’He is one of the most experienced, entrepreneurial, driven and technologically astute people in our industry,’ says board member
Willis Re has appointed Neil Eckert as chief executive as the specialist reinsurance broker looks to accelerate growth across its global broking and advisory operations.
Eckert will lead the firm’s global strategy and work alongside its leadership team to drive expansion across its reinsurance platforms. He will join Willis Re following the completion of his existing contractual commitments.
The appointment brings to the broker one of the best-known figures in the global reinsurance market, with more than 40 years of experience spanning broking, underwriting, capital markets and technology.
Eckert said: “I am delighted to be joining Willis Re at such an important moment for the business.
”Having spent my career on both the broking and capital sides of this industry, I understand what clients and markets need from a broker – technical excellence, capital insight and the imagination to apply technology to genuinely improve outcomes. I look forward to working with the team to build on Willis Re’s momentum and to deliver for our clients, colleagues and shareholders.”
Experience
Eckert joins from Bermuda-based reinsurer Conduit Re, which he co-founded in 2020. He became chief executive of the business in 2025 after previously serving as executive chairman.
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His career began in reinsurance broking at Benfield, where he became a board member in 1988. He later founded Benfield and Rea Investment Trust, which evolved into Brit Insurance Holdings, serving as its founding chief executive until 2005.
Lucy Clarke, board member at Willis Re, said: “It is such a privilege to have Eckert joining as chief executive at Willis Re. He is one of the most experienced, entrepreneurial, driven and technologically astute people in our industry. His career is grounded in the reinsurance industry, but also spans insurance broking, capital, technology and climate ventures, as well as founding and scaling businesses across public markets and private ventures.
”That breadth of perspective is exactly what our clients and trading partners need as the market continues to evolve. Eckert has built and led businesses across the full reinsurance value chain and I know his leadership will sharpen our proposition and accelerate our growth ambitions.”
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