OREANDA-NEWS. Willis Group Holdings (NYSE:WSH), the global risk advisory, re/insurance broking and human capital and benefits firm, has appointed Nicolas Aubert as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Willis Limited, the Willis Group’s principal UK regulated entity. The appointment, which has received regulatory approval from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), takes effect immediately.

As CEO of Willis Ltd, Aubert takes over responsibility for all leadership, governance and regulatory matters for the regulated entity, which consists primarily of Willis Group’s insurance and reinsurance businesses in the UK. He continues in his role as CEO of Willis GB, the operating segment that includes Willis's retail insurance business in Great Britain, facultative and London specialty businesses. Willis Re also continues with its own management structure but with board oversight in the UK from Willis Ltd.

In January, Aubert joined Willis as CEO of Willis GB. Prior to joining Willis he was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of American International Group (AIG) in Europe, Middle East and Africa, and formerly Managing Director of AIG in the UK. After joining AIG in June 2002 to lead AIG France, Aubert served in various other senior management positions, including Managing Director of Southern Europe, where he oversaw operations in 12 countries.

Commenting on the appointment, Rodney Baker-Bates, Chairman of Willis Ltd, said: "Nicolas is a widely recognised and highly regarded leader in our industry and his wealth of experience in the UK and abroad, combined with his strong knowledge of the market and the evolving needs of clients make him the ideal candidate to lead Willis Group’s largest UK regulated entity. I look forward to working closely with him in his new role."

Willis Group CEO, Dominic Casserley, added: “Nicolas’ extensive knowledge of commercial insurance markets in the UK and his wider international experience makes him the ideal choice to lead Willis Limited, with a special focus on matching client needs with Willis’s world-class risk advisory, re/insurance broking and human capital and benefits expertise.”

Aubert said: “Since 1828, Willis has helped many thousands of companies across the globe determine the best way to manage risk. But the world we live and operate in continues to pose new risks. The key to Willis’s success is our ability to bring together our deep industry expertise with our specialist risk and broking capabilities. I am looking forward to further developing that capability within Willis Limited for the benefit of our clients globally.”