Willis Towers Watson Strengthens North America Broking Platform With Key Appointments

ARLINGTON, Virginia, April 24 -- Towers Watson, an advisory, broking and solutions company, issued the following news release:

Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WLTW), a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company, today announced three senior appointments within its Corporate Risk and Broking segment to strengthen its broking platform. These appointments are part of the company's ongoing investment in its dedicated broking centers, which feature specialized teams using proprietary analytics to design structured insurance programs, while providing access to global insurance market capacity for clients, irrespective of location.

Jim O'Connor has been appointed head of Specialties Broking, North America, a newly created position that he assumes in addition to his current role as head of Middle Market Broking, which he has held since 2017. In this new role, he will be responsible for the business's specialty insurance coverage placements, including environmental, life sciences and health care, across all segments. O'Connor, a 30-year veteran of the insurance industry, joined Willis Towers Watson in 2006. Based in Atlanta, he reports to Joe Peiser, head of Broking, North America.

Jon Drummond has been appointed head of Casualty Broking, North America. He will be responsible for leading the business's casualty brokerage offerings to national and multinational clients, as well as organizations with complex risks. Drummond will oversee Willis Towers Watson's casualty broking centers, featuring teams of casualty brokerage professionals who focus on the design, negotiation and implementation of complex casualty insurance programs, with an aim toward helping clients minimize casualty total cost of risk (TCOR). Drummond is a 14-year industry veteran; he joined Willis Towers Watson in 2014 and previously served as a national casualty broker. Based in Chicago, he also reports to Joe Peiser.

Amelia Valz has been appointed North American Construction Professional Liability Broking leader. She will oversee a dedicated broking team specializing in the placement of professional liability risk for construction clients, including project owners, contractors, architects and engineers. Valz brings over 15 years of experience as a dedicated construction insurance professional and joins Willis Towers Watson from XL Catlin, where she served as underwriting director - construction performance risk. Based in Dallas, TX, she reports to Kelly Kinzer, North American Construction Specialities Broking leader.

"Now more than ever, organizations need highly specialized broking expertise to navigate the global insurance marketplace on their behalf," said Joe Peiser. "Willis Towers Watson, with our unparalleled market knowledge, stands ready to deliver optimal risk transfer solutions, underpinned by data and analytics," he added.

About Willis Towers Watson

Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WLTW) is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps clients around the world turn risk into a path for growth. With roots dating to 1828, Willis Towers Watson has over 40,000 employees serving more than 140 countries. We design and deliver solutions that manage risk, optimize benefits, cultivate talent, and expand the power of capital to protect and strengthen institutions and individuals. Our unique perspective allows us to see the critical intersections between talent, assets and ideas -- the dynamic formula that drives business performance. Together, we unlock potential. Learn more at willistowerswatson.com.