Willis Group Holdings PLC : Willis Launches Educational Programme for UK Insurance Buyers

Willis Launches Educational Programme for UK Insurance Buyers

Willis Client Academy to Help Businesses Better Manage Risk

London, UK, January 11, 2012 - In response to last year's Mactavish research findings that firms have an insufficient understanding of insurance law and the obligations this imposes on them, Willis UK & Ireland, a unit of Willis Group Holdings (NYSE: WSH), the global insurance broker, have launched the Willis Client Academy, a series of free training workshops aimed at supporting insurance buyers across the UK.

The Mactavish Corporate Risk and Research Report, released in March 2011, identified serious deficiencies in the insurance placement process for firms, with economic pressures placing the emphasis on cost reductions in insurance programmes rather than ensuring effective management of risk. With the economic environment set to remain volatile throughout 2012, Willis recognises the need to support insurance buyers in making better informed choices on behalf of their organisations.

With the aim of helping companies save unnecessary time and revenue loss, the Willis Client Academy will help insurance buyers in all business sectors develop confidence and expertise in the key areas of risk and insurance. Courses will also focus on specific areas of risk, such as Cyber, Directors' & Officers' Liability and Professional Indemnity and practical applications such as Business Continuity Planning.

The 2012 programme kicks off on 10th February with courses running at least once a quarter at various locations across the UK.

Dan Wilkinson, CEO of Willis UK & Ireland, said, "The Willis Client Academy demonstrates our commitment to providing real help to businesses in these challenging economic times. Our partnership with our clients is one based on knowledge transfer and education, not solely around the purchase of insurance. With growth prospects faltering, businesses need to focus on their core strategies and be safe in the knowledge that they have adequate insurance coverage in place. Education is key to enabling insurance buyers make the right decisions for their businesses."

Sue Newton, who heads up the Academy said, "We piloted these courses last year and received excellent feedback from attendees, which we have taken into account in designing this year's programme. We are delighted to be rolling this educational initiative out on a larger scale across the UK and Northern Ireland in 2012."

Willis Group Holdings plc is a leading global insurance broker. Through its subsidiaries, Willis develops and delivers professional insurance, reinsurance, risk management, financial and human resource consulting and actuarial services to corporations, public entities and institutions around the world. Willis has more than 400 offices in nearly 120 countries, with a global team of approximately 17,000 employees serving clients in virtually every part of the world. Additional information on Willis may be found at .

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