding and regular continuing director education |
✓ |
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✓ |
Insider trading policies and procedures applicable to directors, officers and WTW associates as well as a policy applicable to the Company's repurchase of WTW securities |
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Board Committee Overview |
The Board Committees assist the Board in overseeing, among other things, the following:
Audit Committee •
integrity of the Company's financial statements
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independent auditors and the internal audit function
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compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and internal accounting controls and procedures
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significant legal matters and related persons transactions
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•
Board Committee purpose, structure and operations
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director selection process, the development of director qualification standards and the identification of director nominees
•
evaluation of director time commitments, including with respect to other board leadership positions
•
sustainability initiatives, as discussed more below (with the relevant Board Committees managing their specific sustainability responsibilities pursuant to their respective charters), including the Company's environmental sustainability program and charitable contributions
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Human Capital and •
compensation philosophy and the development and implementation of compensation programs in accordance with the philosophy
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executive officer compensation, annual corporate goals and objectives relevant to their compensation, and their performance in light of those goals
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compensation policies as well as incentive compensation and equity-based plans for the executive officers
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implementation of the Company's human capital and talent strategy
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•
overall Company risk management, including enterprise risk management framework, policies and practices used to identify, assess and manage key risks facing the Company and its subsidiaries
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management of risks arising out of the Company's operations that support the Company's businesses
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management initiatives to drive operational efficiencies and improvement
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management's approach to risk identification, risk tolerance and risk management with respect to the Company's key operational risks, including without limitation, cybersecurity, technology, information security, privacy and artificial intelligence risk, among others
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Refer to the section entitled "Corporate Governance - Willis Towers Watson Board Committees" for more information on the Board Committees' responsibilities.
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2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Sustainability |
Commitment:Our clients, colleagues and other stakeholders expect us to conduct our business with integrity and in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. We take these expectations seriously and, consistent with what we believe enhances long-term value, have embraced principles that are aligned with our business priorities, are consistent with our commitment to ethical and sustainable practices and demonstrate our respect for those communities in which we operate across the globe.
Management Oversight:The Company has a cross-functional management committee to coordinate and facilitate communication of the Company's sustainability initiatives applicable to its own operations. "Sustainability" is how we refer to our environmental, social and governance ("ESG") strategy that guides our internal operations.
Board Oversight:The Board takes an approach that the most appropriate Committee maintains oversight over a particular issue rather than concentrating all sustainability initiatives into any one Committee. The Committees report to the Board on sustainability matters as appropriate.
To leamore about our sustainability principles, goals and related statements, and to review our Sustainability Report (which includes EEO-1 data) and SASB appendix and our TCFD disclosure, visit:www.wtwco.com/en-us/about-us/sustainability-report. The information on, or accessible through, our website and our other reports is not part of or incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement and is current only as of the date it was first published.
Shareholder Outreach |
We conduct a semi-annual shareholder outreach program whereby we reach out to shareholders holding over 50% of our outstanding shares. Over the past several years, we have incorporated feedback from our shareholders into certain executive compensation, governance and other sustainability programs.
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Our Business
WTW |
Segment Overview |
Health, Wealth & Career ("HWC")
World-class portfolio of leading businesses providing advisory and consulting services within human capital, employee benefits and retirement verticals
Healthprovides advice, broking, solutions and software for employee benefit plans, HR organizations and management teams of our clients |
Wealthprovides advice and management for retirement and investment asset owners using a sophisticated framework for managing risk |
Careerprovides compensation advisory services, employee experience software and platforms, and other career-related consulting services to our clients |
Benefits Delivery & Outsourcingprovides medical exchange and outsourcing services to active employees and retirees across the group and individual markets as well as pension outsourcing |
Risk & Broking ("R&B")
Risk advisory and solutions business delivering innovative, integrated solutions tailored to client needs and underpinned by cutting edge data and analytics, technology and experienced risk thinkers
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Key Executive Compensation Practices and Policies
2024 Named Executive Officers ("NEOs") |
•
Our2024 NEOsare
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Pay for Performance: Short-Term Incentive ("STI") and Long-Term Incentive Program ("LTIP") Awards |
•
Significant portion of NEO compensation is variable and at-risk, including STI awards (cash) and LTIP awards (equity).
•
Incentive plans include a range of metricsto reward NEOs for exceptional performance and contributions at the enterprise, business and individual levels, including Adjusted Net Revenue, Adjusted Operating Margin, Free Cash Flow Margin, 3-Year Average Annual Adjusted Net Revenue Growth, 3-Year Average Annual Adjusted Operating Margin Improvement and Relative TSR.
•
Based on our financial performance, achievements against our strategic priorities and other factors taken into consideration for 2024,NEO 2024 STI awardswere earned at 111.8% to 119.5% of target and2022 LTIP performance-based restricted share units ("PSUs"), with a performance period that concluded at the end of 2024, were earned at 149.4% of target.
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Shareholder Aligned Executive Compensation Program |
•
LTIP awardsare madein the form of PSUs and time-based restricted share units ("RSUs"), weighted at 75% and 25%, respectively, and collectively account for the largest portion of the CEO's target total direct compensation and a significant portion of the other NEOs' target total direct compensation.
•
2024 PSU performance metricsalign a significant portion of NEO compensation with WTW's strategic priorities and commitment to driving shareholder value.
•
NEO STI awardsare based on enterprise and segment financial performance, as well as strategic objectives, to support and drive successful execution of the Company's strategy.
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Share ownership policy applicable to executive officers;minimum guideline of 6x base salary for CEO and 3x base salary for all other executive officers.
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Compensation Recoupment |
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Compensation recoupment policy applicable to NEOs' cash and equity incentive awardsin the event of financial restatement or detrimental conduct.
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Executive Severance Plans |
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Executive severance plansprovide for the payment of certain severance benefits to NEOs in the event of: (i) involuntary termination outside of a change in control period and (ii) involuntary termination or good reason resignation during a change in control period.
•
Severance amountsare generally competitive with market practices and determined as a multiple of each NEO's base salary and STI target, and may also include a pro-rata portion of the STI award payable for the year of termination and the cost of continued medical coverage for a period following termination.
•
NEOs do not receive any form of tax gross-ups, significant perquisites or automatic paymentsin connection with a change in control of the Company.
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Say-on-Pay |
•
We hold anannual Say-on-Pay advisory voteon the compensation of our NEOs.
•
Shareholder support of our executive compensation programwith a Say-on-Pay approval rate of approximately 90% at the 2024 AGM.
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2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 1: Elect Directors
Our Board is responsible for overseeing our global business in a manner consistent with the respective fiduciary duties of each member of the Board. This oversight requires highly skilled individuals with various qualities, attributes and professional experience.
As discussed further below, the Governance Committee believes that the slate of director nominees as a whole reflects the collective knowledge, integrity, reputation and leadership abilities, and the diversity of skills and experience and attributes, that are appropriate for the Company's governance. At the Governance Committee's recommendation, the Board has nominated the nominees listed in this Proposal No. 1 to serve until the next AGM unless they are removed or resign before that meeting.
The Board unanimously recommends a vote "FOR" the election of each of the directors.
Required Vote
Our directors are elected by way of separate resolutions, each of which requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by shareholders at the 2025 AGM, and, upon their elections, will hold office until the next AGM unless they are removed or resign before that meeting. Any nominee for director who does not receive a majority of the votes cast is not elected to the Board.
Multi-Year Board Succession and Refreshment
Starting in 2021, the composition and structure of the Board substantially changed as the result of the Board's strategic refreshment process. As part of this multi-year succession planning program, including input from a third-party consulting firm, the Board:
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 1: Elect Directors(continued)
This refreshment strategy balanced the importance of adding new directors to the Board while also facilitating onboarding by providing incoming directors with the opportunity to work with more tenured directors before the latter retire from the Board. The Board believes the right balance of skills, background and experience helps the Company drive its strategy forward and accounted for this in its succession strategy. The directors have a wide range of skills, including expertise in insurance, finance, transformation and technology. The directors' skills, background and experience are detailed further below.
Board Diversity
We believe maintaining diversity on our Board as provided in our Corporate Governance Guidelines is essential to the Board's ability to effectively oversee our global business. Both the Board and the Governance Committee believe that Board diversity is important to ensure a balanced Board with a rounded perspective. Diversity is broadly interpreted by the Board to include viewpoints, background, attributes, experience, industry knowledge and geography. In undertaking its multi-year Board succession and refreshment process, the Governance Committee considered a wide slate of potential candidates. Our Board composition reflects a mix of gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, backgrounds, experiences and skill sets, including as follows:
Director Qualifications
When recommending an individual for new or continued membership on the Board, the Governance Committee considers each nominee's individual qualifications in light of the size of the Board (which it considers appropriate), the overall mix of attributes represented on the Board, and the Company's current and future needs.In its assessment of each nominee, the Governance Committee considers, among other things, the person's integrity, experience, reputation, judgment, independence, maturity, skills and personality, commitment and, for current directors, tenure and performance on the Board and its Committees.
Additionally, the Governance Committee:
2
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 1: Elect Directors(continued)
In assessing whether directors and director nominees have sufficient time to devote to Board duties and responsibilities, the Governance Committee considers, among other things, the number of other public company boards of directors on which a director serves as well as other commitments. The Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines restrict the number of public company boards on which our directors may serve. None of the Company's directors are considered "overboarded" under the Guidelines. The Board believes that each director has demonstrated the ability to devote sufficient time and attention to Board and Committee duties, and otherwise fulfill the responsibilities required of directors.
The Board evaluates each director nominee and each director's continued service on the Board, based on his or her own merits, knowledge, experience and attributes. For this reason, the Board has not adopted a mandatory retirement age as it believes that doing so might hinder the selection or continued service of a director who would serve as an asset to the Board. However, in consideration of the Board's recent refreshment process and the current tenures of our directors, the Governance Committee reviewed the Board's tenure policies and recommended to the Board, and the Board approved, a twelve-year tenure limit for service on the Company's Board, unless the Board otherwise determines, at the recommendation of the Governance Committee, that a longer tenure for such director is in the best interest of the Company.
The Governance Committee has utilized a director skills matrix similar to the one below in its consideration of Board refreshment and director nominations. The matrix summarizes some of the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each individual director nominee. This summary is not intended to be an exhaustive list of each of our director nominee's skills or contributions to the Board. Further information on each director nominee, including some of their specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills are below under "Director Biographical Information."
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 1: Elect Directors(continued)
Dame |
Fumbi Chima |
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Business & Industry |
Human Capital and/or Benefits Advisory |
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Insurance and Reinsurance |
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Investment Advisory and Management |
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Financial |
Background and experience in banking, financial services, investing, and accounting. |
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M&A and Capital Markets |
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Information Technology and Cybersecurity |
Expertise in information systems and security and/or significant experience overseeing risks related to cybersecurity. |
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International Business(1) |
Background living or working in, or management responsibility for a business or function in key geographic areas outside the |
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Management/ Executive Leadership |
Background in roles such as CEO, Senior Executive of a large company and/or global company with a significant transformation program. |
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Public Board |
Previous directorships on other public company boards and board committees. |
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Technology Oversight |
Experience related to overseeing risks related to technology and technology services. |
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Age |
<>60 |
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Citizenship |
European/ |
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Other Non-US Citizenship |
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US Citizenship |
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2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 1: Elect Directors(continued)
Board Evaluation Process
The Governance Committee considers the Board's size, composition and effectiveness throughout the year. This includes a constructive annual evaluation process, which the Board recognizes is an essential component of good corporate governance and Board effectiveness.
The Governance Committee oversees the process and format of the evaluations of the Board and its Committees. As the process is dynamic, the format may change from year-to-year at the discretion of the Governance Committee to ensure that honest and actionable feedback is solicited and obtained from the directors. As the Board manages evolving expectations for how boards should meet their oversight duties and assess their own performance, the format of the evaluations may vary from written questionnaires completed by each director analyzed by the office of the Corporate Secretary to interviews of each director, including from time to time by a third-party facilitator.
Typically, the annual evaluation involves a multi-step process, as set forth below, that aims to generate robust comments and discussion at all levels of the Board and each Committee, with topics ranging from Board composition to processes to materials:
The evaluation process has resulted in enhancements or changes to, among other things, meeting materials, meeting topics, meeting structure, committee structure and composition and the evaluation process itself.
Director Orientation and Continuing Education
Director Orientation: Our robust orientation program familiarizes new directors with the Company's businesses, strategies and policies, and assists new directors in developing company and industry knowledge to optimize their service on the Board. The orientation also provides new directors with an understanding of their fiduciary duties and other requirements associated with serving on the Board of an Irish-domiciled company with shares listed on NASDAQ.
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 1: Elect Directors(continued)
Continuing Education: Regular continuing education programs enhance the skills and knowledge directors use to perform their responsibilities. These programs may include internally developed materials and presentations, programs presented by third parties, and financial and administrative support to attending qualifying academic or other independent programs.
Over the course of the last few years, the New Director Orientation and Continuing Education Program has been a standing agenda item on the Governance Committee's agenda. The Committee has overseen the orientation of the eight new independent directors, solicited input from the directors as to how to better onboard new directors and incorporated feedback into the program.
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2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 1: Elect Directors(continued)
Director Biographical Information
We have highlighted below some key qualifications, attributes, skills and experiences of each director nominee at the AGM that were considered by the Governance Committee. The absence of a particular bullet point does not mean that a director does not possess other important qualifications or skills.
Independent Director Since: 2022 Age: 61 Board Committees: Audit Committee (Chair); Key skills and experience: •Management •Industry •Financial |
Dame Background: Qualifications: The Board has concluded that |
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 1: Elect Directors(continued)
Independent Director Since: 2022 Age: 50 Board Committees: Corporate Governance and Nominating (Chair); Audit Committee Key skills and experience: •Executive/management •International business •Information technology and oversight of information security |
Fumbi Chima Background: Qualifications: The Board has concluded that |
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2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 1: Elect Directors(continued)
G Independent Director Since: 2023 Age: 63 Board Committees: Audit Committee; Key skills and experience: •Executive/management •International business •Financial |
Background: Qualifications: The Board has concluded that |
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 1: Elect Directors(continued)
Independent Director Since: 2022 Age: 66 Board Committees: Human Capital and Key skills and experience: •Executive/management •International business •Industry |
Background: Qualifications: The Board has concluded that |
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2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 1: Elect Directors(continued)
Chief Executive Officer Director Since: 2022 Age: 63 Key skills and experience: •CEO/management experience •International business experience •Financial expertise |
Background: Qualifications: The Board has concluded that |
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 1: Elect Directors(continued)
Independent Director Since: 2023 Age: 57 Board Committees: Human Capital and Key skills and experience: •Executive/management •Financial •Industry |
Background: From 2016 until 2021, Qualifications: The Board has concluded that |
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2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 1: Elect Directors(continued)
Independent Director Since: 2022 Non-Executive Chair of the Board as of the conclusion of the 2025 AGM Age: 70 Board Committees: Human Capital and Key skills and experience: •Executive/management •Financial •International business |
Background: Qualifications: The Board has concluded that |
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 1: Elect Directors(continued)
Independent Director Since: 2022 Age: 56 Board Committees: Human Capital and Key skills and experience: •Executive/management •Technology •Operational transformation |
Background: Qualifications: The Board has concluded that |
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2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 1: Elect Directors(continued)
Independent Director Since: 2023 Age: 69 Board Committees: Audit Committee; Key skills and experience: •Executive/management •Financial •International business |
Background: Qualifications: The Board has concluded that |
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
CorporateGovernance
We believe that good governance is critical to achieving long-term shareholder value. As such, we are committed to governance policies and practices that serve the long-term interests of the Company and its shareholders.
Corporate Governance Highlights
·Separate CEO and independent Board Chair roles. ·Formal CEO and management succession planning process. ·Share ownership guidelines for directors and executive officers. ·Insider trading policies applicable to directors, officers, WTW associates and the Company itself. ·Directors and employees prohibited from hedging Company shares. ·Directors and executive officers prohibited from having margin accounts and pledging Company shares. ·Majority voting for directors in uncontested elections; directors that do not receive a majority vote are not elected to the Board. ·Ongoing approach to Board refreshment and Board succession to meet evolving Board composition and Company needs. ·Active oversight · ·Annual Board and Committee self-evaluations. ·Semi-annual shareholder engagement. ·No poison pill. ·Shareholders holding 10% of the Company's share capital can convene a special meeting. ·Annual elections of directors and tenure limitations for directors, Board Chair and Committee Chairs. ·Regular executive sessions of independent directors. ·Conditional director resignations required for the Governance Committee's and the Board's consideration in the event a director experiences materially changed circumstances. |
·Limit on the number of public boards on which directors may serve and assessment of a director's continued service if he or she accepts membership on another public board. oFor each director, other than a director who serves an executive officer at WTW or any other public company, maximum of three other public company boards (in addition to WTW). oFor each director who serves as a public company executive officer (including WTW's CEO), maximum of one other public company board (in addition to WTW). ·All independent directors other than CEO. ·Annual review of Board Committee composition. ·Continued assessment of Board Committee structure to provide proper oversight of the Company's evolving business strategy and needs, including the creation of the Operational Transformation Committee, which expired at the end of 2024, and the new ·Proxy access proactively implemented. ·Onboarding and regular continuing director education. ·Board composition reflects a mix of gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, backgrounds, experiences and skill sets. ·Tenure guidelines for directors, Board Committee Chairs and the Board Chair. oNo re-nomination after completing 12 years of service as a oBoard and Committee chairs elected annually and not expected to serve for more than 6 consecutive terms (unless otherwise determined by the Board at the recommendation of the Governance Committee). |
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2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Corporate Governance(continued)
Board and Committee Member Independence
Based on the recommendation of the Governance Committee, the Board has determined that, with the exception of
As discussed above, each director has significant experience and affiliations with other organizations that bring relevant expertise to the oversight of the Company. In evaluating the independence of each director, the Governance Committee considered that, in the ordinary course of business, the Company provides services (such as insurance broking or consulting services) to, or receives services from, certain organizations affiliated with the directors by virtue of directorship, employment status or share ownership. The Governance Committee determined that, in all of the above cases, the transactions do not impair the relevant director's independence under the applicable
Board Meetings and Attendance
The Board met formally eight times in 2024. Additionally, the Board and its Committees met informally with management on numerous occasions during the course of the year to discuss, among other things, strategic, operational, management, compensation and governance issues. The independent directors held separate executive sessions without management either before or after the Board's regularly scheduled meetings in 2024. The Non-Executive Chair of the Board chaired each executive session. Neither the CEO nor any member of management at any level attends the executive sessions of the independent directors unless invited to discuss a particular matter.
All directors are expected to make every effort to attend meetings of the Board and the Board Committees on which they serve as well as each AGM. All directors who were on the Board in 2024 attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings held by the Board and any Board Committee on which they served in 2024. Further, all directors participated in the 2024 AGM.
Board Leadership Structure
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide the Board with flexibility to choose the appropriate leadership structure for the Board based on what it believes is best for the Company at any given point in time. We believe that strong independent leadership is important for the Board's performance and effectiveness and to help maintain independent oversight of management. As a result, when the Board Chair and the CEO are the same individual or the Board Chair no longer qualifies as independent, the Corporate Governance Guidelines provide for the appointment of a Presiding Independent Director. This structure, when implemented, promotes strong independence in Board leadership.
The Board continues to believe that the Company and its shareholders are best served by having the roles of Board Chair and CEO undertaken by different individuals. The separation allows our CEO to focus on executing our strategy and managing our business, and our Chair is able to focus on Board governance and effectiveness while providing independent Board leadership. Additional leadership roles continue to be filled by other directors, all of whom are independent and play an active role in our strategic planning and oversee such critical matters as the compensation policy for executive officers, nomination and corporate governance practices, and the integrity of financial statements and internal controls over financial reporting.
The Board generally reviews and renews, as appropriate, the term of the Board Chair annually. In furtherance of the Board's refreshment philosophy, the Board has elected
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Corporate Governance(continued)
Under the Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Non-Executive Board Chair:
Our Board Chair has actively participated in our multi-year Board succession and refreshment process as well as the management succession process.
Willis Towers Watson Board Committees
Critical matters such as the compensation policy for executive officers, nomination and corporate governance practices, and the integrity of financial statements and internal controls over financial reporting, and enterprise-wide risk management are overseen by the Board and its Committees, which are comprised solely of independent directors.
The Board Committees, members and a description of each Committee's function are set forth below in further detail. Each of our Board Committees has its own respective charter, which can be found, along with our Corporate Governance Guidelines in the "
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2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Corporate Governance(continued)
Board Committee Composition
The current Board Committee composition is as follows:
Audit1 |
Human Capital and Compensation |
Corporate Governance and Nominating |
Risk and Operational Oversight1 |
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Dame |
X* |
X |
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Fumbi Chima |
X |
X* |
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X |
X |
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X |
X* |
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X |
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X* |
X |
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X |
X |
*Designates Board Committee Chair. Chair service for all Board Committees, other than the Human Capital and
General Description of Board Committee Responsibilities
TheAudit Committeegenerally assists the Board with overseeing the following:
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Corporate Governance(continued)
Given the attendant risks to the items listed above and to ensure appropriate oversight and coordination among the committees, pursuant to the Audit Committee charter, the Audit Committee coordinates with the
The Audit Committee provides an avenue for communication among internal audit, the independent auditors, management and the Board. The members of management that join the Committee meetings include, among others, the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller, the General Counsel as well as the Heads of Internal Audit and Compliance. In addition, the Audit Committee discusses with management and, if appropriate, the independent auditors, matters such as the guidelines and policies governing the process by which senior management and the relevant departments of the Company assess and manage the Company's exposure to risk relating to audit, financial disclosure, tax matters, pension matters and foreign exchange hedging. With respect to compliance, the Audit Committee discusses with the Chief Compliance Officer the compliance and regulatory risks of the Company and receives a report outlining the main activities of the compliance function, material regulatory interactions review, progress against the annual compliance plan and the adequacy of resources. The Committee also discusses with the General Counsel any significant legal matters that may have a material effect on the Company. There is also an overlap of members between the Audit Committee and
Dame
In 2024, the
TheHuman Capital and
20
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Corporate Governance(continued)
In 2024, the HCC Committee met formally five times. In addition to holding formal meetings, the Committee members met informally during the course of the year to discuss compensation-related matters and acted from time to time by unanimous written consent. After regularly scheduled meetings, the Committee also met in executive session, which included meetings with the compensation consultant.
TheGovernance Committeegenerally assists the Board with the following:
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Corporate Governance(continued)
The Governance Committee believes in fostering strong governance practices and, from time to time, reviews governance principles set out by investors or other outside groups.
In 2024, the Governance Committee met formally four times. After each regularly scheduled meeting, the Governance Committee also met in executive session. In addition to holding formal meetings, the Committee members also met informally on numerous occasions during the course of the year to discuss governance-related matters.
The
22
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Corporate Governance(continued)
In 2024, the Operational Transformation Committee met formally four times. After each regularly scheduled meeting, the Operational Transformation Committee also met in executive session. In addition to holding formal meetings, the Committee members also met informally on a regular basis during the course of the year to discuss matters related to the Company's Transformation Program. Finally, from time to time, management consulted with
Director Nomination and Selection Process
The Governance Committee identifies potential director nominees by preparing a candidate profile based upon the current Board's strengths and needs, including based on the Company's strategy and goals for the future, and through a variety of sources, including by engaging search firms, considering input from stakeholders or utilizing the professional networks of the Board and senior management. Nominees must meet minimum qualification standards with respect to a variety of criteria including integrity, reputation, judgment, knowledge, experience, maturity, skills and personality, commitment and independence. The Governance Committee may also take into consideration additional factors that it may deem appropriate, which may include, among other factors, experience with business and other organizations, the interplay of the candidate's experience with the experience of other Board members and the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board and any committee thereof.
Further, the Board believes it is important to maintain diversity among its members and is committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion, broadly interpreted to include viewpoints, background, experience, attributes, industry knowledge and geography. In recommending candidates for nomination or re-nomination to the Board, the Governance Committee will consider, in connection with director qualification criteria, the composition of the Board as a whole. During its multi-year Board succession and refreshment process, the Governance Committee considered a wide slate of potential candidates, including women as well as racially and ethnically diverse candidates.
With feedback from the Board members, members of the Governance Committee initiate contact with preferred candidates and, following feedback from interviews conducted by Governance Committee and Board members, recommend candidates to join the Board. The Governance Committee has the authority to retain a search firm to assist with this process. The Governance Committee considers candidates nominated by shareholders and ensures that such nominees are given appropriate consideration in the same manner as other candidates. Recommendations may be submitted to any member of the Governance Committee pursuant to the procedures set forth below under "Communications with Shareholders and Other Constituencies" by writing to the Company Secretary at corporatesecretary@wtwco.com.
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Corporate Governance(continued)
Board Oversight of Senior Management Succession
In addition to the HCC Committee's regular review of talent and human capital management matters, the Board meets annually with the CEO and Chief Human Resources Officer to assess the succession potential and role readiness for each member of the executive leadership team. This review includes a discussion about development plans for executive officers to help prepare them for future succession and contingency plans in the event the CEO is unable to serve for any reason. Additionally, this discussion includes a review of all succession candidates for each executive officer role, including readiness assessments and related development plans for each candidate. The Chief Human Resources Officer then works with the CEO and executive officers to support candidate development.
The Board's Role in Risk Oversight
The Company's management is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks and the Board, including through its Committees, is responsible for understanding and overseeing the various risks facing the Company. Effective risk oversight is an important priority of the Board.
The Board implements its risk oversight function both as a whole through an overall review of risk in consideration of the Company's long-term strategies, human capital, and in the transactions and other matters presented to the Board, including capital expenditures, acquisitions and divestitures, and financial matters, and through delegation to its Committees, which meet regularly and report back to the Board. Further, members of the Board with particular expertise in important areas of risk, including financial, insurance and other areas of strategic importance, provide important insight to the Board and, as appropriate, its Committees, in considering these risks.
As noted above, as of
The Board has generally delegated, through respective
24
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Corporate Governance(continued)
The Company believes that its Board leadership and Committee structure supports the risk oversight function of the Board. Moreover, the Board's role in risk oversight of the Company is consistent with the Company's leadership structure, with the CEO and other members of senior management having responsibility for assessing and managing the Company's risk exposure, and the Board and its Committees providing oversight in connection with those efforts. Management regularly communicates with the Board, its Committees and individual directors about significant risks identified and how they are being managed. The Board also oversees management's crisis preparedness planning.
To leamore about the Company's cybersecurity risk management and strategy related risks facing the Company, review the discussion in "Item 1C.Cybersecurity" and the factors included in Part I, "Item 1A. Risk Factors", each of which is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending
Sustainability Oversight, Initiatives and Activities
Our clients, colleagues and other stakeholders expect us to conduct our business with integrity and in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. We take these expectations seriously and, consistent with what we believe enhances long-term value, have implemented sustainability programs that are aligned with our business priorities and support the communities in which we operate across the globe.
Sustainability is how we refer to our environmental, people and community, and governance efforts that relate to our own internal operations. To guide these activities, we have a cross-functional management committee sponsored by our General Counsel and comprised of representatives from across the global functions (the
With respect to Board oversight of sustainability matters, the Board believes that the most appropriate Committee should maintain oversight over relevant issues rather than concentrating the oversight of all sustainability initiatives into any one Committee. The Committees report to the Board as appropriate. For example:
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Corporate Governance(continued)
To leamore about our sustainability principles, goals and related statements, and to review our Sustainability Report (which includes EEO-1 data),
Non-Employee Director Compensation
Outlined below are the fees paid to the non-employee directors for each term of service (which runs from the date of the AGM to the date of the next meeting the subsequent year) under the current Compensation Policy and Share Ownership Guidelines for Non-Employee Directors, which was revised in 2024, including (i) to increase the annual equity retainer and Board Committee Chair fees to align with the market and (ii) to reflect the new Board Committee structure, effective
All Non-Employee Directors |
•
•
RSUs equal to
|
Non-Executive Chair of the Board |
•
•
If the Chair of the Board also serves as a Chair of a Committee, he or she is not permitted to receive Committee Chair fees.
|
Audit Committee Chair |
•
|
Risk & Operational Oversight Committee Chair |
•
|
C |
|
HCC Committee Chair |
•
|
Operational Oversight Committee Chair |
•
|
Governance Committee Chair |
•
|
26
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Corporate Governance(continued)
The following table sets forth cash and other compensation paid or accrued to the non-employee directors of
|
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) |
Share Awards ($) (1) |
All Other Compensation ($) (2) |
Total ($) |
||||||||
Dame |
150,000 |
220,000 |
- |
370,000 |
||||||||
Fumbi Chima (4) |
12,500 |
345,000 |
- |
357,500 |
||||||||
|
125,000 |
220,000 |
- |
345,000 |
||||||||
|
150,000 |
220,000 |
- |
370,000 |
||||||||
|
125,000 |
220,000 |
- |
345,000 |
||||||||
|
125,000 |
220,000 |
- |
345,000 |
||||||||
|
125,000 |
220,000 |
- |
345,000 |
||||||||
|
140,000 |
220,000 |
- |
360,000 |
||||||||
|
225,000 |
320,000 |
- |
545,000 |
Share Ownership Guidelines
Under our share ownership guidelines, which are reviewed with the HCC Committee, non-employee directors are required to accumulate
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Corporate Governance(continued)
The following table sets forth the non-employee directors' equity ownership as of
Non-Employee Director |
Shares |
RSUs |
||||
Dame |
1,108 |
858 |
||||
Fumbi Chima |
1,620 |
1,345 |
||||
|
532 |
858 |
||||
|
1,108 |
858 |
||||
|
532 |
858 |
||||
|
893 |
(1) |
858 |
|||
|
1,108 |
858 |
||||
|
12,395 |
1,248 |
||||
|
532 |
858 |
(1) Includes 48 shares held via revocable trust.
For more information regarding the number of shares beneficially owned by each director as of
Review and Approval of Related Person Transactions
The Company has adopted written policies and procedures governing the review and approval of transactions between the Company and any of its directors or executive officers, director nominees, any security holder who is known to the Company to own of record or beneficially more than 5% of any class of the Company's voting securities or their immediate family members (each, a "Related Person") to determine whether such persons have a direct or indirect material interest. The Company's directors, director nominees and executive officers complete an annual director and officer questionnaire, which requires the disclosure of Related Person transactions. In addition, directors, director nominees and executive officers are obligated to advise the Audit Committee of any Related Person transaction of which they are aware, or become aware, and, in the event that any such transactions involve difficult or complex issues, the directors and executive officers are obligated to advise the General Counsel. Further, transactions that are determined to be directly or indirectly material to a Related Person are disclosed in the Company's Proxy Statement or Annual Report on Form 10-K in accordance with
28
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Corporate Governance(continued)
Any member of the Audit Committee who is a Related Person with respect to a transaction under review may not participate in the deliberations or vote regarding the approval or ratification of the transaction, provided, however, that such director may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting at which the Audit Committee considers the transaction.
2024 Related Person Transactions under Item 404 of Regulation S-K
No other transactions require disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K.
Communications with Shareholders and Other Constituencies
The CEO is responsible for establishing effective communications with the Company's stakeholder groups, including shareholders, the press, analysts, clients, suppliers, governments and representatives of the communities in which it operates. It is the policy of the Company for the CEO to appoint individuals to communicate and interact fully with these stakeholders. The Chair or another spokesperson chosen by the Board will speak for the Board when the Board determines it is appropriate for the Board to have a distinct and separate spokesperson. Often the Board will look to senior management to speak for the Company; however, the Board is also committed to engaging with shareholders to promote open and sustained dialogue in a manner consistent with the Company's communications policies and procedures.
Non-employee directors are not precluded from communicating directly with shareholders or other constituencies about Company matters, although directors are required under the Corporate Governance Guidelines to coordinate with the Chair and senior management before doing so. An interested person may communicate with independent directors or the non-management directors as a group by writing to the Company Secretary at corporatesecretary@wtwco.com. The Company Secretary will forward the communication to the director(s) to whom it is addressed.
All communications should include the following information:
Please note that communications may be shared with Company management.
Please see the section "Additional Information - Shareholder and Other Proposals for the 2026 AGM" at the end of this Proxy Statement for shareholders seeking to present a proposal for inclusion in the Company's proxy materials for the 2026 AGM.
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Corporate Governance(continued)
Shareholder Outreach Program
The Company frequently engages with shareholders. Each year, during the spring and fall seasons, we reach out to shareholders holding a majority of our outstanding shares and then discuss the shareholder feedback with our Board, oftentimes incorporating feedback into certain executive compensation, governance and other sustainability programs. The purpose of our year-round outreach is to foster relations with our shareholders by enhancing communications on matters such as corporate governance, executive compensation and environmental and social issues and providing our shareholders with a forum to discuss any questions they may have or voice any criticisms. We also use the opportunity to explain the various proposals included within the Proxy Statement. Members of management and directors have participated in discussions with shareholders.
The Governance and HCC Committees are both involved in the outreach program. Generally, we review our outreach plans and the results of our outreach efforts and discuss any significant feedback with both Committees (and the full Board, as appropriate). The Committees continue to value and consider shareholder feedback, among other factors, in their evaluation of the Company's executive compensation program and corporate governance structure.
In 2024, we reached out to shareholders holding approximately 60% of our outstanding shares, with approximately 40% of outstanding shares responding to the outreach in some manner. In connection with the 2024 proxy season outreach, shareholders were generally supportive of the Company's proposals. Over the course of our various shareholder outreach programs, we have received feedback from certain shareholders and have incorporated aspects of that feedback in parts of our Board succession plans and executive compensation programs, such as incorporating various financial metrics in executive compensation incentive plan designs, as described in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section of this Proxy Statement.
Vote Required for Special Meetings
Shareholders holding 10% of the Company's share capital have the ability to convene a special meeting.
30
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 2: Advisory(Non-binding) Vote to Ratify the Appointment of the Independent Auditors and a Binding Vote to Authorize the Board of Directors, Acting through the Audit Committee, to Fix the Independent Auditors' Remuneration
For the fiscal year ending
We are seeking ratification of both of these appointments in a non-binding advisory vote from our shareholders at the 2025 AGM. We are not required to have our shareholders ratify the appointments of our independent auditors, but we are nonetheless doing so because we believe it to be a matter of good corporate governance practice. If our shareholders do not ratify the appointments, it will be regarded as notice to the Board and the Audit Committee to consider selecting different firms. Even if the appointments are ratified, the Audit Committee may select different independent auditors at any time if it determines that such selections would be in the best interest of
The Board unanimously recommends that you vote, on a non-binding advisory basis, "FOR" the ratification of the appointment of (i)
A majority of the votes cast by shareholders at the 2025 AGM is required for the proposals. We expect that one or more representatives of
The Audit Committee reviews the auditors' independence and performance in deciding whether to retain them or engage different independent auditors. In the course of this review, the Committee considers, among other things, the auditors':
Fees Paid to the Independent Auditors
The fees that the Company incurs for audit, audit-related, tax and other professional services reflect the complexity and scope of the Company's operations, including:
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 2: Advisory (Non-binding) Vote to Ratify the Appointment of the Independent Auditors and a Binding Vote to Authorize the Board of Directors, Acting through the Audit Committee, to Fix the Independent Auditors' Remuneration(continued)
The following fees have been, or will be, billed by
2024 |
2023 |
||||
Audit fees (1) |
|
|
|||
Audit-related fees (2) |
1,300 |
1,291 |
|||
Tax fees (3) |
198 |
175 |
|||
All other fees (4) |
46 |
134 |
|||
Total fees |
|
|
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Process
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy regarding the pre-approval of services provided by the Company's independent auditors, which can be found in the "
The pre-approval of audit and permitted non-audit services may be given at any time before engagement for a specified service. Further, the policy outlines the audit and non-audit services that have been pre-approved by the Audit Committee. Pre-approval fee levels for these services to be provided by the independent auditor will be established by the Audit Committee at an annual fee meeting and pre-approved for the 12 months thereafter. All other services not listed in the policy must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee or a designated member. For pre-approved services that arise between regularly scheduled Committee meetings and exceed the pre-approval fee levels set in the annual fee meeting, the Audit Committee has pre-approved an additional pre-established fee level, which is to be administered by the Controller. The Audit Committee approved all services described in the "- Fees Paid to the Independent Auditors" section above in accordance with this policy.
Audit Committee Report
The Audit Committee is currently composed of five non-employee directors: Dame
32
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 2: Advisory (Non-binding) Vote to Ratify the Appointment of the Independent Auditors and a Binding Vote to Authorize the Board of Directors, Acting through the Audit Committee, to Fix the Independent Auditors' Remuneration(continued)
The Audit Committee operates under a Charter, which is described in detail under "Corporate Governance - Willis Towers Watson Board Committees." Among its other responsibilities described in its Charter referenced above, the Audit Committee assists the Board in its oversight of the quality and integrity of the Company's financial reporting, internal controls over financial reporting, financial management processes and risk management at the Company and subsidiary level as well the appointment, retention, performance and compensation of the Company's independent auditor. The Audit Committee meets with members of management, including the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller, the General Counsel as well as the Heads of Internal Audit, Compliance and Risk. The Audit Committee's focus on risk relates to major financial risk exposure, pertaining to, among other items, regulatory, audit, financial disclosure, tax matters, pension matters and foreign exchange hedging, and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such risks. Executive management is responsible for the Company's financial statements and overall reporting process, including the system of internal controls. The independent auditors are responsible for conducting annual audits and quarterly reviews of the Company's financial statements in accordance with auditing standards of the PCAOB and expressing an opinion as to the conformity of the annual financial statements with
In the performance of its oversight function, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements as of and for the year ended
Based upon the review and discussions described in this report, and subject to the limitations on the role and responsibilities referred to above, the Audit Committee agreed that the audited financial statements referred to above be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of
Dame
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 3: Advisory(Non-binding) Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation
Recognizing that executive compensation is an important matter for our shareholders, and in accordance with
This proposal, commonly known as a "say-on-pay" proposal, is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and our executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices as described in this Proxy Statement. Although the voting results are not binding, the Board and the HCC Committee will take into account the results of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.
We encourage our shareholders to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, which immediately follows this proposal. The Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes in more detail our executive compensation program and related policies and practices and explains the decisions the HCC Committee has made under this program and the factors considered in making those decisions. We also encourage our shareholders to review the 2024 Summary Compensation Table and other related compensation tables and narratives, which provide detailed information on the compensation of our named executive officers.
Accordingly, we ask our shareholders to vote "FOR" the following resolution, which requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast:
"RESOLVED, that the shareholders of
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote "FOR" the advisory (non-binding) resolution approving the overall executive compensation of
34
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation:Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The Compensation Discussion and Analysis ("CD&A") describes our compensation philosophy and provides an overview and analysis of (i) our 2024 compensation programs and policies for our NEOs; (ii) the material compensation decisions made by the HCC Committee under those programs and policies as reflected in the executive compensation tables that appear following this CD&A; and (iii) the material factors that the HCC Committee considered and the process it utilized in making those decisions.
CD&A Table of Contents
36 |
|
36 |
|
39 |
|
42 |
|
43 |
|
43 |
|
44 |
|
45 |
|
46 |
|
46 |
|
46 |
|
54 |
|
57 |
|
60 |
|
62 |
|
62 |
|
63 |
|
63 |
|
64 |
|
k |
|
67 |
|
67 |
|
67 |
2024 NEOs |
•
•
•
•
•
•
|
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
Executive Summary
NEO 2024 Compensation at a Glance
Strategic Alignment
Our multi-year Transformation Program launched in
Strategic Priorities |
||
Grow |
Simplify |
Transform |
Invest to grow at or above market in priority areas |
Increase agility and effectiveness; do the basics well |
Enhance client and colleague |
Our 2024 executive compensation program closely aligned with the third and final year of the Transformation Program, which concluded on
36
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
2024 Incentive Plans Overview
The 2024 incentive plans aimed to closely align rewards with progress towards the Company's publicly disclosed long-term goals with the purpose of incentivizing performance as the Company remained focused on the execution of its strategy. In
2024 STI Design Summary |
|||||||||||
NEO Role |
Enterprise Financial Performance |
Segment Financial Performance |
Individual Performance |
||||||||
Adjusted Net Revenue |
Adjusted Operating Margin |
Free Cash Flow Margin |
Total |
Adjusted Net Revenue |
Adjusted Operating Margin |
Total |
Individual Objectives |
Top 3 Non- Business as Usual Strategic Objectives |
Qualitative Financial Performance |
Total |
|
CEO |
26.7% |
26.7% |
26.7% |
80.0% |
20.0% |
20.0% |
|||||
CFO |
26.7% |
26.7% |
26.7% |
80.0% |
20.0% |
20.0% |
|||||
Segment Heads |
18.3% |
18.3% |
18.3% |
55.0% |
12.5% |
12.5% |
25.0% |
20.0% |
20.0% |
||
General Counsel |
24.2% |
24.2% |
18.3% |
66.7% |
20.0% |
13.3% |
33.3% |
||||
Potential Payout Opportunity:0% - 200% |
|||||||||||
Summary of Changes from Prior Year Design |
•
Differentiated the STI component and metric weightings by executive role to align contributions to and impact on performance results with payouts and further emphasize financial performance and accountability. The qualitative individual performance component weighting was decreased from 33.3% to 20% of total STI for the CEO, CFO and Segment Heads.
•
Introduced a segment financial performance component with quantitative financial metrics to strengthen accountability to business performance.
•
Revised the mode of measurement of the enterprise component Free Cash Flow metric from an absolute dollar target to a margin (percentage of revenue) target to align with our forward-looking guidance and investor communications. We consider this measure to be a meaningful metric since it evaluates free cash flow as a percentage of total revenue, providing insight into the Company's cash generation efficiency.
•
Streamlined the individual performance component for executives other than the CEO, by replacing individual objectives and contributions to shared key enterprise operational initiatives with each executive's top three non-business as usual ("BAU") strategic objectives aligned with the Company's Grow, Simplify and Transform strategy. This change emphasized focus on meaningful priorities that supported and drove successful execution of the Company's strategy.
|
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
2024 LTIP Design Summary |
|||||||
75% PSUs (cliff vest at end of performance period, subject to performance) |
25% RSUs (vest ratably over three years) |
||||||
·Aligns executive interests with those of our shareholders ·Incentivizes long-term decision making and meaningful value creation, and rewards exceptional performance ·PSU metrics align a significant portion of executive compensation with the Company's growth strategy and commitment to driving shareholder value: |
·Supports retention as the Company executes its Grow, Simplify and Transform strategy ·Aligns the Company's LTIP with market practice |
||||||
50%Three-Year Average Annual Adjusted Net Revenue Growth |
50%Three-Year Average Annual Adjusted Operating Margin Improvement |
||||||
Financial results based on performance relative to target for each metric with payout determined using sliding scale for each metric. |
|||||||
·PSU Modifier (Potential 0.8x to 1.2x Modifier on Financial Performance Results):Relative TSR against the S&P 500 |
|||||||
Potential Payout Opportunity:0% - 200% |
|||||||
Summary of Changes from Prior Year Design |
•
Replaced Adjusted Operating Margin with Three-Year Average Annual Adjusted Operating Margin Improvement to ensure that the PSUs incentivize and reward performance throughout the three-year performance period, not just the final year results.
•
Removed the Adjusted EPS Growth metric and allocated the corresponding weighting to the existing revenue metric to provide a stronger tie to the Company's strategic emphasis of delivering profitable growth.
•
Introduced a relative TSR modifier to further reinforce alignment of payouts with shareholder returns. The S&P 500 was selected as the performance benchmark as the Company has too few direct competitors to establish meaningful benchmarks, and the HCC Committee believes that the executives should be rewarded for outperforming the broader stock market returns, as represented by the S&P 500.
|
38
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
Summary of NEO 2024 Target Total Direct Compensation
The HCC Committee approved the target compensation levels set forth in the table below for the NEOs in 2024. These values differ from those reflected in the Summary Compensation Table, which reports actual STI outcomes and the grant date fair value of LTIP awards in accordance with
NEO |
Base Salary |
STI Target |
LTIP Target |
Target Total Direct Compensation1 |
||
% of Base Salary |
$ |
% of Base Salary |
$ |
|||
|
|
200% |
|
850% |
|
|
|
|
125% |
|
250% |
|
|
|
|
125% |
|
225% |
|
|
|
|
125% |
|
250% |
|
|
|
|
125% |
|
175% |
|
|
|
|
125% |
|
250% |
|
|
2025 Compensation and Incentive Plan Design Preview
In
2024 Company Highlights
2024 was a milestone year for WTW. The successful completion of our strategic transformation focused on our core priorities - Grow, Simplify, and Transform - has strengthened our competitive position and enabled us to produce solid results for the year. Three years of dedicated effort toward these goals has resulted in WTW becoming a faster-growing,
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
more focused and more profitable company. We achieved business growth through strategic investments in talent and innovation, streamlined operations to enhance efficiency and agility and modernized our practices to improve overall performance. Our financial results for 2024 reflect the successful execution of this strategy. The key highlights are as follows:
Financial Performance in 2024 |
||||
2024 Financial Targets |
Revenue |
Adjusted Operating Margin |
Adjusted EPS |
Free Cash Flow |
Mid-single digit organic growth |
23.0% - 23.5% + 100 - 150 basis points |
+ 10% - 17% growth |
Incremental improvement |
|
2024 GAAP Results |
Revenue |
Operating Margin |
Diluted EPS |
Cash Flows from |
+ 5% growth |
6.3% -810 basis points |
not meaningful |
+ 12% growth |
|
2024 Non-GAAP1 Results |
Organic Revenue |
Adjusted Operating Margin |
Adjusted EPS |
Free Cash Flow |
+ 5% growth |
23.9% + 190 basis points |
+ 17% growth |
+ 15% growth |
|
The Company's results were driven by a number of factors, enabling us to produce outcomes that were aligned with or better than our 2024 financial targets provided in guidance to investors prior to the start of the year. In addition to the financial targets listed above, the Company aimed to deliver •
WTW posted 5% revenue growth, bringing revenue to
•
GAAP operating margin for 2024 was not meaningful or representative of the Company's results primarily due to the sale of
•
Similarly, GAAP diluted EPS results were not meaningful or representative of the Company's results primarily due to the sale of
•
The Company generated free cash flow of
•
WTW delivered
|
1See pages 59 - 64 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
40
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
The financial accomplishments above were also driven by our achievements against our 2024 strategic priorities, which are summarized below.
Delivered on our Strategic Priorities in 2024 |
|
Grow |
•
Enhanced our client offerings using data, technology and analytics -Our specialization strategy was the primary driver of growth in R&B, strengthening our market position and our growth profile.
•
Launched new solutions and advanced our smart connections strategy -HWC delivered sustainable organic growth, bolstered by innovations to meet evolving market needs.
|
Simplify |
•
Completed the sale of
|
Transform |
•
Successful completion of our Transformation Program -We generated
•
Returned nearly
|
Reflecting the achievements described above and other factors taken into consideration, including maintaining alignment between NEO awards and broad-based colleague STI payouts (as a percentage of target), market practice, retention and rewarding performance as the Company executed on its strategic vision, (i) the NEO 2024 STI awards were earned at between 111.8% and 119.5% of target and (ii) the 2022 PSUs were earned at 149.4% of target. A detailed discussion of performance relative to the goals and objectives of each plan can be found in the section entitled "- Compensation Decisions and Outcomes" below.
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
Shareholder Engagement and Say-on-Pay
The Company regularly engages with its shareholders. In addition to continuous communication throughout the year, each year during the spring and fall seasons we formally reach out to shareholders holding over a majority of our shares in the aggregate and then discuss their feedback with our Board. The purpose of our formal year-round outreach is to foster relations with our shareholders by enhancing communications on corporate governance, executive compensation and environmental and social issues and providing our shareholders with a forum to discuss any questions they may have or voice any concerns. We also use the opportunity to explain various proposals included within the Proxy Statement. Members of management and directors participate in discussions with shareholders.
The Governance and HCC Committees are both involved in the outreach program. Generally, we review our outreach plans and the results of our outreach efforts and discuss any significant feedback with both Committees (and the full Board, as appropriate). The Committees continue to value and consider shareholder feedback, among other factors, in their evaluation of the Company's executive compensation program and corporate governance structure.
Over the course of 2024, we reached out to shareholders holding approximately 60% of our outstanding shares, with approximately 40% of outstanding shares responding to the outreach in some manner. In connection with the 2024 proxy season outreach, shareholders were generally supportive of the Company's proposals, including our 2024 Say-on-Pay proposal approving our NEOs' compensation, which received approximately 90% support at the 2024 AGM. We generally consider feedback from our shareholders during our outreach, as well as the results of the Say-on-Pay vote, when considering any potential changes to our compensation program.
42
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
Executive Compensation Design
Pay Philosophy
Our vision is to excel as an advisory, broking and solutions company for the benefit of all our stakeholders - creating a competitive advantage and delivering sustainable, profitable growth. We have focused on achieving this by executing our three strategic priorities for our Transformation Program: Grow, Simplify and Transform. To continue to build upon the success of the Transformation Program, which concluded as of
Our compensation policy is governed by the following principles, which guide how we structure our executive compensation program and reach compensation decisions for our NEOs:
Principle |
How We Achieve This |
Attract, motivate and retain highly qualified executives |
•
In determining appropriate target pay opportunities, the HCC Committee evaluates a number of factors, including but not limited to an individual's role, tenure, experience, contribution and performance, as well as comparisons to peers and market practices.
•
Although the HCC Committee considers each component of compensation (base salary, STI, LTIP and pension) separately, it also considers total rewards in aggregate to ensure competitiveness, incentivize top performance and drive alignment between the executive team and with shareholders.
|
Align executive interests with our strategy of maximizing shareholder value |
•
LTIP awards are made in the form of PSUs and RSUs, weighted at 75% and 25%, respectively. Collectively these awards account for the largest portion of the CEO's 2024 target total direct compensation and, on average, 51% of the other NEOs' 2024 target total direct compensation.
•
PSU performance metrics align a significant portion of NEO compensation with WTW's strategic priorities and commitment to driving shareholder value.
•
RSUs align executive rewards with share price performance and support retention.
|
Align executive team interests to drive profitable growth |
•
NEO STI awards are based on enterprise and segment financial performance, as well as strategic objectives, to support and drive successful execution of the Company's strategy.
|
Pay for performance |
•
A significant portion of each NEO's compensation is variable and at-risk, including STI awards (cash) and LTIP awards (equity). 91% of the CEO's 2024 target total direct compensation was variable, and, on average, 78% of the other NEOs' 2024 target total direct compensation was variable.
•
Incentive plans include a range of metrics to reward executives for exceptional performance and contributions at the enterprise, segment and individual levels.
|
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
Elements of Executive Compensation
The following table summarizes the core elements of our executive compensation program in 2024.
Pay Component |
Target Total Direct Compensation Pay Mix |
Key Features |
||
CEO |
Other NEO Average |
|||
Base Salary Provides market-competitive fixed pay to attract and retain highly talented executives |
·Reflects executive's role, responsibilities and individual performance ·Salary adjustments made only to reflect changes in responsibilities and/or when market or internal conditions warrant |
|||
Short-Term Incentive Compensation Provides short-term cash awards based on performance relative to achievement against established financial and qualitative objectives |
· ·Performance Components: -CEO and CFO:800% enterprise financial performance and 20% individual performance -Segment Heads:55% enterprise financial performance, 25% segment financial performance and 20% individual performance -General Counsel:66.7% enterprise financial performance and 33.3% individual performance ·STI Payout Opportunity:0% - 200% of target |
|||
Long-Term Incentive Compensation Provides long-term equity awards that align executive interests with those of our shareholders, incents and rewards long-term decision making and meaningful value creation and aims to retain high-performing executives |
· ·Vehicles:75% PSUs(cliff-vest at end of three-year period, subject to satisfaction of performance); 25% RSUs(vest ratably over three years) ·PSU Performance Metrics:50% Three-Year Average Adjusted Net Revenue Growth and 50% Three-Year Average Annual Adjusted Operating Margin Improvement ·PSU Modifier:Relative TSR against the S&P 500; potential 0.8x to 1.2x modifier on financial performance results ·PSU Payout Opportunity:0% - 200% of target ·Program features for executive officers and other eligible colleagues are fully aligned |
|||
Retirement and Other Benefits Encourage sustained services and retention and provide future retirement security; promote health and well-being |
Not Included in Target Total Direct Compensation |
·Retirement Plans:Qualified and supplemental non-qualified retirement plans ·Welfare:NEOs are eligible to participate in the medical, life insurance and other welfare benefits available to all other colleagues |
44
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
Compensation Practices at a Glance
We maintain a comprehensive compensation and governance framework aligned with market practices and standards.
What We Do |
What We Don't Do |
✓Annual Say-on-Pay vote (as recommended by the Board and management and as supported by a majority of shareholders) ✓Independent compensation consultant selected, engaged and overseen by the HCC Committee ✓A substantial majority of total compensation for executives tied to performance ✓A substantial portion of annual LTIP equity awards for executive officers subject to performance-based vesting requirements ✓Dividend equivalents accrued on PSUs and RSUs only paid if and when the underlying shares vest ✓Compensation recoupment policy applicable to executive officers' cash and equity incentive awards in the event of financial restatement as well as detrimental conduct, as discussed under "Compensation Recoupment Policy" below ✓All LTIP awards subject to double-trigger vesting upon change in control ✓Significant share ownership guidelines for executive officers and non-employee directors ✓HCC Committee oversight of risks associated with compensation policies and practices |
xNo excise tax gross-ups in connection with a change in control xNo share reserve automatic replenishment (evergreen) provision in any share-based plans xNo pledging by directors and executive officers or hedging by directors and employees xNo significant perquisites for NEOs xNo CEO employment agreement xNo backdating of share options and no option repricing without shareholder approval |
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
Compensation Decisions and Outcomes
Base Salary
The HCC Committee strives to set base salary at a competitive level based on an executive's position in the relevant markets in which the executive operates. The HCC Committee generally does not provide annual merit increases to executives, but rewards exceptional performance through STI and/or LTIP awards. Adjustments to base salaries are made by the HCC Committee to reflect changes in responsibilities and/or when competitive market or internal conditions warrant. In
Short-Term Incentive Compensation
STI awards are an integral component of the NEOs' total compensation intended to reward exceptional performance over the near-term. Each NEO is eligible to receive an annual STI award with a target value expressed as a percentage of base salary. The targets were established by the HCC Committee based on an evaluation of each NEO's total compensation, market practice and pre-existing employment arrangements (where applicable).
None of the NEOs' STI targets were changed in 2024.
2024 STI Design
The 2024 STI program was based upon specific enterprise and segment financial results, and individual performance as outlined in the section above entitled "- Executive Summary - NEO 2024 Compensation at a Glance - 2024 Incentive Plans Overview." The 2024 STI financial metrics and weightings for enterprise financial performance were intended to align rewards with progress towards publicly disclosed long-term goals, create a unifying, team mindset as the Company focused on the continued execution of its strategic priorities and support the achievement of profitable growth. Customized component weightings were introduced in 2024 in consideration of each NEO's ability to impact financial results.
Enterprise and Segment Financial Performance Metric Definitions |
The 2024 STI performance metrics were intended to generally align with external reporting, subject to further adjustments, including to better measure organic performance on a constant currency basis. •
Adjusted Net Revenue -Total "Revenue" as reported by the Company in its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
•
Adjusted Operating Margin -"Income from operations" generated during the performance period* as reported by the Company in its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
•
Free Cash Flow Margin -Free cash flow as a percentage of revenue, with results modified for acquisitions, divestitures and pension settlements closed during the performance period*. Free cash flow is defined as cash flows from operating activities less cash used to purchase fixed assets and software for internal use.
The above definitions are specific to the STI design, which may vary from those used for LTIP due to the distinct objectives and performance periods associated with each plan. |
* Performance period means
46
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
In determining enterprise and segment financial performance targets for 2024, the HCC Committee considered the Company's strategic priorities and set what it believed were challenging but achievable target levels at 100% payout to incent strong financial performance. The financial targets were based on the budget agreed upon by the Board with management during the first quarter of 2024, consistent with past practice and assuming STI funding for broad-based colleagues at 100% of target. The HCC Committee then set the financial metric weightings and approved the metric sliding scales. The HCC Committee believed the maximum level in each sliding scale represented very strong financial performance for the metric and very significant stretch improvement over the prior year, which would have been difficult to attain but if attained, would have materially contributed to the creation of substantial long-term value.
2024 STI Awards
The following table sets forth the STI awards approved by the HCC Committee and paid in cash to the NEOs for the fiscal year ended
NEO |
2024 |
STI Target |
2024 |
Enterprise Overall |
Segment Overall Financial Performance Result |
Individual Overall |
2024 STI Award |
2024 STI Award Target |
|||
|
|
200% |
|
119.4% |
̶̶ |
115.0% |
|
118.5% |
|||
|
|
125% |
|
119.4% |
̶ |
120.0% |
|
119.5% |
|||
|
|
125% |
|
119.4% |
104.6% |
100.0% |
|
111.8% |
|||
|
|
125% |
|
119.4% |
112.4% |
120.0% |
|
117.8% |
|||
|
|
125% |
|
121.7% |
̶ |
110.0% |
|
117.8% |
|||
|
|
125% |
|
119.4% |
104.6% |
115.0% |
|
117.1% |
The below sections discuss the results of enterprise and segment financial performance and individual performance that were used to determine the NEO 2024 STI awards.
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
Enterprise Financial Performance(55.0% - 80.0% of Total STI)
Actual performance for the enterprise financial metrics was measured against target performance and the resulting payout percentage was determined using the applicable sliding scale shown below.
Adjusted Net Revenue |
Adjusted Operating Margin |
FCF Margin |
||||||||
Performance as % of 2024 Target |
Adjusted Net Revenue ($M) |
Payout as % of Target |
Performance as % of 2024 Target |
Adjusted Operating Margin |
Payout as % of Target |
Performance as % of 2024 Target |
FCF Margin |
Payout as % of Target |
||
≥ 104.0% |
≥ |
200% |
≥ 104.3% |
≥ 24.2% |
200% |
≥ 107.1% |
≥ 15.0% |
200% |
||
100.0% |
|
100% |
100.0% |
23.2% |
100% |
100.0% |
14.0% |
100% |
||
98.9% |
|
90% |
98.3% |
22.8% |
90% |
92.9% |
13.0% |
50% |
||
96.0% |
|
50% |
96.1% |
22.3% |
75% |
<>92.9% |
<>13.0% |
0% |
||
<>96.0% |
<> |
0% |
94.0% |
21.8% |
25% |
|||||
<>94.0% |
<>21.8% |
0% |
For compensation purposes, (i) the 2024 Adjusted Net Revenue target above represented 6% organic growth over the Company's 2023 Adjusted Net Revenue, (ii) the 2024 Adjusted Operating Margin target represented +120 basis point growth over the Company's 2023 Adjusted Operating Margin and (iii) the 2024 FCF Margin target represented +130 basis point growth over the Company's 2023 Free Cash Flow.
Final Performance Results:
2024 Achievement and Performance Result |
Adjusted Net Revenue ($M) |
Adjusted Operating Margin |
FCF Margin |
|
2024 Target Performance: |
|
23.2% |
14.0% |
|
2024 Actual Performance: |
|
23.9% |
13.9% |
|
Actual Performance as % of Target Performance: |
99.3% |
103.1% |
99.0% |
|
Payout as % of Target: |
94.0% |
171.3% |
92.9% |
|
Enterprise Overall Financial Performance Result: |
||||
CEO, CFO and Segment Heads: |
119.4% |
|||
General Counsel: |
121.7% |
Segment Financial Performance(25.0% of Total STI for Segment Heads)
In 2024, the HCC Committee introduced segment financial performance metrics for Segment Heads to create additional accountability to the financial results of the NEO's respective segments. Actual performance for the segment financial metrics was measured against target performance and the resulting payout percentage for each Segment Head (
48
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
HWC Payout Grids and Actual Achievement
Adjusted Net Revenue (50% of Segment Result) |
Adjusted Operating Margin (50% of Segment Result) |
||||||
Performance as % of 2024 Target |
Adjusted Net Revenue ($M) |
Payout as % of Target |
Performance as % of 2024 Target |
Adjusted Operating Margin |
Payout as % of Target |
||
Maximum |
≥ 104.0% |
≥ |
200% |
Maximum |
≥ 103.4% |
≥ 30.4% |
200% |
Target |
100.0% |
|
100% |
Actual |
101.8% |
29.9% |
153.9% |
Actual |
98.8% |
|
71.0% |
Target |
100.0% |
29.4% |
100% |
Threshold |
98.0% |
|
50% |
Threshold |
95.2% |
28.0% |
25% |
<>98.0% |
<> |
0% |
<>95.2% |
<>28.0% |
0% |
||
HWC Overall Financial Performance Result: 112.4% |
R&B Payout Grids and Actual Achievement
Adjusted Net Revenue (50% of Segment Result) |
Adjusted Operating Margin (50% of Segment Result) |
||||||
Performance as % of 2024 Target |
Adjusted Net Revenue ($M) |
Payout as % of Target |
Performance as % of 2024 Target |
Adjusted Operating Margin |
Payout as % of Target |
||
Maximum |
≥ 104.0% |
≥ |
200% |
Maximum |
≥ 104.2% |
≥ 24.8% |
200% |
Target |
100.0% |
|
100% |
Actual |
100.6% |
23.9% |
115.2% |
Actual |
99.5% |
|
94.1% |
Target |
100.0% |
23.8% |
100% |
Threshold |
96.0% |
|
50% |
Threshold |
94.1% |
22.4% |
25% |
<>96.0% |
<> |
0% |
<>94.1% |
<>22.4% |
0% |
||
R&B Overall Financial Performance Result: 104.6% |
The HCC Committee also took into consideration the impact of the broad-based STI compensation expense on the calculation of segment Adjusted Operating Margin and that the Adjusted Operating Margin targets were set assuming the expense for broad-based STI funding would be 100% (at target). In light of these considerations, the HCC Committee determined the calculation of Adjusted Operating Margin would exclude any broad-based STI expense for above target payouts in order to eliminate unintended adverse consequences on the Segment Head results, for purposes of compensation. The impact of this adjustment ranged from
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
Individual Performance(20.0% - 33.3% of Total STI)
In 2024, the HCC Committee determined that the individual performance component of the 2024 STI plan would include customized weighted components for each NEO, described in the below table.
Individual Performance Component Weightings (as a % of Total STI) |
||||
NEO Role |
Individual Objectives |
Strategic Objectives Aligned with "Transforming and Simplifying to Grow" strategy |
Qualitative Financial Performance Including management of function budget and achievement of Transformation targets |
Total |
CEO |
20.0% |
̶̶̶ |
̶ |
20.0% |
CFO and Segment Heads |
̶ |
20.0% |
̶ |
20.0% |
General Counsel |
̶ |
20.0% |
13.3% |
33.3% |
When assessing the individual performance component for the NEOs, the HCC Committee considered their achievements relative to their objectives and goals in the applicable performance areas above, which contributed to the Company's strong overall performance and successful execution of the Company's strategy. The HCC Committee also considered the CEO's performance recommendations for the NEOs other than himself. Relevant highlights of the objectives and achievements considered by the HCC Committee when determining each NEO's individual performance for 2024 are as follows:
|
|
2024 Individual Objectives and Achievements |
Executive and Enterprise Scorecard •
•
Spearheaded the Company's successful completion of the Transformation Program.
•
Concrete actions and results relating to free cash flow discipline and growth.
Colleague Experience •
Enhanced the Company's colleague development programs.
•
Continued investment in talent through changes to the Company's total rewards and recognition offerings as a result of a global total rewards review.
•
Continued efforts in support of organizational simplification.
Based on the above achievements and consideration of |
50
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
|
|
Top Three 2024 Non-BAU Strategic Objectives and Achievements |
Finance Function Transformation •
Fully achieved Transformation Program financial and operating model targets within the Finance function.
Investor Relations Function Transformation •
Further enhanced investor relations function and activities.
Portfolio Management Transformation •
Spearheaded the Company's inorganic growth efforts by augmenting and leading the Corporate Development function.
•
Oversight of divestitures, acquisitions and special projects in 2024.
Based on the above achievements and consideration of |
|
|
Top Three 2024 Non-BAU Strategic Objectives and Achievements |
Continued Implementation and Refinement of Strategic Model •
Rapid acclimation into new role and significant contributions to the R&B strategy.
Focus on Inorganic Growth through Targeted M&A Efforts •
Continued focus on inorganic growth through targeted M&A activity.
•
Supported leadership focus on growth.
Efforts Relating to Re-entry into the Reinsurance Market •
Successful exploration of opportunities resulting in the Company's joint venture with
•
Continued progress in advancing the Bain JV.
Based on the above achievements and consideration of |
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
|
|
Top Three 2024 Non-BAU Strategic Objectives and Achievements |
Enhance HWC Portfolio Composition •
Exceptional leadership to enhance the HWC portfolio composition in 2024 including the completion of the sale of
Evolve Wealth Offerings •
Critical contributions to the growth and evolution of Wealth offerings.
Explore Business to Business and Business to Consumer ("B2B2C") Extension •
Formed team and appointed leaders to evaluate the range of alternatives for B2B2C for the Company.
•
Completed minority stake ownership in Atomos.
Based on the above achievements and consideration of |
|
|
Top Three 2024 Non-BAU Strategic Objectives and Function Financial Achievements |
Transformation Program Savings •
Achieved savings targets for the
Continue to Implement OGC Projects to Invest in and Improve Functions •
Successfully implemented projects that improved efficiency and effectiveness within the OGC function.
Support Internal Clients on Transformation Program and Other Strategic Matters in 2024 •
Provided key support to the businesses and functions in the successful implementation of the Transformation Program.
•
Provided key support for M&A activities.
Function Financial Performance •
Efficiently managed core outside counsel spending across the Company and fully met stretch budget goals for the OGC function.
Based on the above achievements and consideration of |
52
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
|
|
Top Three 2024 Non-BAU Strategic Objectives and Achievements |
Continue to Implement Industry and Product Specialization •
Exceptional contributions to segment and enterprise growth.
Focus on Inorganic Growth through Targeted M&A Efforts •
Continued focus on inorganic growth through targeted M&A efforts.
Meet Transformation Program Goals •
Critical contributions to the achievement of Transformation Program business.
•
Successful transition of responsibilities to
•
Led a successful change management and communications campaign to ensure understanding of
Based on the above achievements and consideration of |
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
2024 LTIP Awards
The HCC Committee approved the following 2024 LTIP awards for the NEOs which were granted on
NEO |
2024 Base Salary |
LTIP Target as % of Base Salary |
2024 LTIP Award1 |
|||
|
|
850% |
|
|||
|
|
250% |
|
|||
|
|
250% |
|
|||
|
|
175% |
|
|||
|
|
250% |
|
Following a review of external market data and internal pay equity, and in light of continued strong performance in their roles, the HCC Committee approved the following increases to NEO LTIP targets as a percentage of base salary in
The 2024 LTIP awards will vest upon the certification of the performance achievements by the HCC Committee after the conclusion of the three-year performance period ending
2024 - 2026 LTIP Design
54
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
As discussed above, the HCC Committee approved certain changes to the PSU performance metrics for 2024 to focus on growth. For the 2024 LTIP, the HCC Committee removed the Adjusted EPS Growth metric, previously weighted at 20%, and allocated the corresponding weighting to the Adjusted Net Revenue Growth metric to provide a stronger tie to the Company's strategic emphasis on delivering profitable growth. The HCC Committee also replaced Adjusted Operating Margin with the Adjusted Operating Margin Improvement metric to help ensure that the LTIP rewards performance throughout the full three-year period, rather than just the final year of the performance period. Management and the HCC Committee believe that delivering improved margins and revenue growth support the successful execution of our strategic priorities to the benefit all stakeholders, including our shareholders.Accordingly, the HCC Committee believes that the PSU metrics, which are intended to measure organic performance, align a significant portion of NEO compensation with the Company's strategic priorities and commitment to driving shareholder value.
A relative TSR modifier, which measures three-year relative TSR against the S&P 500, was also introduced to strengthen the alignment of payouts with shareholder returns. The relative TSR modifier (0.8x - 1.2x) is measured based on the Company's TSR relative to that of the S&P 500 companies for the performance period. The HCC Committee selected relative TSR as it is aligned with the shareholder experience, requiring that we outperform the market to eaincentives above target. The S&P 500 was selected as a performance-benchmark because the S&P 500 is objectively determined, and the HCC Committee believes that the executives should be rewarded for outperforming the broader stock market returns, as represented by the S&P 500.
PSU Financial Metric and Modifier Definitions |
|
2024-2026 Average Annual Adjusted Net Revenue Growth (50%of PSU Results) |
Adjusted Net Revenue Growthmeans the average of the Company's annual organic growth figures as reported by the Company in its Form 10-K from 2024 through the end of the performance period*. |
2024-2026 Average Annual Adjusted Operating Margin Improvement (50%of PSU Results) |
Adjusted Operating Margin Improvementmeans the average of the basis point changes in Adjusted Operating Margin for each year from 2024 through the end of the performance period*. Total Adjusted Operating Margin Improvement targets and results will be modified for acquisitions and divestitures closed during the performance period. Adjusted Operating Marginmeans "Adjusted operating income margin" generated by the Company during the performance period* as reported by the Company in its Form 10-K. |
2024-2026 Relative TSR Modifier (Potential 0.8x to 1.2x Modifier on PSU Financial Performance Result) |
Annualized TSRmeans the following: |
* Performance period means
Earned PSUs will be determined based on a sliding scale for each PSU financial metric with a 100% (target) payout if the applicable target performance goal is achieved. The sliding scales for each financial metric contain thresholds, such that there is a potential of a 0% payout for each metric if the threshold performance goal is not achieved and a 200% payout if the maximum performance goal is achieved.Payouts between defined performance goals are calculated on a straight-line basis. The performance ranges for each financial metric are independent and it is possible to eaa payout on one metric and not the other (assuming the threshold performance goal has been met on that metric).
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
The Company believes that the details of the financial performance ranges prior to the end of the applicable performance period for the PSUs is competitively sensitive information. The relative TSR modifier will be determined based on the achievement of the applicable performance target relating to the Company's annualized TSR over the performance period relative to the TSR of the S&P 500 constituents as of the last day of the performance period, as set forth in the table below:
WTW's TSR Relative to the S&P 500 (Modifies PSU Financial Performance Result) |
||
Performance |
Percentile Rank |
Modifier |
Maximum |
≥ 75thPercentile |
1.2x |
Target |
50thPercentile |
1.0x |
Threshold |
≤ 25thpercentile |
0.8x |
The maximum payout that can be achieved through the financial metrics and the modifier is 200% of target.
2022 - 2024 PSU Performance Results and Payout
PSUs were granted to the NEOs who were executive officers on
Adjusted Operating Margin (50% of PSU Result) |
Adjusted Net Revenue (30% of PSU Result) |
Adjusted EPS (20% of PSU Result) |
||||||||
Performance as % of 2024 Target |
2024 Adjusted Operating Margin |
Payout as % of Target |
Performance as % of 2024 Target |
2024 Adjusted Net Revenue ($M) |
Payout as % of Target |
Performance as % of 2024 Target |
2024 Adjusted EPS |
Payout as % of Target |
||
≥ 108.7% |
≥ 25.0% |
200% |
≥ 104.0% |
≥ |
200% |
≥ 128.6% |
≥ |
200% |
||
104.3% |
24.0% |
150% |
102.0% |
|
150% |
117.1% |
|
150% |
||
100.0% |
23.0% |
100% |
100.0% |
|
100% |
100.0% |
|
100% |
||
95.7% |
22.0% |
75% |
97.0% |
|
75% |
94.3% |
|
75% |
||
91.3% |
21.0% |
50% |
95.0% |
|
50% |
91.4% |
|
50% |
||
<>91.3% |
<>21.0% |
0% |
<>95.0% |
<> |
0% |
<>91.4% |
<> |
0% |
56
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
Final Performance Results:
2024 Achievement and Performance Result |
2024 Adjusted Operating Margin |
2024 Adjusted Net Revenue ($M) |
2024 Adjusted EPS |
2024 Target Performance: |
23.0% |
|
|
2024 Actual Performance: |
23.9% |
|
|
Actual Performance as % of Target Performance: |
103.9% |
104.1% |
96.4% |
Payout as % of Target: |
145.0% |
200.0% |
84.3% |
Overall PSU Performance Result: |
149.4% |
The overall PSU performance result was applied to the target number of shares under the PSU award including dividend equivalents accrued through the vesting date. The earned shares under the award will vest in
Benefits
Retirement Plans
In 2024, all NEOs, except for
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
For
Other Benefits
Employee Welfare Benefit Plans
Our NEOs are eligible to participate in the medical, life insurance and other welfare benefits available to all other colleagues. There are no special medical plans or other welfare plans for our NEOs.
Broad-Based Share Purchase Plans
Our NEOs are eligible to participate in the broad-based share purchase plans available to all other colleagues in the eligible countries which are described below.
Perquisites
The HCC Committee believes that providing generous executive perquisites is not necessary to attract and retain executive talent nor is it consistent with the Company's pay-for-performance philosophy. In 2024, we did not provide significant perquisites to the NEOs, as described in the Summary Compensation Table.
58
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
Severance Benefits
The HCC Committee believes that severance benefits are a necessary component of a competitive compensation program because they help in attracting executives from outside of the Company and minimize distraction and ensure continuity during times of uncertainty or transition, including during a change in control. In certain cases, such benefits are consideration for an executive's agreement not to compete. Set forth below is a summary of the NEOs' termination arrangements as of
Executive Severance Plans
All NEOs except for
The Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company Severance and Change in Control Pay Plan for
Executive Severance Plans Summary |
|
Involuntary Termination1 Outside of Change in Control Period |
•
CEO:(i) 2x base salary (paid in monthly cash installments); (ii) 2x STI target; and (iii) cost of COBRA premiums for the continuation of group healthcare coverage for up to 24 months following participant's termination
•
Other NEOs2:(i) 1x base salary (paid in monthly cash installments); (ii) 1x STI target; and (iii) cost of COBRA premiums for the continuation of group healthcare coverage for up to 18 months following participant's termination3
|
Qualifying Termination1 During Change in Control Period |
•
CEO:(i) 3x base salary (paid in cash lump sum); (ii) 3x STI target; (iii) pro-rata portion of STI award payable for year in which termination occurs based on period participant is employed during year; and (iv) cost of COBRA premiums for the continuation of group healthcare coverage for up to 24 months following participant's termination
•
Other NEOs2:(i) 2x base salary (paid in cash lump sum); (ii) 2x STI target; (iii) pro-rata portion of STI award payable for year in which termination occurs based on period participant is employed during year; and (iv) cost of COBRA premiums for the continuation of group healthcare coverage for up to 18 months following participant's termination3
|
Equity award vesting acceleration treatment is addressed separately as set forth in executive's equity award agreements.
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
In addition to the severance benefits described in the Executive Severance Plans Summary above certain NEOs are eligible for additional benefits as described below and further discussed in the section entitled "Compensation Tables - Potential Payments to Named Executive Officers Upon Termination and/or Change in Control":
2025 Compensation Preview
2025 Incentive Plan Changes
As the Transformation program concluded, the HCC Committee again conducted a thorough review of the executive incentive compensation plans to ensure that they support the Company's go forward strategy. While the 2025 STI and LTIP designs remain largely similar to the 2024 designs, the HCC Committee approved certain changes in February 2025 which are summarized below.
2025 STI Design Summary |
|||
NEO Role |
Enterprise Financial Performance (% of Total STI) |
Segment Financial Performance* (% of Total STI) |
Individual Performance Modifier |
CEO, CFO and General Counsel |
100% |
N/A |
Up to +/- 20% discretionary adjustment to calculated financial performance results |
Segment Heads |
50% |
50% |
|
Potential Payout Opportunity:0% - 200% |
Summary of Changes |
•
Increased the weighting of financial performance metrics compared to 2024. The enterprise performance component weighting was increased: (i) from 80% to 100% of total STI for the CEO and CFO and (ii) from 66.7% to 100% for the General Counsel. For Segment Heads, the enterprise performance component weighting was decreased from 55% to 50% and the segment performance component weighting was increased from 25% to 50%.
•
Enterprise metric weightings were adjusted to provide for uniform alignment of enterprise performance results (37.5% Adjusted Net Revenue, 37.5% Adjusted Operating Margin and 25.0% FCF Margin) across all NEO roles
•
Weighted individual performance component was replaced with an individual performance modifier to be used to reward for performance not captured by financial results, including M&A and individual objectives. The total potential payout will remain subject to a 200% cap.
|
* Segment financial performance metrics and metric weightings remain the same as prior year (50% Adjusted Net Revenue and 50% Adjusted Operating Margin).
60
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
The 2025 LTIP design remains the same as the 2024 design described in this CD&A, except that specific financial targets have been changed.
2025 Target Total Direct Compensation Changes
In February 2025, following a review of external market data and internal pay equity, and in light of continued strong performance in their roles, the HCC Committee approved increases to 2025 target total direct compensation for
NEO |
2025 Base Salary1 |
2025 STI Target2 |
2025 LTIP Target3 |
2025 Target Total Direct Compensation |
% Increase from 2024 |
||
% of Base Salary |
$ |
% of Base Salary |
$ |
||||
|
$800,000 |
150% |
$1,200,000 |
350% |
$2,800,000 |
$4,800,000 |
26% |
|
$784,875 |
125% |
$981,094 |
275% |
$2,158,406 |
$3,924,375 |
21% |
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
Compensation Governance
Role of the HCC Committee
The role of the HCC Committee and its interplay with management and the Board as a whole are set forth below.
Management |
HCC Committee |
Board of Directors |
·CEO makes recommendations to HCC Committee on compensation for executive officers, including NEOs, based on holistic assessment of each executive's individual performance and overall Company financial goals ·No member of management participates in discussions concerning his or her own compensation ·As appropriate, other executive officers will attend meetings to provide opinions and recommendations |
·Evaluates compensation levels for NEOs and administers Company's executive compensation program ·Reviews and approves all components of executive compensation for NEOs and recommends CEO compensation for Board ratification ·Annually reviews and approves corporate goals and key objectives related to NEO compensation, evaluates NEO performance in light of those goals and objectives and determines and approves NEO compensation ·Recommends non-employee director compensation for Board approval ·Reviews, among other things, compliance with share ownership guidelines, proxy season trends, shareholder feedback and the compensation risk assessment ·Provides input and advice on Company's human capital and talent strategy ·Reviews its Charter, responsibilities and annual calendar ·Engages an independent compensation consultant |
·Ratifies all components of executive compensation for CEO ·Approves HCC Committee recommendations on non-employee director compensation, share ownership guidelines and policy |
62
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
Role of the External HCC Committee Consultant
The HCC Committee has the independent authority to hire external consultants, as well as the sole authority to retain and terminate the services of its consultant. In 2024, the HCC Committee engaged
During the course of 2024,
During 2024,
The HCC Committee was also provided compensation market data and inputs from the Company's internal compensation consultants ("WTW consultants"). The HCC Committee along with
Other than serving as the consultant to the HCC Committee,
Use of Peer Company Data
In making its determinations for fiscal year 2024, the HCC Committee considered publicly available information of a select group of peer companies, as well as survey data from the Company's compensation surveys, to inform the pay levels and structures for the senior executive team. The peer group was used as the primary reference point for the CEO, CFO and Segment Head compensation benchmarking, while the size-adjusted general industry survey data was the primary reference point for all other NEOs. All compensation data used was reviewed and supported by
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
The peer group was selected by the HCC Committee based on the recommendations of the WTW consultants and
For conducting a competitive assessment of the compensation levels for the Company's executives for fiscal year 2024, the HCC Committee approved the below peer group of 16 companies, consistent with the peer group used in 2023. At the time the peer group was approved by the HCC Committee, WTW was at the 31stpercentile in terms of total revenue and the 50thpercentile in terms of market capitalization among this peer group.
|
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
Robert Half Inc.
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
Compensation Policies and Risk
Compensation Risk Analysis
In reviewing the Company's pay programs, the HCC Committee considers whether the programs encourage unnecessary or excessive risk taking that might have an adverse impact on the Company. At the request of the HCC Committee, the WTW consultants, with the review and concurrence of
64
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
Compensation Recoupment Policy
The Company's compensation recoupment policy (the "Recoupment Policy"), adopted by the Board and administered by the HCC Committee, is intended to encourage sound risk management and individual accountability. The Recoupment Policy satisfies the compliance requirements of the applicable
Covered Persons |
Company's current and former executive officers |
|
Covered Events |
Financial Restatement |
Detrimental Conduct* |
Trigger |
Financial Restatement due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under securities laws |
Detrimental Conduct that is likely to cause or has caused material financial, operational or reputational harm to WTW |
Lookback Period |
Three years |
Three years |
Covered Incentive Compensation |
Compensation granted, earned or vested after the effective date of the Recoupment Policy based wholly or in part upon attainment of Financial Reporting Measure |
Incentive compensation (awarded, earned, paid or payable),including any bonus, STI award/amount, LTIP award/amount and equity-based awards, including those that vest solely based on continued service |
Recoupment Amount |
Any excess compensation determined with reference to the restated Financial Reporting Measure(s) |
Determined by the HCC Committee with reference to factors including relative degree of fault or involvement, impact of conduct on WTW, magnitude of any loss caused and other relevant facts and circumstances |
HCC Committee Discretion |
No discretion unless HCC Committee determines that such recovery would be impracticable in accordance with the Policy |
Discretion to determine whether Detrimental Conduct has occurred and amount to be recovered |
* Detrimental Conductconsists of: (i) the commission of an act of fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement in the course of employment; (ii) the commission of a criminal act, whether or not in the workplace, that in the HCC Committee's sole discretion, constitutes a felony or crime of comparable magnitude that could subject the Company to reputational harm; (iii) the material violation of a non-compete, non-solicitation, confidentiality or other restrictive covenant agreement; (iv) the willful and material breach of a Covered Person's obligations under the Company's Code of Conduct relating to compliance with law or regulations that would give rise to dismissal under the Code of Conduct or termination for Cause (as defined in the policy); or (v) any act or omission involving willful misconduct that resulted in such Covered Person's termination for Cause. |
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
Executive Share Ownership Guidelines
The HCC Committee oversees the implementation of the share ownership policy that applies to the executive officers of the Company, to further align their interests with those of our shareholders and provide meaningful personal interest in sustainable value creation. In September 2024, the HCC Committee approved amendments to the share ownership policy, as summarized below. These changes aim to align with market and peer practice and further align the interests of the Company's executive officers with those of shareholders and the Company's share price performance. Most notably, the updated share ownership policy eliminates the prior compliance period of five years to achieve the ownership guideline of 6x base salary for the CEO and 3x base salary for the other executive officers, in favor of a 100% retention ratio, which requires 100% of net after-tax shares to be held until the ownership guideline has been met. Implementing a retention ratio is observed by a majority of WTW's compensation peers.
Minimum Guidelines |
•
CEO:6x base salary
•
Other Executive Officers: 3x base salary
|
Retention Ratio |
•
100% (defined as the net after tax shares required to be held until the ownership guideline has been met)
•
Includes all WTW shares, regardless of the means acquired
|
Shares Counted |
•
Shares owned outright or in a trust for benefit (including shares acquired from equity awards or from share market purchases)
•
Shares or units held in broad-based share purchase plans (i.e., the Willis Towers Watson Employee Share Purchase Plan and the Willis Towers Watson
•
Shares held through a WTW-sponsored savings, retirement or deferred compensation plan
•
Unvested and vested restricted shares or RSUs that are subject to time-based vesting
•
Unvested earned PSUs (i.e., PSUs determined to be earned based on the attainment level of the performance objectives, but still subject to time-based vesting criteria)
|
Shares NotCounted |
•
Unvested or vested/unexercised share options
•
Unvested/unearned PSUs
|
As of December 31, 2024, the NEOs have satisfied the minimum required share ownership requirements.
Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policies
The Company prohibits directors and executive officers from pledging any Company shares, including by entering into margin accounts, and prohibits directors and all employees from engaging in hedging transactions with respect to ownership in the Company's securities (including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds).
66
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis(continued)
Additional Information
Share Award Policy
The Board has a policy governing the granting of options and other share-based awards under the Company's equity plans. The Company has not granted share options or similar types of awards since 2015.
It is the Company's policy not to backdate option grants or other share-based awards to take advantage of a lower share price or to schedule grants of options or other share-based awards before or after specific events to take advantage of anticipated movements in the price of our shares.
Tax and Accounting Implications
Section 162(m) of the IRC generally limits the deductibility of the compensation payable by public companies to certain executive officers covered by IRC Section 162(m) to $1 million in any taxable year. As a result, short-term and long-term compensation, including performance-based compensation, in excess of $1 million payable to our executive officers who are considered "covered employees" under IRC Section 162(m), which would include our NEOs, will not be deductible for tax purposes. While the non-deductibility of compensation for tax purposes is one of several considerations the HCC Committee weighs in determining its executive compensation program, the HCC Committee retains discretion to structure its executive compensation to be competitive and effective in order to promote the Company's business goals even if the compensation payable to our NEOs is not fully deductible.
The HCC Committee also takes into consideration the potential implications of Section 409A of the IRC in designing the compensation payable to our NEOs.
The accounting expense of the compensation payable to our NEOs, including the decision to adopt new share-based programs or make any changes to the share-based component of our NEOs' compensation arrangements, is also factored into the HCC Committee's decision to approve our NEOs' compensation.
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Human Capital andCompensation Committee Report
This report is submitted to the shareholders of
The HCC Committee has reviewed, and discussed with management, the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this Proxy Statement, and based on this review and discussion, recommended to the Board that it be included in this Proxy Statement.
Submitted by the HCC Committee of the Board of Directors of
Human Capital andCompensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of the HCC Committee. In addition, none of our executive officers serves as a member of the compensation committee of any entity that has one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of our Board.
68
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
CompensationTables
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of the Named Executive Officers for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
Principal Position |
Year |
Salary ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Share Awards ($) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) |
Change in Pension Value and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) |
All Other Compensation ($) |
Total ($) |
|
2024 |
1,000,000 |
- |
8,933,289 |
2,370,400 |
- |
198,401 |
12,502,090 |
CEO |
2023 |
1,000,000 |
- |
8,499,764 |
2,499,508 |
156,923 |
512,637 |
12,668,832 |
2022 |
1,058,173 |
- |
7,249,654 |
1,801,052 |
- |
620,021 |
10,728,900 |
|
|
2024 |
800,001 |
- |
2,101,633 |
1,195,200 |
12,589 |
85,325 |
4,194,748 |
CFO |
2023 |
800,000 |
- |
1,599,704 |
1,241,429 |
21,654 |
128,839 |
3,791,626 |
2022 |
800,000 |
- |
1,599,768 |
1,106,595 |
3,300 |
58,789 |
3,568,452 |
|
|
2024 |
357,524 |
1,476,140 |
5,549,307 |
1,121,345 |
- |
11,935 |
8,516,251 |
President, R&B |
||||||||
|
2024 |
674,375 |
- |
1,792,701 |
1,004,725 |
- |
98,465 |
3,570,266 |
President, HWC |
2023 |
650,000 |
- |
1,499,548 |
1,028,953 |
- |
211,358 |
3,389,859 |
2022 |
650,000 |
- |
1,137,196 |
647,358 |
- |
244,337 |
2,678,891 |
|
|
2024 |
612,125 |
- |
1,139,184 |
912,244 |
14,287 |
66,199 |
2,744,039 |
General Counsel |
2023 |
590,000 |
- |
884,903 |
903,275 |
39,662 |
112,164 |
2,530,004 |
2022 |
580,000 |
- |
884,776 |
785,415 |
21,290 |
126,620 |
2,398,101 |
|
|
2024 |
639,233 |
- |
1,680,613 |
947,092 |
- |
80,010 |
3,346,948 |
Chairman, R&B |
2023 |
615,984 |
- |
1,362,909 |
975,105 |
- |
79,992 |
3,033,990 |
2022 |
624,864 |
- |
1,137,434 |
622,324 |
- |
80,955 |
2,465,577 |
* The figures for
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Salary (Column C)
The amounts shown in column C reflect base salaries earned by each NEO during the listed year.
Bonus (Column D)
The amount in column D reflects
Share Awards (Column E)
The amounts shown in column E reflect the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in "Note 19-Share-based Compensation" to our Fiscal Year 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal Year 2024 filed with the
Column E |
||||||||
NEO |
Award |
Grant Date |
PSU Award Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value ($) |
RSU Award Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value ($) |
Total Share Award Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value ($) |
|||
|
2024 LTIP Award |
1-Apr-2024 |
6,808,387 |
2,124,902 |
8,933,289 |
|||
|
2024 LTIP Award |
1-Apr-2024 |
1,601,785 |
499,848 |
2,101,633 |
|||
|
Sign-On Award |
1-Oct-2024 |
- |
999,729 |
5,549,307 |
|||
Buyout Award |
1-Oct-2024 |
- |
2,999,788 |
|||||
Buyout Award |
1-Oct-2024 |
- |
1,549,790 |
|||||
|
2024 LTIP Award |
1-Apr-2024 |
1,366,408 |
426,293 |
1,792,701 |
|||
|
2024 LTIP Award |
1-Apr-2024 |
868,205 |
270,979 |
1,139,184 |
|||
|
2024 LTIP Award |
1-Apr-2024 |
1,280,844 |
399,769 |
1,680,613 |
70
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
The aggregate grant date fair value shown in the table above for the NEOs' PSUs granted pursuant to the 2024 LTIP reflects the value of each award at the grant date based on the probable outcome of the market and performance conditions as of the grant date (target performance). Below is a comparison of the value of each award at the grant date based on the probable outcome of the market and performance conditions and the value of each award at the grant date assuming the highest level of performance conditions will be achieved.
NEO |
Award |
Grant Date |
PSU Award Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value Based on Target Performance ($) |
PSU Award Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value Assuming Maximum Performance ($) |
||
|
2024 LTIP Award |
1-Apr-2024 |
6,808,387 |
12,252,906 |
||
|
2024 LTIP Award |
1-Apr-2024 |
1,601,785 |
2,882,697 |
||
|
2024 LTIP Award |
1-Apr-2024 |
1,366,408 |
2,459,095 |
||
|
2024 LTIP Award |
1-Apr-2024 |
868,205 |
1,562,490 |
||
|
2024 LTIP Award |
1-Apr-2024 |
1,280,844 |
2,305,106 |
For more information regarding the equity awards, see the "Grants of Plan-Based Awards" table, the "Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End" table and the section entitled "Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Compensation Decisions and Outcomes - Long-Term Incentive Compensation."
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (Column F)
The amounts shown in column F reflect the NEOs' 2024 STI awards, which were fully paid in cash in March 2025.
Change in Pension Value and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings (Column G)
This column reflects any aggregate increase in actuarial present values of accumulated benefits during the relevant fiscal year for the NEOs under the Willis Towers Watson Pension Plan and the Towers Watson Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("Towers Watson SERP") (through July 1, 2017, when it was frozen). Any increase in actuarial present value was determined using assumptions that are the same as those used in the Company's financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, except that retirement is assumed to occur at the earliest unreduced retirement age for the NEOs and no pre-retirement terminations or deaths are assumed to occur. The column does not reflect any aggregate decrease in actuarial present values of accumulated benefits during the relevant fiscal year.
The earliest unreduced retirement ages and detail of any assumption(s) used in the calculations for each of the NEOs is as follows:
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
The pension values for Messrs. Krasner and Furman increased during the year. The pension value for
All Other Compensation (Column H)
The amounts shown in column H reflect the aggregate dollar amount
NEO |
Company Contributions to Company- Sponsored Retirement Plans ($) (1) |
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits ($) (2) |
Tax Reimbursement ($) (3) |
2024 All Other Compensation Total ($) |
|
197,782 |
- |
619 |
198,401 |
|
85,325 |
- |
- |
85,325 |
|
11,935 |
- |
- |
11,935 |
|
98,465 |
- |
- |
98,465 |
|
66,199 |
- |
- |
66,199 |
|
64,823 |
15,187 |
- |
80,010 |
72
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Total (Column I)
The amounts shown in column I reflect the sum of columns C through H for each NEO.
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table sets forth the grants of plan-based awards made to the NEOs during 2024. Amounts shown in columns C through E relate to the STI award opportunities in respect of 2024. The terms and conditions of these awards are described in the section entitled "Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Compensation Decisions and Outcomes - Short-Term Incentive Compensation." The remaining columns relate to equity awards granted under the 2024 LTIP (which consisted of PSUs and RSUs) and sign-on and buyout equity awards of RSUs granted to
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
L |
|
Grant |
Estimated Future Payouts |
Estimated Future Payouts |
All Other Stock Awards: Shares |
All Other Awards: of |
Exercise |
Grant Date Value |
||||
Threshold |
Target |
Maximum |
Threshold |
Target |
Maximum |
||||||
|
- |
- |
2,000,000 |
4,000,000 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
4/1/2024 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
7,771 |
- |
- |
2,124,902 |
|
4/1/2024 |
- |
- |
- |
9,326 |
23,314 |
46,628 |
- |
- |
- |
6,808,387 |
|
|
- |
- |
1,000,000 |
2,000,000 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
4/1/2024 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1,828 |
- |
- |
499,848 |
|
4/1/2024 |
- |
- |
- |
2,194 |
5,485 |
10,970 |
- |
- |
- |
1,601,785 |
|
|
- |
- |
1,002,813 |
2,005,625 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
10/1/2024 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
9,980 |
- |
- |
2,999,788 |
|
10/1/2024 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
5,156 |
- |
- |
1,549,790 |
|
10/1/2024 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
3,326 |
- |
- |
999,729 |
|
|
- |
- |
853,125 |
1,706,250 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
4/1/2024 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1,559 |
- |
- |
426,293 |
|
4/1/2024 |
- |
- |
- |
1,872 |
4,679 |
9,358 |
- |
- |
- |
1,366,408 |
|
|
- |
- |
774,375 |
1,548,750 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
4/1/2024 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
991 |
- |
- |
270,979 |
|
4/1/2024 |
- |
- |
- |
1,189 |
2,973 |
5,946 |
- |
- |
- |
868,205 |
|
|
- |
- |
808,668 |
1,617,336 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
4/1/2024 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1,462 |
- |
- |
399,769 |
|
4/1/2024 |
- |
- |
- |
1,754 |
4,386 |
8,772 |
- |
- |
- |
1,280,844 |
* The HCC Committee approved enhanced treatment of certain outstanding and future equity awards for
74
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
WTW's TSR Relative to the S&P 500 (Modifies PSU Financial Performance Result) |
||
Performance |
Percentile Rank |
Modifier |
Maximum |
≥ 75thPercentile |
1.2x |
Target |
50thPercentile |
1.0x |
Threshold |
≤ 25thpercentile |
0.8x |
The maximum payout that can be achieved through the financial metrics and the modifier is 200% of target. The earned PSUs will vest on April 1, 2027 for all NEOs, subject to the continued employment of the participant during the vesting period, except as otherwise described in the section below entitled "- Potential Payments to Named Executive Officers Upon Termination and/or Change in Control." Dividend equivalents in the form of additional shares will accrue on the PSUs, but are only paid to the same extent and at the same time as the underlying shares vest. For additional information on the 2024 LTIP, see section entitled "Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Compensation Decisions and Outcomes - Long-Term Incentive Compensation."
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth the outstanding share-based awards held by the NEOs as of December 31, 2024.
|
Share Awards |
|||
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) (1) |
Equity Incentive Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) |
Equity Incentive Value Of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) (1) |
|
|
- |
- |
23,795 (2) |
7,453,546 |
2,446 (3) |
766,185 |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
28,086 (4) |
8,797,659 |
|
5,929 (5) |
1,857,200 |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
23,529 (6) |
7,370,224 |
|
7,842 (7) |
2,456,428 |
- |
- |
|
|
- |
- |
5,251 (2) |
1,644,823 |
584 (3) |
182,932 |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
5,286 (4) |
1,655,787 |
|
1,175 (5) |
368,057 |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
5,535 (6) |
1,733,783 |
|
1,845 (7) |
577,928 |
- |
- |
|
|
3,335 (8) |
1,044,655 |
- |
- |
10,008 (9) |
3,134,906 |
- |
- |
|
|
- |
- |
3,733 (2) |
1,169,325 |
391 (3) |
122,477 |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
4,295 (4) |
1,345,366 |
|
918 (5) |
287,554 |
- |
- |
|
423 (10) |
132,501 |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
4,722 (6) |
1,479,119 |
|
1,573 (7) |
492,727 |
- |
- |
|
|
- |
- |
2,905 (2) |
909,962 |
323 (3) |
101,177 |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
2,924 (4) |
915,914 |
|
650 (5) |
203,606 |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
3,000 (6) |
939,720 |
|
1000 (7) |
313,240 |
- |
- |
|
|
- |
- |
3,734 (2) |
1,169,638 |
415 (3) |
129,995 |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
3,843 (4) |
1,203,781 |
|
854 (5) |
267,507 |
- |
- |
|
440 (10) |
137,826 |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
4,426 (6) |
1,386,400 |
|
1,475 (7) |
462,029 |
- |
- |
* The HCC Committee approved enhanced treatment of certain outstanding and future equity awards for
76
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Adjusted Operating Margin (50% of PSU Result) |
Adjusted Net Revenue (30% of PSU Result) |
Adjusted EPS (20% of PSU Result) |
||||||||
Performance as % of 2024 Target |
2024 Adjusted Operating Margin |
Payout as % of Target |
Performance as % of 2024 Target |
2024 Adjusted Net Revenue ($M) |
Payout as % of Target |
Performance as % of 2024 Target |
2024 Adjusted EPS |
Payout as % of Target |
||
≥ 108.7% |
≥ 25.0% |
200% |
≥ 104.0% |
≥ $9,911.3 |
200% |
≥ 128.6% |
≥ $22.57 |
200% |
||
104.3% |
24.0% |
150% |
102.0% |
$9,720.7 |
150% |
117.1% |
$20.55 |
150% |
||
100.0% |
23.0% |
100% |
100.0% |
$9,530.1 |
100% |
100.0% |
$17.55 |
100% |
||
95.7% |
22.0% |
75% |
97.0% |
$9,244.2 |
75% |
94.3% |
$16.55 |
75% |
||
91.3% |
21.0% |
50% |
95.0% |
$9,053.6 |
50% |
91.4% |
$16.04 |
50% |
||
<>91.3% |
<>21.0% |
0% |
<>95.0% |
<>$9,053.6 |
0% |
<>91.4% |
<>$16.04 |
0% |
2024 Achievement and Performance Result |
2024 Adjusted Operating Margin |
2024 Adjusted Net Revenue ($M) |
2024 Adjusted EPS |
2024 Target Performance: |
23.0% |
$9,530.1M |
$17.55 |
2024 Actual Performance: |
23.9% |
$9,923.7M |
$16.92 |
Actual Performance as % of Target Performance: |
103.9% |
104.1% |
96.4% |
Payout as % of Target: |
145.0% |
200.0% |
84.3% |
Overall PSU Performance Result: |
149.4% |
The overall PSU performance result was applied to the target number of shares under the PSU award including dividend equivalents accrued through the vesting date. As a result, the earned shares shown below are expected to vest in April 2025 for each NEO. Note that the earned shares shown below include dividend equivalents in the form of additional shares accrued on the PSUs through December 31, 2024 (3.9% of the target # of PSUs granted), but the actual earned shares to vest in April 2025 will include additional dividend equivalents accrued through the vesting date.
NEO |
Target # of PSUs Granted (including dividend equivalents accrued through December 31, 2024) |
Earned # of PSUs at 149.4% Payout |
|
23,795 |
35,550 |
|
5,251 |
7,845 |
|
3,733 |
5,576 |
|
2,905 |
4,339 |
|
3,734 |
5,578 |
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
78
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Option Exercises and Shares Vested
The following table sets forth the share option exercises by the NEOs and the vesting of RSUs and PSUs during 2024.
|
Option Awards |
Share-Based Awards |
||
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) |
Value Realized on Exercise ($) |
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) (1) |
Value Realized on Vesting ($) (2) |
|
|
- |
- |
10,065 |
2,731,152 |
|
- |
- |
5,752 |
1,655,750 |
|
- |
- |
5,156 |
1,549,790 |
|
- |
- |
5,588 |
1,488,355 |
|
- |
- |
3,902 |
1,034,330 |
|
- |
- |
5,257 |
1,398,314 |
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Pension Benefits at 2024 Fiscal Year-End
Pension Benefits |
||||
|
Plan |
Number of Years Credited Service (#) |
Present Value of Accumulated Benefit ($) (1) |
Payments During the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024 ($) |
|
Willis Towers Watson Pension Plan |
35.50 |
1,855,314 |
̶ |
Towers Watson SERP |
28.00 |
3,163,281 |
̶ |
|
Total |
5,018,595 |
̶ |
||
|
Willis Towers Watson Pension Plan |
6.92 |
57,309 |
̶ |
Total |
57,309 |
̶ |
||
|
Willis Towers Watson Pension Plan |
38.17 |
1,817,047 |
̶ |
Towers Watson SERP |
30.67 |
5,215,782 |
̶ |
|
Total |
7,032,829 |
̶ |
||
|
Willis Towers Watson Pension Plan |
7.50 |
167,233 |
̶ |
Total |
167,233 |
̶ |
The Towers Watson SERP was frozen as of July 1, 2017. Accruals for compensation over the
Effective December 31, 2011, benefit accruals were frozen under the qualified and non-qualified defined benefit plans that had been maintained by legacy Towers Perrin and legacy
80
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Willis Towers Watson Pension Plan
The Willis Towers Watson Pension Plan is a broad-based, tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan that provides a benefit to eligible colleagues of the Company. In general, all
Effective January 1, 2024, the Willis Towers Watson Pension Plan no longer has a non-contributory component. Under the new contributory formula, employees must contribute 2% of covered pay to the plan in order to participate. Covered pay includes salary only; the additional 5% of eligible pay above the Social Security Wage Base was eliminated. Beginning January 1, 2024, participants covered by the new contributory formula will eaa lump sum benefit payable at the participant's normal retirement age (65) equal to:
For this purpose, covered pay consists of base salary. The lump sum is reduced for commencement prior to age 65 at a compounding rate of 5% per year.
Prior to January 1, 2024, under the stable value formula, each eligible participant earned a lump sum benefit at the participant's normal retirement age (65) equal to 11.5% of each covered year's pay up to the
Participants who were not eligible for benefit accruals as of December 31, 2016 eabenefits under the contributory stable value formula. Under the contributory formula, employees must contribute 2% of covered pay to the plan in order to participate. Beginning July 1, 2017 participants covered by the contributory formula will eaa lump sum benefit payable at the participant's normal retirement age (65) equal to: (i) 9.5% of each year's covered pay up to the
Benefits earned prior to December 31, 2011 are specified in the legacy formulas as outlined below.
Legacy Watson Wyatt Formulas
Benefit accruals earned under these formulas ceased on December 31, 2011. Defined benefit plan accruals after December 31, 2011 are earned under the stable value provisions described above.
Benefits earned under the legacy Watson Wyatt Pension formulas by participants who were employed by legacy
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
The standard form of benefit payment is a single life annuity benefit for participants who are not married and a 100% joint and contingent annuity benefit for married participants. Alternatively, participants may elect a joint and contingent annuity with a continuation percentage of 50%, 75% or 100%, or a certain and continuous annuity benefit with 5 or 10 years of guaranteed payments, subject to the plan provisions and statutory limits. The payout option must be elected by the participant before benefit payments begin.
The monthly benefit at normal retirement (age 65) is equal to 1.7% times the participant's average monthly compensation for the 60 consecutive months with the highest compensation plus 0.4% times the average monthly compensation for the 60 consecutive months with the highest compensation that exceeds the Social Security Covered Compensation (as defined in the plan), all times the number of completed years and months of continuous service up to 25 years. As of December 31, 2022,
Colleagues who were employed by legacy
Benefits accrued under the grandfathered formulas were frozen on the earlier of June 30, 2008 or termination of employment, except for the formula that indexes the June 30, 2003 accrued benefit which was frozen at December 31, 2011. At retirement or termination, whether before or after June 30, 2008, an associate's accrued benefit will not be less than the frozen grandfathered benefit. If the associate terminates employment after age 50, the frozen grandfathered benefit will be reduced by 5% per year for commencement before age 60. For termination before age 50, this benefit will be actuarially reduced from age 65. Grandfathered colleagues who attain age 50 with 10 years of service will be eligible for early retirement.
Legacy Towers Perrin Formulas
Benefit accruals earned under these formulas ceased on December 31, 2011. Defined benefit plan accruals after December 31, 2011 are earned under the stable value provisions described above.
In general, all
Active colleagues as of January 1, 2003 accrued benefits under both the final average earnings formula and the cash balance formula until December 31, 2007. Upon termination of employment, the values of the benefits under both of these formulas are compared, with the participant receiving the greater of the two.
Participants hired (or rehired) on or after January 1, 2003, but prior to January 1, 2011, earned benefits solely under the cash balance formula. Beginning January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2011, benefits were earned only under the cash balance formula.
82
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Final Average Earnings Formula
Benefits earned under the final average earnings formula are equal to 2 percent of the final five-year average of plan compensation (subject to the
Prior to October 1, 2008, the accrued benefit for participants terminating prior to eligibility for early retirement was equal to 2 percent of the final five-year average of plan compensation (subject to the
Participants earning benefits under the final average earnings formula are also entitled to a
Participants with service prior to December 31, 1993 are entitled to a subsidized joint and survivor spousal annuity, provided that they terminate employment after attaining age 50. The subsidized percentage equals 100 percent multiplied by the ratio of credited service as of December 31, 1993 divided by credited service at the earlier of date of termination or December 31, 2007, both subject to a maximum of 20 years.
Cash Balance Formula
Benefits earned under the cash balance formula are expressed in the form of a notional account balance. Each month a participant's cash balance account was increased by (i) pay credits based on the participant's plan compensation for that month and (ii) interest credits based on the participant's hypothetical account balance at the end of the prior month. As of December 31, 2011, pay credits were frozen, but interest credits continue. Pay credits were 5 percent of plan compensation up to the
An opening cash balance account was established for all active plan participants as of January 1, 2003. This opening account balance was equal to the present value of the final average earnings accrued benefit and
Participants with benefits under both the final average earnings formula and the cash balance formula may elect to receive their entire benefit as an annuity with the
Towers Watson SERP
The Towers Watson SERP was designed to restore benefits to plan participants whose qualified plan compensation or benefit levels are impacted by IRC maximums. For service rendered after December 31, 2011 and prior to July 1, 2017, benefits were earned under the stable value formula set forth in the Willis Towers Watson Pension Plan, where the participant would accrue a lump sum payable at normal retirement age (65) equal to 20% of plan compensation for the Towers Watson SERP. For purposes of the Towers Watson SERP, plan compensation is the same as the qualified plan, but only amounts over the IRC limit were considered in determining the Towers Watson SERP benefit. A participant will
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
receive a lump sum distribution six months after termination of employment equal to his or her stable value account with reductions for payments made prior to age 62 of a compounding 5% per year. Other than the timing and form of payment, all other stable value provisions are the same as those described in the Willis Towers Watson Pension Plan in effect prior to July 1, 2017.
Benefits earned prior to December 31, 2011 are specified in the legacy formulas as outlined below.
Legacy Watson Wyatt Formulas
The legacy Watson Wyatt Excess Benefit and legacy Watson Wyatt Excess Compensation formulas were designed to restore to eligible colleagues the reductions to their pension benefit imposed by IRC limitations. When the excess formula benefits are added to the benefit provided by the legacy
Legacy Towers Perrin Formulas
The benefits provided under the Towers Perrin Restoration formula will be approximately equal to the difference between the benefits provided under the legacy Towers Perrin qualified formula and benefits that would have been provided under such formula if not for the limitations applicable to qualified plans under the IRC, except that participants with service prior to December 31, 1993 are entitled to a subsidized joint and survivor spousal annuity, provided that they terminate employment after attaining age 50. The subsidized percentage on the total benefit equals 60 percent multiplied by the ratio of credited service as of December 31, 1993 divided by credited service at the earlier of the date of termination or December 31, 2007, both subject to a maximum of 20 years.
Benefits earned under this formula are distributed in four approximately equal annual installments, beginning six months after separation from service.
84
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2024 concerning the legacy
The table also provides information as of December 31, 2024 concerning the WTW Deferred Savings Plan, as well as for the WTW Stable Value Excess Plan effective July 1, 2017.
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
All colleague deferrals and all Company matches and/or accruals in the WTW Stable Value Excess Plan and the WTW Deferred Savings Plan are credited in the form
|
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan |
Executive Contributions for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024 ($) |
Registrant Contributions for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024 ($) |
Aggregate Earnings for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024 ($) |
Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) |
Aggregate Balance at December 31, 2024 ($) (5) |
|
WW Deferred Savings Plan |
- |
- |
12,174 (3) |
- |
149,906 |
WTW Deferred Savings Plan (2) |
189,270 |
110,408 |
637,681 (4) |
- |
2,689,222 |
|
WTW Stable Value Excess Plan |
13,100 |
89,437 |
576,542 (4) |
- |
2,472,482 |
|
|
WTW Deferred Savings Plan (2) |
101,786 |
59,375 |
116,066 (4) |
- |
485,287 |
WTW Stable Value Excess Plan |
9,100 |
15,898 |
43,253 (4) |
- |
200,649 |
|
|
WTW Deferred Savings Plan (2) |
81,500 |
47,541 |
1,745,713 (4) |
- |
7,274,234 |
WTW Stable Value Excess Plan |
6,588 |
47,177 |
384,963 (4) |
- |
1,643,231 |
|
|
WTW Deferred Savings Plan (2) |
70,224 |
40,964 |
223,612 (4) |
- |
931,527 |
WTW Stable Value Excess Plan |
5,343 |
14,832 |
181,400 (4) |
- |
772,153 |
The balances reported for the WTW Deferred Savings Plan and the WTW Stable Value Excess Plan reflect the value
86
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Named Executive Officers' Employment Agreements
The material terms of the existing employment agreements, for the NEOs who have them, are described below.
In addition, the award agreements for the long-term equity awards granted to each of the NEOs provide that, unless otherwise set forth in the individual's employment agreement or required by law, the executive is subject to certain non-competition, non-solicitation and non-disparagement restrictions for a period of up to 24 months following his termination, depending upon such NEO's jurisdiction, and confidentiality restrictions for an unlimited period following such NEO's termination.
Further information regarding the values of the change in control and severance provisions in our NEOs' employment agreements are contained in the section entitled "- Potential Payments to Named Executive Officers Upon Termination and/or Change in Control."
Pursuant to an offer letter dated as of August 26, 2021,
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Pursuant to an offer letter dated May 15, 2024,
Pursuant to an employment agreement dated as of February 25, 2015,
88
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
termination date or the date
During the term of his employment and for a period of 12 months following the termination of his employment,
Pursuant to an employment agreement dated May 11, 2009,
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Potential Payments to Named Executive Officers Upon Termination and/or Change in Control
The table appearing immediately below sets forth the estimated payments and benefits that the Company's NEOs would have received assuming termination and/or a change in control had occurred on December 31, 2024. For a brief description of the applicable non-competition and non-solicitation covenants, see the section above entitled "- Named Executive Officers' Employment Agreements."
General Severance Payments
The HCC Committee believes that severance benefits are a necessary component of a competitive compensation program; in certain cases, such benefits are consideration for an executive's agreement not to compete. With the exclusion of
Executive Severance Plans
All NEOs other than
Equity award vesting acceleration treatment is addressed separately on an annual basis and set forth in executive's equity award agreements.
Under the Executive Severance Plans, if any payments and benefits constitute "parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G of the IRC and would otherwise be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the IRC, then the payments and benefits will be either delivered in full or delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such benefits being subject to such excise tax, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the IRC, results in the receipt by the participant on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the IRC. Additional information on the Executive Severance Plans, as well as the plan documents, can be found in our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the
In addition to the severance benefits described above, in the event of
90
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
terms are defined in the
The definitions of "good cause" and "good reason" are set forth in
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Potential Payments as of December 31, 2024
The below table reflects the severance benefits that
Termination Scenarios |
||||||
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
||
|
Form of Compensation |
Termination Outside of Change in Control Period* ($) |
Termination During Change in Control Period** ($) |
Retirement ($) |
Death or Disability ($) |
Cause/ Without Good Reason ($) |
|
Cash Severance Payment (1) |
6,000,000 |
11,370,400 |
- |
- |
- |
Perquisites/Benefits (2) |
45,618 |
45,618 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Accelerated Vesting of Equity Awards (3) |
22,556,726 |
28,701,242 |
22,556,726 |
32,383,378 |
- |
|
Total |
28,602,344 |
40,117,260 |
22,556,726 |
32,383,378 |
- |
|
|
Cash Severance Payment (1) |
1,800,000 |
4,795,200 |
- |
- |
- |
Perquisites/Benefits (2) |
53,853 |
53,853 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Accelerated Vesting of Equity Awards (3) |
3,223,240 |
6,163,310 |
- |
6,975,855 |
- |
|
Total |
5,077,093 |
11,012,363 |
- |
6,975,855 |
- |
|
|
Cash Severance Payment (1) |
1,805,063 |
4,731,471 |
- |
- |
- |
Perquisites/Benefits (2) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Accelerated Vesting of Equity Awards (3) |
- |
4,179,561 |
- |
4,179,561 |
- |
|
Total |
1,805,063 |
8,911,032 |
- |
4,179,561 |
- |
|
|
Cash Severance Payment (1) |
1,535,625 |
4,075,975 |
- |
- |
- |
Perquisites/Benefits (2) |
29,275 |
29,275 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Accelerated Vesting of Equity Awards (3) |
3,634,524 |
5,029,069 |
3,634,524 |
5,606,370 |
- |
|
Total |
5,199,424 |
9,134,319 |
3,634,524 |
5,606,370 |
- |
|
|
Cash Severance Payment (1) |
2,306,119 |
3,562,125 |
- |
- |
- |
Perquisites/Benefits (2) |
30,192 |
30,192 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Accelerated Vesting of Equity Awards (3) |
1,782,649 |
3,383,619 |
- |
3,832,805 |
- |
|
Total |
4,118,960 |
6,975,936 |
- |
3,832,805 |
- |
|
|
Cash Severance Payment (1) |
1,455,602 |
3,858,296 |
- |
- |
- |
Perquisites/Benefits (2) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Accelerated Vesting of Equity Awards (3) |
5,334,791 |
5,334,791 |
5,334,791 |
5,334,791 |
- |
|
Total |
6,790,393 |
9,193,087 |
5,334,791 |
5,334,791 |
- |
*Termination Outside of Change in Control Period -ForCash Severance PaymentandPerquisites/Benefitsamounts, this column represents: (i) Involuntary Termination under the Executive Severance Plans for
**Termination During Change in Control Period -ForCash Severance PaymentandPerquisites/Benefitsamounts, this column represents: (i) Qualifying Termination occurring during the period commencing 6 months prior to a "change in control" and ending 24 months following a "change in control," under the Executive Severance Plans for
92
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Executive Severance Plan) provided at least three months' notice is given and she does not leave the Company prior to 30 days following the effective date of a "change in control."
*** Per terms of
(1) Cash Severance Payment
The components of the Cash Severance Payment that could be payable to the NEOs in certain termination scenarios include: (i) severance payment consisting of a multiple of the executive's annual base salary and target STI award and (ii) pro-rata STI award for the year of termination, based on target or actual performance, and payable at the same time that STI awards are payable generally.
A breakdown of the Cash Severance Payment amounts shown above for each NEO is shown in the following table with additional details described below.
Termination Scenarios |
||||||
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
||
|
Breakdown of Cash Severance Payment |
Termination Outside of Change in Control Period ($) |
Termination During Change in Control Period ($) |
Retirement ($) |
Death or Disability ($) |
Cause/ Without Good Reason ($) |
|
Severance Multiplier |
2 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
Severance Payment |
6,000,000 |
9,000,000 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Pro Rata STI for Year of Termination |
- |
2,370,400 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Cash Severance Payment |
6,000,000 |
11,370,400 |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Severance Multiplier |
1 |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
Severance Payment |
1,800,000 |
3,600,000 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Pro Rata STI for Year of Termination |
- |
1,195,200 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Cash Severance Payment |
1,800,000 |
4,795,200 |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Severance Multiplier |
1 |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
Severance Payment |
1,805,063 |
3,610,126 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Pro Rata STI for Year of Termination |
- |
1,121,345 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Cash Severance Payment |
1,805,063 |
4,731,471 |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Severance Multiplier |
1 |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
Severance Payment |
1,535,625 |
3,071,250 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Pro Rata STI for Year of Termination |
- |
1,004,725 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Cash Severance Payment |
1,535,625 |
4,075,975 |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Severance Multiplier |
1 |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
Severance Payment |
1,393,875 |
2,787,750 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Pro Rata STI for Year of Termination |
912,244 |
774,375 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Cash Severance Payment |
2,306,119 |
3,562,125 |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Severance Multiplier |
1 |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
Severance Payment |
1,455,602 |
2,911,204 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Pro Rata STI for Year of Termination |
- |
947,092 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Cash Severance Payment |
1,455,602 |
3,858,296 |
- |
- |
- |
* The figures for
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
(2) Perquisites/Benefits
The Perquisites/Benefits amounts shown in Columns A and B above for
In addition, upon any termination of employment, the NEOs may be entitled to benefits that are provided generally by the Company to salaried employees, including distributions under the Company's 401(k) plan, health care benefits, disability benefits and accrued vacation pay.
94
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
(3) Accelerated Vesting of Equity Awards
The amounts above reflect the intrinsic value of any unvested RSU and PSU awards held by each NEO that would (or could) have received accelerated vesting treatment in each termination scenario as described below pursuant to the applicable equity award or employment agreement, based on the Company's closing share price of $313.24, as quoted on the NASDAQ on the last business day of the fiscal year (December 31, 2024). For more information on the NEOs' outstanding equity awards at December 31, 2024 considered for these calculations, refer to the section entitled "- Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End."
Termination Outside of Change in Control Period (Column A)
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Termination During Change in Control Period (Column B)
Retirement (Column C)
Death or Disability (Column D)
96
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
All Other Termination Scenarios
In all other termination scenarios, outstanding RSUs and PSUs would not receive automatic vesting acceleration per the terms of the applicable award agreements.
Impact on Present Value of Accumulated Pension Benefits Payable in Certain Termination Scenarios
The account values payable to the NEOs through the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans are shown in the table in the section entitled "- Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024" above and would not change based on early retirement, death, disability or a change in control of the Company. The value of benefits payable to the NEOs under the Willis Towers Watson Pension Plan and the Towers Watson SERP outlined above may increase (or decrease) in the event of the early retirement, pre-retirement death or disability of the NEO. Benefits do not become payable under the Willis Towers Watson Pension Plan or the Towers Watson SERP as a result of a change in control of the Company. Using the assumptions employed in the table in the section entitled "- Pension Benefits at 2024 Fiscal Year-End" (the "Pension Benefits Table"), the present value of the pension and disability benefit (as applicable) payable to the NEOs as of December 31, 2024 in the event of early retirement, death or disability is shown in the following table.
Total Present Value as of December 31, 2024 in case of: |
|||||||
Name |
Plan |
Early Retirement ($) (1) |
Increase/ (Decrease) from Pension Benefits Table ($) |
Pre- Retirement Death ($) (2) |
Increase/ (Decrease) from Pension Benefits Table ($) |
Disability ($) (3) |
Increase/ (Decrease) from Pension Benefits Table ($) |
Carl Hess |
WTW Pension Plan |
1,848,228 |
(7,086) |
1,595,306 |
(260,008) |
1,749,214 |
(106,100) |
Towers Watson SERP |
3,361,509 |
198,228 |
3,363,096 |
199,815 |
2,771,519 |
(391,762) |
|
Disability |
- |
- |
- |
- |
987,321 |
987,321 |
|
Total |
5,209,737 |
191,142 |
4,958,402 |
(60,193) |
5,508,054 |
489,459 |
|
Andrew Krasner |
WTW Pension Plan |
57,801 |
492 |
61,369 |
4,060 |
356,182 |
298,873 |
Disability |
- |
- |
- |
- |
3,697,200 |
3,697,200 |
|
Total |
57,801 |
492 |
61,369 |
4,060 |
4,053,382 |
3,996,073 |
|
Julie Gebauer |
WTW Pension Plan |
1,823,749 |
6,702 |
1,229,465 |
(587,582) |
1,774,612 |
(42,435) |
Towers Watson SERP |
5,020,443 |
(195,339) |
5,020,443 |
(195,339) |
4,524,212 |
(691,570) |
|
Disability |
- |
- |
- |
- |
988,292 |
988,292 |
|
Total |
6,844,192 |
(188,637) |
6,249,907 |
(782,922) |
7,287,116 |
254,287 |
|
Matthew Furman |
WTW Pension Plan |
168,349 |
1,116 |
175,351 |
8,118 |
421,307 |
254,074 |
Disability |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2,658,203 |
2,658,203 |
|
Total |
168,349 |
1,116 |
175,351 |
8,118 |
3,079,510 |
2,912,277 |
WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY97
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
The Willis Towers Watson Pension Plan benefit attributable to the stable value formulas is assumed payable to the NEOs in the same forms of benefit used in determining benefit obligations under ASC-715 at retirement. 50% of the benefit is assumed payable as a lump sum, 26% of the benefit is assumed to be paid as a 100% joint and survivor annuity, 22% of the benefit is assumed to be paid a single life annuity and 2% of the benefit is assumed to be paid as a 10-year certain and continuous annuity. The assumed forms of payment for the Willis Towers Watson Pension Plan benefit payable to Mr. Hess attributable to the legacy Watson Wyatt formula is 50% as a 100% joint and survivor annuity, 45% as a single life annuity and 5% as a 10-year certain and continuous annuity. The assumed forms of payment for benefits from the Willis Towers Watson Plan benefit attributable to the legacy Towers Perrin formulas payable to Ms. Gebauer is 50% as a lump sum with a residual annuity, 25% as a 100% joint and survivor annuity, 22% as a single life annuity and 3% as a 10-year certain and continuous annuity. The stable value and Legacy Watson Wyatt benefits under the Towers Watson SERP are payable as a lump sum six months after retirement. The Legacy Towers Perrin benefits under the Towers Watson SERP are paid in four approximately equal annual installments beginning six months after retirement. Mr. Hess and Ms. Gebauer are currently eligible for early retirement under the terms of the Willis Towers Watson Pension Plan and the Towers Watson SERP.
For Mr. Hess, the legacy Watson Wyatt qualified formula provides a death benefit to the executive's spouse assuming the executive retired on the date of his death, elected the 100% joint and contingent benefit form and died the next day. The legacy Watson Wyatt formula in the Towers Watson SERP provides a death benefit to the participant's spouse, or the designated beneficiary of an unmarried participant, payable in a lump sum equal to the amount that would have been payable to the participant if the participant had retired on the date of the participant's death. This benefit is provided if the participant is early retirement eligible at death and is available to all plan participants with a legacy Watson Wyatt formula benefit. The death benefit is paid six months after death.
For Ms. Gebauer, the legacy Towers Perrin qualified formula provides a death benefit equal to the greater of her cash balance account through December 31, 2007 and the value of the survivor portion of her final average earnings benefit, plus her cash balance account earned from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2011. The assumed form of payment for the death benefit attributable to the legacy Towers Perrin formulas is 80% as a lump sum and 20% as a single life annuity to the NEO's surviving spouse or beneficiary. The Towers Watson SERP benefit attributable to the legacy Towers Perrin formulas provides benefits payable upon death equal to the amount that would have been received if terminating employment on the date of death. The Towers Watson SERP death benefit is paid in four approximately equal annual installments beginning six months after the date of death.
The decrease in the Towers Watson SERP benefits for Ms. Gebauer is attributable to the use of a higher lump sum rate which is in effect for current terminations than the assumed lump sum rate used when she is assumed to retire for the Pension Benefits Table. The decrease in the Towers Watson SERP benefits for Mr. Hess is attributable to the use of a higher lump sum rate which is in effect for current terminations than the assumed lump sum rate used for when he is assumed to retire for the Pension Benefits Table.
98WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
The change in present value under the Willis Towers Watson Pension Plan is attributable to continued benefit accruals to age 65, offset by the delay in payment until age 65. Decreases in pension values in the Towers Watson SERP are due to the deferral in payment to age 65 and an increase in the lump sum rate used to calculate benefits compared to the rates used in the Pension Benefits Table.
2024 Pay Versus Performance
The following table and supporting narrative contain information regarding "compensation actually paid" to our NEOs and the relationship to company performance.
Pay Versus Performance Table
Year |
Summary |
Compensation |
Summary |
Compensation |
Average |
Average |
Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment on December 31, 2019 Based on: |
Net Loss |
Adjusted Margin (7) |
|
Total |
Peer Group |
|||||||||
2024 |
12,502,090 |
22,045,479 |
N/A |
N/A |
4,474,450 |
5,846,853 |
166 |
169 |
(98) |
23.9% |
2023 |
12,668,832 |
17,266,044 |
N/A |
N/A |
3,186,370 |
3,309,249 |
126 |
137 |
1,055 |
22.0% |
2022 |
10,728,900 |
11,413,081 |
N/A |
N/A |
2,777,755 |
3,077,416 |
126 |
118 |
1,009 |
20.9% |
2021 |
N/A |
N/A |
20,337,292 |
14,552,522 |
3,678,933 |
2,107,221 |
121 |
132 |
4,222 |
19.9% |
2020 |
N/A |
N/A |
20,732,005 |
18,765,840 |
3,993,331 |
3,023,132 |
106 |
107 |
996 |
18.0% |
Notes:
WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY99
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
The only change in the peer group between 2024, 2023 and 2022 and the prior two years is the removal of Nielsen Holdings plc, which ceased trading during the year. As a result of this, it is not possible to calculate TSR for the 2020 and 2021 group in 2022, 2023 and 2024, given no data for Nielsen Holdings plc is available.
Adjustments |
2024 |
|
PEO ($) |
Non-PEO NEO Average ($) |
|
Summary Compensation Table Total |
12,502,090 |
4,474,450 |
Deduction for amount reported in "Share Awards" column of the Summary Compensation Table |
(8,933,289) |
(2,452,688) |
Addition of fair value at fiscal year ("FY") end, of equity awards granted during the FY that remained outstanding (a) |
10,762,696 |
2,451,414 |
Addition of fair value at vesting date, of equity awards granted during the FY that vested during the FY (a) |
N/A |
309,958 |
Addition of change in fair value at FY end versus prior FY end for awards granted in prior FY that remained outstanding (a) |
7,129,266 |
895,439 |
Addition of change in fair value at vesting date versus prior FY end for awards granted in prior FY that vested during the FY (a) |
287,212 |
121,787 |
Addition in respect of any dividends or other earnings paid during applicable FY prior to vesting date of underlying award |
270,132 |
41,425 |
Deduction for values reported in the "Change in Pension Value and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings" column of the Summary Compensation Table |
N/A |
(5,375) |
Addition for the Service Cost attributable to services rendered during the FY (b) |
27,372 |
10,443 |
Compensation Actually Paid |
22,045,479 |
5,846,853 |
100WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Year |
Effective Discount Rate |
Assumed Salary Increase Rate |
2024 |
5.79% |
4.00% |
Compensation Actually Paid Versus Company Performance
The following charts provide a visual depiction of the relationships between "compensation actually paid" to our PEOs, and the average for our non-PEO NEOs, to aspects of WTW's financial performance. As noted above, our PEO in 2020 and 2021 was Mr. Haley, and in 2022, 2023 and 2024 was Mr. Hess. As described in greater detail in the section entitled "Executive Compensation: Compensation Discussion and Analysis," the Company's executive compensation program reflects a pay-for-performance philosophy. The Company generally seeks to incentivize long-term performance and therefore does not specifically align the Company's performance measures with compensation that is actually paid (as computed in accordance with SEC rules) for a particular year. In accordance with SEC rules, the Company is providing the following graphs to illustrate the relationships between information presented in the Pay Versus Performance table. Net Income on a GAAP basis for 2021 included a one-time payment that the Company received as a result of the termination of the proposed Aon plc transaction. Net Loss on a GAAP basis for 2024 primarily includes impairment charges of over $1.0 billion related to the sale of TRANZACT.
Compensation Actually Paid Versus Company and Peer TSR
WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY101
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Compensation Actually Paid Versus GAAP Net Income
Compensation Actually Paid Versus Adjusted Operating Margin
102WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Tabular List of Company Performance Measures
The following table alphabetically lists the measures we believe are most important in linking compensation actually paid to company performance during 2024.
Tabular List of Most Important Measures |
(1)Adjusted EPS |
(2)Adjusted EPS Growth |
(3)Adjusted Net Revenue |
(4)Adjusted Net Revenue Growth |
(5)Adjusted Operating Margin |
(6)Free Cash Flow Margin |
(7)Relative TSR |
CEO Pay Ratio
Under the SEC rules (Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K) adopted pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010, the Company is required to calculate and disclose the total compensation paid to its median paid employee, as well as the ratio of the total compensation paid to the median employee as compared to the total compensation paid to the Company's CEO. The discussion below describes our methodology for how we determined our median employee for 2023. As permitted under the SEC rules, we have used the same median employee for purposes of calculating our CEO pay ratio for 2024.
Determining Our Median Employee
We identified our median employee based on our employees as of December 31, 2023. As is permitted under SEC rules, we used "base pay" as our consistently applied compensation measure. We used actual base pay earned during 2023 for hourly workers and we annualized base pay for those who commenced work during 2023.
The total number of WTW employees as of December 31, 2023 was 48,630. As permitted by SEC rules, we excluded 2,412 non-U.S. employees (representing 4.96% of the total) in 23 jurisdictions, as indicated in the table below. After applying the permitted exclusion, our employee count as of December 31, 2023 was 46,218.
Excluded (4.96% of employees) |
|||
●Argentina (219) |
●Brunei (4) |
●Cameroon (87) |
●Colombia (795) |
●Costa Rica (93) |
●Cote d'Ivoire (147) |
●Egypt (106) |
●El Salvador (87) |
●Ghana (16) |
●Gibraltar (4) |
●Guatemala (113) |
●Honduras (67) |
●Mauritius (31) |
●Nicaragua (21) |
●Nigeria (23) |
●Panama (216) |
●Republic of Congo (45) |
●Senegal (55) |
●Serbia (16) |
●Uganda (14) |
●Ukraine (18) |
●Uruguay (85) |
●Venezuela (150) |
WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY103
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Compensation Tables(continued)
Methodology and Pay Ratio
We then used a valid statistical sampling methodology to determine employees within 5% of the median. From that group, we selected a reasonably representative employee as our median employee.
We then calculated our median employee's total annual compensation including all elements of compensation required to be included in the Summary Compensation Table. Our estimated median employee's Summary Compensation Table total compensation was $48,869. Our CEO's compensation as reported in the Summary Compensation Table was $12,502,090. Therefore, our estimate of CEO pay to median employee pay is 256:1.
We caution shareholders that because the SEC rules allow for companies to adopt various methodologies and exclusions and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their compensation practices to identify the median employee and calculate the CEO pay ratio, the pay ratios reported by other companies generally are not comparable to the pay ratio reported above.
104WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 4: Grantthe Board Authority to Issue Shares under Irish Law
As a matter of Irish company law, the directors of a company may not issue new ordinary or preferred shares unless approved by shareholders. Our current authorization, approved by shareholders at our 2024 AGM will expire on November 21, 2025. We are presenting this Proposal No. 4 to grant the Board authority to issue our authorized shares on the terms set forth below.
It is customary practice for listed companies in Ireland to seek shareholder authority to issue the equivalent of up to 20% of a company's issued ordinary share capital and for such authority to be limited to a period of 12 to 18 months. Therefore, in accordance with customary practice in Ireland, we are seeking approval to authorize the Board to issue the equivalent of up to 19,876,164 ordinary shares (being equivalent to approximately 20% of the Company's issued ordinary share capital as of March 17, 2025 (the latest practicable date before this Proxy Statement)) for a period expiring 18 months from the passing of this resolution, unless otherwise varied, revoked or renewed.
Granting the Board this authority is a routine matter for public companies incorporated in Ireland and is consistent with Irish market practice. This authority is fundamental to our business and, if applicable, will facilitate our ability to fund acquisitions and otherwise raise capital. It is important for the Company to be able to issue shares in order to pursue its growth strategy. We are not asking you to approve an increase in our authorized share capital. Instead, approval of this proposal will only grant the Board the authority to issue shares that are already authorized under our Articles of Association upon the terms below. In addition, we note that, because we are a NASDAQ-listed company, our shareholders continue to benefit from the protections afforded to them under the rules and regulations of NASDAQ and the SEC, including those rules that limit our ability to issue shares in specified circumstances. Furthermore, we note that this authorization is required as a matter of Irish law and is not otherwise required for other companies listed on NASDAQ with whom we compete.
The authority, if granted, would apply to issues of shares and instruments convertible into shares, such as warrants and options. Under Irish law, an ordinary resolution requires the approval of over 50% of the votes of the shareholders cast at a general meeting.
The text of the resolution in respect of this proposal, which is an ordinary resolution, is as follows:
"RESOLVED, that, subject to applicable rules and listing standards of NASDAQ and to applicable rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the directors be and are hereby generally and unconditionally authorized with effect from the passing of this resolution to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot relevant securities (within the meaning of section 1021 of the Companies Act 2014) up to an aggregate nominal amount of $6,054.98 (being equivalent to 19,876,164 ordinary shares or approximately 20% of the aggregate nominal value of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as of March 17, 2025 (the latest practicable date before this Proxy Statement)). The authority conferred by this resolution shall expire 18 months from the passing of this resolution, unless previously renewed, varied or revoked by the Company in general meeting and provided that the Company may before such expiry make an offer or agreement which would or might require relevant securities to be allotted after such expiry and the directors may allot relevant securities in pursuance of such an offer or agreement as if the authority conferred by this resolution had not expired."
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote "FOR" the resolution to grant the Board authority to issue new ordinary or preferred shares for issuances up to 20% of the Company's outstanding share capital.
WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY105
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Proposal No. 5: Grant theBoard Authority to Opt Out of Statutory Pre-emption Rights under Irish Law
Under Irish law, unless otherwise authorized, when an Irish public limited company issues shares for cash to new shareholders, it is required first to offer those shares on the same or more favorable terms to its existing shareholders of the company on a pro-rata basis (commonly referred to as the statutory pre-emption right). As our current authority will expire on November 21, 2025, we are presenting this Proposal No. 5 to grant the Board authority to opt out of the pre-emption right on the terms set forth below.
It is customary practice for listed companies in Ireland to seek shareholder authority to waive (or "opt out of") their statutory pre-emption rights in the event of (i) the issuance of shares for cash in connection with any rights issue; and (ii) the issuance of shares for cash, if the issuance is limited to the equivalent of up to 20% of a company's issued ordinary share capital. In order to preserve the Board's capacity to implement acquisitions and capital-raising activities, we are seeking the full customary 20% authority. It is also customary practice for such waiver (or opt-out) to be limited to a period of 12 to 18 months. Therefore, in accordance with customary practice for listed companies in Ireland, we are seeking this authority for a period expiring 18 months from the passing of this resolution, unless otherwise varied, renewed or revoked.
Similar to the authorization sought for Proposal No. 4, granting the Board this authority is a routine matter for public companies incorporated in Ireland and is consistent with Irish market practice. This authority is fundamental to our business and, if applicable, will facilitate our ability to fund acquisitions and otherwise raise capital. We are not asking you to approve an increase in our authorized share capital. Instead, approval of this proposal will only grant the Board the authority to issue shares in the manner originally permitted under our Articles of Association upon the terms below. Without this authorization, in each case where we issue shares for cash, we would first have to offer those shares on the same or more favorable terms to all of our existing shareholders. This requirement could cause delays in the completion of acquisitions and capital raising for our business. Granting this authority would not exempt the Company from applicable NASDAQ requirements to obtain shareholder approval prior to certain share issuances, generally at or greater than 20%.
As required under Irish law, the resolution is a special resolution that requires the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the votes cast.
The text of the resolution in respect of this proposal is as follows:
"RESOLVED, that, as a special resolution, subject to the passing of the resolution in respect of Proposal No. 4 as set out above and with effect from the passing of this resolution, the directors be and are hereby empowered pursuant to section 1023 of the Companies Act 2014 to allot equity securities (as defined in section 1023 of that Act) for cash, pursuant to the authority conferred by Proposal No. 4as if sub-section (1) of section 1022 of that Act did not apply to any such allotment, provided that this power shall be limited to:
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote "FOR" the resolution to grant the Board authority to opt out of statutory pre-emption rights under Irish law.
106WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
AdditionalInformation
Security Ownership of CertainBeneficial Owners and Management
The following tables show the number of shares beneficially owned as of March 17, 2025, unless otherwise indicated:
The amounts and percentages of our shares beneficially owned are calculated in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Under these rules, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of that security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of that security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days following March 17, 2025 (i.e., May 16, 2025).
5% Beneficial Owners
Name and Address |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned |
Percent Beneficially Owned (1) |
The Vanguard Group (2) 100 Vanguard Blvd. Malvern, PA 19355 |
11,617,466 |
11.69% |
BlackRock, Inc. (3) 50 Hudson Yards New York, NY10001 |
10,399,659 |
10.46% |
Massachusetts Financial Services Company (4) 111 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02199 |
6,483,822 |
6.52% |
107WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Additional Information(continued)
Directors, Director Nominees, Named Executive Officers and Other Executive Officers
Name and Address (1) |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned (2) |
Percent Beneficially Owned |
Dame Inga Beale (3) |
1,966 |
* |
Fumbi Chima (3) |
2,965 |
* |
Stephen Chipman (3) |
1,390 |
* |
Michael Hammond (3) |
1,966 |
* |
Carl Hess (4) |
103,514 |
* |
Jacqueline Hunt (3) |
1,390 |
* |
Paul Reilly (3) (5) |
1,751 |
* |
Michelle Swanback (3) |
1,966 |
* |
Paul Thomas (3) |
13,643 |
* |
Fredric Tomczyk (3) |
1,390 |
* |
Lucy Clarke |
2,732 |
|
Matthew Furman (6) |
36,461 |
* |
Adam Garrard (7) |
7,365 |
* |
Julie Gebauer (8) |
72,366 |
* |
Andrew Krasner (9) |
17,287 |
* |
All of our Current Directors, Director Nominees, NEOs and Other Executive Officers (20 persons) (10) |
317,228 |
* |
* Less than 1%.
108WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Additional Information(continued)
Incorporationby Reference
To the extent that this Proxy Statement has been or will be specifically incorporated by reference into any other filing by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the sections of this Proxy Statement entitled "Human Capital and Compensation Committee Report" and "Audit Committee Report," to the extent permitted by SEC rules shall not be deemed to be so incorporated, unless specifically otherwise provided in such filing.
Information about the ProxyMaterials and the 2025 AGM
Why am I receiving these materials?
We are making this Proxy Statement available to you on or around March 28, 2025 because the Board is soliciting your proxy to vote at Willis Towers Watson's 2025 AGM to be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 8:00 am IST. The information provided in this Proxy Statement is for your use in deciding how to vote on the proposals described herein.
This Proxy Statement and the below documents are available atwww.proxyvote.comand on the Company's website atwww.wtwco.com. You may access the proxy materials and voting instructions via the Internet by following the instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability.
You have the right to request paper copies of the proxy materials, free of charge, regardless of whether you are a record or beneficial owner of shares. Shareholders of record may request paper copies by contacting the Company Secretary or by following the instructions contained in the notice. If you hold shares through brokers, banks or other nominees, you should receive written instructions on how to request paper copies of the proxy materials if you so desire. We recommend that you contact your broker, bank or other nominee if you do not receive these instructions along with the Company's proxy materials.
Why are there two sets of financial statements covering the same period?
Under applicable U.S. securities laws, we are required to send to you our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Under Irish company law, we are also required to provide you with our Irish Statutory Accounts for the year ended December 31, 2024, including the reports of our directors and auditors thereon, which accounts have been prepared in accordance with Irish law. Both sets of financial statements are available atwww.proxyvote.comand on the Company's website atwww.wtwco.comand, if you request, a copy will be delivered to you. The Irish Statutory Accounts will also be presented at the 2025 AGM.
Does the Company "household" delivery of proxy materials?
Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of "householding" proxy materials for those shareholders receiving the proxy materials by mail. This means that only one copy of the proxy materials may have been sent to multiple shareholders in your household. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of the proxy materials to you if you send a request to the Company Secretary at corporatesecretary@wtwco.com. If you would like to receive separate copies of the proxy materials in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy for your household, you should contact your bank, broker or other nominee record holder, or you may contact the Company Secretary at (212) 915-8888 or corporatesecretary@wtwco.com.
WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY109
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Additional Information(continued)
Who is entitled to vote?
Holders of our shares, as recorded in our share register on March 17, 2025, may vote at the meeting. As of March 17, 2025, the record date, there were 99,380,821 shares outstanding and entitled to vote. Holders are entitled to one vote per share.
How do proxies work?
The Company's Board is asking for your proxy. Giving us your proxy means you authorize us to vote your shares at the meeting, or at any postponement or adjournment of the meeting, in the manner you direct. You may vote for or against the proposals or abstain from voting. You may also vote for all, some or none of the directors seeking election.
If you sign and retuthe enclosed proxy card but do not specify how to vote, we will vote your shares for all proposals in accordance with the recommendations made by the Board.
If your shares are held in an account with a broker, bank or other nominee, this institution is considered the shareholder of record and you are considered the "beneficial shareholder" of those shares. In this case, your broker or bank (or its agent) or other nominee has forwarded the proxy materials and separate voting instructions to you. Because you are not the shareholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the AGM unless you obtain a valid proxy from the broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares, giving you the right to vote the shares in person at the meeting. As the beneficial owner of the shares, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other nominee how to vote your shares by following the voting instructions provided to you with the proxy materials.
Under relevant NASDAQ rules, if you do not instruct your broker how to vote, your broker will only be able to vote your shares with respect to "routine" matters. The only routine matters are the ratification of the appointment of the Company's independent auditors (Proposal No. 2) and, under Irish law, granting the Board authority to issue shares (Proposal No. 4) and to opt out of statutory pre-emption rights (Proposal No. 5). Broker discretionary voting is not permitted for any of the other proposals because they are "non-routine" matters.
As of the date hereof, we do not know of any other business that will be presented at the meeting. If other business shall properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, your proxy gives the person or persons named in the proxy the authority to vote on the matter in accordance with the recommendation of our Board.
How do I vote?
We recommend that you vote in advance of the AGM even if you expect to attend in person.
If you are a registered shareholder (i.e., a shareholder who holds shares directly with our transfer agent, Computershare), you can vote through the following ways:
If you are a beneficial shareholder (i.e., your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, sometimes referred to as holding shares "in street name"), you will receive instructions from the holder of record that you must follow in order to vote your shares. If you wish to vote in person at the AGM, you must obtain a legal proxy from the
110WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Additional Information(continued)
bank, broker or other holder of record that holds your shares, and bring it, or other evidence of share ownership, with you to the meeting. For further information on how to attend the AGM, please see "What do I need in order to be admitted to the AGM?" below.
We encourage our shareholders to vote by proxy prior to 4:59 a.m. IST on May 15, 2025. With respect to shares held through a Company employee share plan, shareholders must vote by proxy prior to 4:59 a.m. IST on May 11, 2025. Shareholders who are unable to attend the AGM, but would like to ask questions they would have otherwise asked, are encouraged to reach out through other ordinary course channels, including reaching out to the Head of Investor Relations or the Company Secretary.
If I vote and then want to change or revoke my vote, may I?
If you are a registered shareholder (i.e., a shareholder who holds shares directly with our transfer agent, Computershare), you may revoke your proxy at any time before the meeting by submitting a new proxy with a later date, by a later telephone or Internet vote, by voting in person at the meeting, or by notifying our Company Secretary. Mere attendance at the meeting will not revoke a proxy which was previously submitted to the Company. Written revocations to the Company Secretary should be received by 4:59 a.m. IST on May 15, 2025 and should be directed to corporatesecretary@wtwco.com.
If you are a beneficial shareholder (i.e., your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, sometimes referred to as holding shares "in street name"), follow the voting instructions provided to you with this Proxy Statement to determine how you may change your vote. Executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, attorneys and other representatives should indicate the capacity in which they are signing and corporations should sign by an authorized officer whose title should be indicated.
What do I need in order to be admitted to the AGM?
Only the Company's shareholders, their proxy holders, the Company's directors, the Company's auditors and the Company's guests may attend the meeting.
All shareholders of record on March 17, 2025 may attend the 2025 AGM in person even if such shareholders have already submitted a proxy. For admission to the meeting, shareholders of record must bring proof of identification and address. Those who have beneficial ownership of shares held by a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee should bring account statements or letters from their banks, brokers or other nominee showing that they owned Willis Towers Watson shares as of March 17, 2025.
The AGM will be held at Carton House, Carton Demesne, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, W23 TD98, Ireland on May 15, 2025. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. IST and the meeting will begin at 8:00 a.m. IST.
What is the recommendation of the Board on each proposal scheduled to be voted on at the meeting? How do the Board and executive officers intend to vote with respect to the agenda items?
The Company's Board recommends that you vote FOR each of the proposals scheduled to be voted on at the meeting and our directors and executive officers have indicated that they intend to vote their shares in accordance with the Board's recommendations.
Who is paying the costs of soliciting this proxy?
The cost of this proxy solicitation is borne directly by the Company. Morrow Sodali LLC has been retained to assist in the proxy solicitation at a base fee of approximately $17,000 plus expenses. In addition to solicitation of proxies by mail, proxies may be solicited personally, by telephone, by e-mail and by facsimile by the Company's directors, officers and other employees. Such persons will receive no additional compensation for such services. The Company will also request
WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY111
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Additional Information(continued)
that brokers and other nominees forward soliciting material to the beneficial owners of shares which are held of record by them, and will pay the necessary expenses.
What is the quorum required for the AGM?
In order to carry on the business of the meeting, we must have a quorum. Under our Articles of Association, a quorum is reached when shareholders holding at least 50% of our issued and outstanding shares are present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote.
What vote is required for approval of each proposal and what is the effect of broker non-votes and abstentions?
The voting standards applicable to the 2025 AGM are as follows:
Proposal |
Vote Requirement |
|
1. |
Elect Nine Persons Named in the Accompanying Proxy Statement to Serve as Directors for a One-Year Term until the Next AGM |
Majority of votes cast |
2. |
Ratify the Appointment of the Independent Auditors in an Advisory (Non-binding) Vote and Fix the Independent Auditors' Remuneration in a Binding Vote |
Majority of votes cast |
3. |
Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation in an Advisory (Non-binding) Vote |
Majority of votes cast |
4. |
Grant the Board Authority to Issue Shares under Irish Law |
Majority of votes cast |
5. |
Grant the Board Authority to Opt Out of Statutory Pre-emption Right under Irish Law |
75% of the votes cast |
Abstentions and broker non-votes, though counted for the purposes of determining that a quorum is present, will not be counted as votes cast and therefore will have no effect. A broker non-vote is a proxy submitted by a broker where the broker fails to vote on behalf of a client on a particular matter because the broker was not instructed by the beneficial owner when such instruction is required by NASDAQ with respect to such matter.
Who will count the votes and certify the results?
American Election Services has been appointed as the independent Inspector of Election and will count the votes, determine whether a quorum is present, evaluate the validity of proxies and ballots and certify the results of the voting.
Who is your transfer agent?
Our transfer agent is Computershare. All communications concerning accounts of shareholders of record, including address changes, name changes, inquiries as to requirements to transfer shares and similar issues, can be handled by calling toll-free (800) 522-6645 (U.S.) or (201) 680-6578 (outside the U.S.) or by accessing the website atwww.computershare.com/investor.
112WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Shareholder and OtherProposals for the 2026 AGM
Deadline for nominations for election to the Board under the Company's advance notice or proxy access provision: |
Between October 29, 2025 and November 28, 2025 |
Deadline for shareholder proposals under Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act for inclusion in the Proxy Statement: |
November 28, 2025 |
Date beyond which the Company is able to confer discretionary authority to vote on shareholder proposals outside of Rule 14a-8 on its appointees: |
February 11, 2026 |
When a shareholder wants to nominate a person for election to the Board at the Company's Annual General Meeting, the shareholder must provide advance notice to the Company in accordance with our Articles of Association. Notice of shareholder nominations for election at the 2026 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (whether to be included or not in the Company's proxy materials for the meeting) must be received by the Company Secretary no earlier than October 29, 2025 and no later than November 28, 2025. Shareholders should consult our Articles of Association for the various procedural, informational and other requirements applicable to such nominations.
A copy of the Company's Memorandum and Articles of Association can be obtained from the Company Secretary on request or can be found in the "Investor Relations - Corporate Governance" section of our website atwww.wtwco.com. A shareholder may also propose an individual to the Governance Committee for its consideration as a nominee for election to the Board by writing to the Company Secretary at corporatesecretary@wtwco.com.
The Governance Committee will consider the shareholder's nominee proposal in accordance with the selection process and specific qualification standards as set out in the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines.
Shareholders who wish to present a proposal under Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and have it considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy materials for the 2026 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders must submit such proposal in writing to the Secretary of the Company on or before November 28, 2025.
Shareholders who wish to present a proposal at the 2026 Annual General Meeting that has not been included in the Company's proxy materials must submit such proposal (other than a nomination for election discussed above) in writing to the Company Secretary. If such notice is received by the Secretary on or after February 11, 2026, SEC rules permit the Company to confer discretionary authority to vote on such proposals on persons appointed as proxies on behalf of the Company.
The Company's Articles of Association and the 2014 Act contain further requirements relating to the timing and content of the notice which shareholders must provide to the Company for any nomination or matter to be properly presented at a shareholders' meeting.
WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY113
2024 YEAR-END PROXY STATEMENT |
Disclaimer RegardingForward-Looking Statements
We have included in this document 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by those laws. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our operations or certain considerations relating to our future results. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future, including such things as: our outlook; the potential impact of natural or man-made disasters like health pandemics and other world health crises; future capital expenditures; ongoing working capital efforts; future share repurchases; financial results (including our revenue, costs or margins) and the impact of changes to tax laws on our financial results; existing and evolving business strategies; our ability to execute strategic transactions, including both acquisitions and dispositions, including our ability to receive adequate consideration or any earnout proceeds in retufor any dispositions or integrate or manage acquired businesses or effect internal reorganizations; incremental risks relating to the transitional arrangements in effect subsequent to our previously-completed sale of TRANZACT; demand for our services and competitive strengths; strategic goals; the benefits of new initiatives; growth of our business and operations; the sustained health of our product, service, transaction, client, and talent assessment and management pipelines; our ability to successfully manage ongoing leadership, organizational and technology changes, including investments in improving systems and processes; our recognition of future impairment charges; and plans and references to future successes, including our future financial and operating results, short-term and long-term financial goals, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, including with respect to free cash flow generation, adjusted net income, adjusted operating margin and adjusted earnings per share, are forward-looking statements. Also, when we use words such as 'may', 'will', 'would', 'anticipate', 'believe', 'estimate', 'expect', 'intend', 'plan', 'continues', 'seek', 'target', 'goal', 'focus', 'probably', or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking disclosure is speculative by its nature.
A number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results reflected in these forward-looking statements are identified under 'Risk Factors' in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and updated subsequent filings with the SEC. These statements are based on assumptions that may not come true and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties.
Although we believe that the assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of these assumptions, and therefore also the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions, could themselves prove to be inaccurate. Given the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements, our inclusion of this information is not a representation or guarantee by us that our objectives and plans will be achieved.
Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and we will not update these forward-looking statements unless the securities laws require us to do so. With regard to these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this document may not occur, and we caution you against unduly relying on these forward-looking statements.
114WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY C/O PROXY SERVICES P.O. BOX 9142 FARMINGDALE, NY 11735 SCAN TO VIEW MATERIALS & VOTE VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 4:59 a.m. IST on May 15, 2025, or until 4:59 a.m. IST on May 11, 2025 with respect to shares held through a Company employee share plan. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the website and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 4:59 a.m. IST on May 15, 2025, or until 4:59 a.m. IST on May 11, 2025 with respect to shares held through a Company employee share plan. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and retuit in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or retuit to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: V67901-P26232 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals: For Against Abstain 1. Elect directors. 1a. Dame Inga Beale 1b. Fumbi Chima 1c. Stephen Chipman 1d. Michael Hammond 1e. Carl Hess 1f. Jacqueline Hunt 1g. Paul Reilly 1h. Michelle Swanback 1i. Fredric Tomczyk 2. Ratify, on an advisory basis, the appointment of (i) Deloitte & Touche LLP to audit our financial statements and (ii) Deloitte Ireland LLP to audit our Irish Statutory Accounts, and authorize, in a binding vote, the Board, acting through the Audit Committee, to fix the independent auditors' remuneration. For Against Abstain 3. Approve, on an advisory basis, the named executive officer compensation. 4. Grant the Board authority to issue shares under Irish law. 5. Grant the Board authority to opt out of statutory pre-emption rights under Irish law. NOTE: In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual General Meeting: The Annual Report on Form 10-K, Notice and Proxy Statement and Irish Statutory Accounts are available at www.proxyvote.com. V67902-P26232 PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY FOR THE 2025 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS ON MAY 15, 2025 The undersigned being a shareholder of Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (the "Company") hereby appoints Mr. Paul Thomas and, if Mr. Paul Thomas is not present, any member of the Board of Directors (the "Board") and, if a member of the Board is not present, any member of senior management of the Company nominated by the Board, with full power of substitution, for and in the name of the undersigned, to vote all ordinary shares, nominal value U.S. $0.000304635 per share, of the Company, that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, to be held in Maynooth, Ireland and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, upon the matters described in the Notice of the 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, subject to any direction indicated on the reverse side of this card and upon any other business that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof, hereby revoking any proxy heretofore executed by the undersigned to vote at said meeting. THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOARD'S RECOMMENDATIONS. Continued and to be signed on reverse side
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Willis Towers Watson plc published this content on March 28, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via EDGAR, the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system operated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission,, unedited and unaltered, on March 28, 2025 at 20:51 UTC.
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