SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Willis Group Holdings plc (NYSE:WSH), the global insurance broker, announced today that effective immediately, Scott Pickering, President of Willis’ Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa operations will assume the additional role of Chairman, Willis Australasia.
Pieter Lindhout will take over the role of CEO, Willis Australasia in October. Lindhout replaces Bill Donovan, former CEO of Willis Australasia, who is returning to New Zealand to take up a new role at an insurer.
Lindhout, most recently the Managing Director of GE Capital – Insurance, has held several senior leadership positions in Australasia, including CEO of Tower Insurance, Managing Director of AMP General Insurance, General Manager of The Spencer Partnership and Operations Manager of Medical Benefits Funds (MBF).
Pickering joined Willis in 2010 after working for RSA Insurance as Regional CEO for Asia and Middle East, based in Dubai for two and a half years. Before that he held a series of senior leadership roles at ACE Insurance in South Africa and the Asia Pacific.
Lindhout and Pickering will report to Roger Wilkinson, Chairman & CEO, Willis Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa.
Commenting on the new appointments, Wilkinson said, “Australasia is a very important region for Willis and the calibre of these appointments demonstrates our commitment and desire to succeed. Scott has over 22 years of insurance experience in the Australasia region and beyond. Pieter comes to Willis with a proven track record of delivering growth and shareholder value and has exceptional leadership credentials. I am confident that together with Scott, he will drive even greater growth for Willis in the local market and align that growth with our broader Asia Pacific strategy.”
Willis Australasia, comprising operations in Australia and New Zealand, forms part of the Asia Pacific region under Willis International. Across Australasia, there are over 400 associates in nine locations including: Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart in Australia; and Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington in New Zealand.
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 associates serving clients in virtually every part of the world. Additional information on Willis may be found at www.willis.com.