OREANDA-NEWS. December 21, 2015. Willis Group Holdings plc (NYSE:WSH), the global risk advisory, re/insurance broking, and human capital and benefits firm, today announced the opening of its Operational Center of Excellence in Tampa, FL.  Establishing the Center is part of Willis’s strategy to deliver outstanding client service via a robust technology and operational platform.

Willis has deep roots in Florida where it places employee benefits and complex property/casualty insurance programs for many of the State’s large corporate and middle market businesses.  Willis currently operates eight retail insurance brokerage offices in Florida, including its existing Tampa office.  The new Tampa location expands the brokers’ regional presence and will serve as a dedicated support center for Willis’s North America business.  Teams of insurance professionals will utilize the latest in cutting edge client facing technology, insurance accounting, policy and claim management systems and analytical tools.  The new hub will bring at least 157 new jobs to Tampa Bay by 2017.

State and local officials joined Willis for an official opening reception today.

Governor Scott said, “We are excited to announce the creation of 157 jobs for families in Tampa. Willis Group Holdings could have chosen any location for their new Operational Center of Excellence, but they knew that Florida was the best place to grow their business and create new jobs.”

Willis’s \\$9.05 million capital investment demonstrates its commitment to Tampa and the Florida marketplace and supports the broker’s broader strategy to grow its business and transform its service delivery with enhanced operational systems and investments in infrastructure, technology platforms, data and analytical tools.  In addition, the state-of-the art facility offers employees a modern work space to drive innovation and collaboration. 

“We are thrilled to establish Willis’s Operational Center of Excellence in Tampa and take another exciting step in transforming our business.  The Tampa market offers a significant opportunity for Willis with its growing financial and professional services industry, vibrant economy, strong workforce and proximity to large cities. It’s also home to a large insurance community from which to draw talent,” said

Jeff Elliott, Director of Operations, Willis North America.

Eric Joost, Chief Operating Officer Willis North America said, “As global risk advisors we are committed to helping organizations protect their people, property and business assets.  In today’s environment, this demands more than ever a strong and seamless client service and operational platform to optimize results.  We look forward to building on our world class client service capabilities through the Operational Center of Excellence.”

The Center is made possible through a joint partnership between Enterprise Florida, the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Willis’s Operational Center of Excellence is located at 3407 West Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in Tampa.  Interested candidates are encouraged to visit www.willis.com/Careers/ for more information about available positions.