UK retail chief executive David Martin to lead the newly combined business

Willis Group Holdings has announced that it is combining its global specialty insurance business with its UK retail business.

UK retail chief executive David Martin will lead the newly combined business and will report to the group’s deputy chief executive Steve Hearn.

Hearn said the decision to “better connect” Willis’s concentration of specialty expertise in the London market with its retail client servicing capabilities of Willis UK will greatly enhance its client proposition.

“The UK-based business will continue to serve our clients globally and these changes will also ensure we deliver the best of our global expertise and capabilities within this key market and beyond,” he said.

Martin said the move will enable the broker to be more responsive to the demands of corporate clients, and grow its market share, both in the UK and worldwide.

“The strength of our specialist global broking and product capabilities in London is a source of great pride and something we intend to develop further for the benefit of all Willis clients,” he added.