Willis opens in Kazakhstan

Willis has received official approval from authorities to open a representative office in Kazakhstan, the third office Willis has opened in the former Soviet Union, in addition to branches in Russia and the Ukraine.

Simon Aubrey-Jones, executive director, Willis Eastern Europe, will lead its Kazakh venture. Aubrey-Jones, who is based in London, has extensive knowledge of the region and has been involved with Willis’ Russian and Ukrainian representative offices since their establishment in the 1990s.

The new Willis operation is located in Almaty, the financial centre of Kazakhstan. All local contracts and policies will be issued through Willis’ existing network partner in the country, CIS Risk Consultants, a Kazakh brokerage that provides a full range of insurance services.

International support

In addition to commercial insurance, the new Willis office will support both domestic and international clients with reinsurance solutions delivered through the local insurance market and relying on Willis’ global placement capabilities.

Willis was appointed by Halyk-Kazakhinstrakh AO, a local provider of insurance services, to arrange reinsurance for two subsidiaries of Kazakhstan’s state-owned oil and gas company: KazMunaiGas Exploration and Production and Trade House, its sales operation.

“Formalising Willis’ representation in Kazakhstan underscores Willis’ commitment to this country and its future growth and development,” said Aubrey-Jones.

“We are confident that our investment in Kazakhstan, an area so rich in natural resources, will yield many rewards and we look forward to becoming a leading player in its insurance and reinsurance industry.”