• Joseph J. Plumeri
  • Donald J. Bailey
  • Adam G. Ciongoli
  • Peter Hearn
  • David B. Margrett
  • Grahame J. Millwater
  • Susan Gunn
  • Sarah J. Turvill
  • Tim Wright

Executive Officers Of Willis Group Holdings plc

Joseph J. Plumeri

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Willis Group Holdings plc

Joe Plumeri is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Willis Group Holdings plc. Under his leadership, Willis has strengthened its position as one of the world’s leading insurance brokers through sector-leading organic growth and operating margins, strategic expansion, and a dedication to transparency and passionate client service. Appointed in October 2000 when Willis was privately owned by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Joe successfully returned the company to public ownership in 2001. In 2008, he spearheaded the $2.1 billion acquisition of Hilb Rogal & Hobbs (HRH), the largest insurance brokerage deal in the last decade.

During his tenure, Joe has cultivated a “One Flag” culture of teamwork centered on the Client Advocate® service model and Glocal service – the ability to deliver the full breadth of Willis’ global resources and expertise through some 400 local offices across 190 countries. Those offices include The Willis Building in London, opened in 2008 opposite Lloyd’s, and Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower, renamed in 2009) in Chicago, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

Joe has been a leader in the insurance industry in an era of unprecedented scrutiny and change. During this time, he has pressed for greater transparency, client service and innovation at Willis and throughout the industry. In 2004, Willis became the first – and only – insurance broker to abolish the practice of accepting contingent commissions for retail clients and the first to establish a Client Bill of Rights. In recognition of his efforts to drive positive change, St. John’s University School of Risk Management named him 2006 Insurance Leader of the Year.

Prior to joining Willis, Joe enjoyed a 32-year career at Citigroup and its predecessor companies. As CEO of Citibank North America, he led the integration of the consumer businesses at Citicorp and Travelers Group. Joe also served as Chairman and CEO of Travelers Primerica Financial Services, Vice Chairman of the Travelers Group, and President and Managing Partner of Shearson Lehman Brothers.

An active and committed community leader, Joe has been honored by numerous civic and philanthropic organizations, including the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation in 2009 for his personal philanthropy and positive impact on the reputation of the insurance industry, and by the Jackie Robinson Foundation in 2010 for his motivational leadership style and pursuit of excellence. He also has been honored by the Sons of Italy Foundation, the Intrepid Foundation, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation, among others.

Joe currently serves on the boards of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, Mount Sinai Medical Center, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and American Friends of the Churchill Museum in London. A sports fan and lifelong athlete, Joe was a Commissioner of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority from 1997 to 2004. He also is co-owner of two New Jersey minor league baseball teams – the Trenton Thunder, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, and the Lakewood BlueClaws, the Single-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Born in Trenton, NJ, Joe received his Bachelor of Arts degree in history and education from The College of William and Mary and also attended New York Law School

Donald J. Bailey

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Willis North America

Don Bailey was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Willis North America in September, 2006. He is responsible for leading the strategic direction of the organization, which was transformed by the 2008 acquisition of Hilb Rogal & Hobbs and today has more than 6,000 Associates serving clients through more than 200 local offices across the US and Canada. He also is a member of the Willis Executive Committee.

Don joined Willis in March, 2003. In March, 2004 he was named CEO of Willis Risk Solutions NA, the company’s large account practice, and in March, 2006 he was promoted to the position of Chief Operating Officer, Willis North America.

Prior to joining Willis, Don held underwriting positions with Chubb and Allianz, and served with other major brokers over a 14-year period in various capacities.

Don graduated from Allegheny College with a BS in Economics. He holds an MBA from Eastern University.

Don is the co-founder and Co-Chairman of the Statesman Foundation which is focused on funding the needs of various charities targeting disadvantaged children and the elderly.

Adam G. Ciongoli

Group General Counsel

Adam Ciongoli was appointed an Executive Officer and Group General Counsel in March 2007. Prior to joining Willis, he served as a counselor and law clerk to US Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr. during the Justice's first Term on the Court. Previously, Adam was Senior Vice President and General Counsel for TimeWarner Europe, and the Counselor to United States Attorney General John Ashcroft. Adam also serves as a special consultant to the New York City Police Department, and as an adjunct professor of law at Columbia University Law School.

Allan C. A. Gribben

Group Director - Global Sales & Marketing

Allan Gribben was appointed an Executive Officer in February 2006. He joined the Willis Group in December 2002 and was Chief Executive Officer of Willis UK and Ireland until November 2006, when he took on the role of Chief Executive Officer of Willis International.

In August 2008, Allan was appointed as Global Sales & Marketing Director and is currently responsible for Willis' strategy for profitable growth.

Prior to joining the Willis Group, Allan had been with Aon since 1981, holding a number of senior executive positions. He has over 30 years experience in the insurance brokerage industry.

Peter Hearn

CEO, Willis Re

Peter Hearn was appointed an Executive Officer in April 2007. He joined the Willis Group in January 1994 as a Senior Vice President to open and manage the Willis Re Philadelphia office and was appointed Eastern Regional Manager in October 1994 and Executive Vice President in 1997. Peter then became Chief Executive Officer of Willis Re in November 2006. Prior to joining Willis, he served as Vice President and Principal of Towers Perrin Reinsurance. Peter has 29 years of experience in the insurance brokerage industry.

David B. Margrett

Willis Limited Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of Faber & Dumas

David Margrett was appointed an Executive Officer in January 2005. He joined the Willis Group in September 2004 as a Managing Director of Global Markets. David was appointed Chief Executive Officer, Global Specialties in January 2005 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Willis Limited in April 2007.

His most recent appointment was in October 2008 when he became Chairman of Faber & Dumas, the platform for Willis’ new third-party wholesale brokerage business.

Prior to joining the Willis Group, David had been with the Heath Lambert Group, or its predecessors, since 1973, holding a number of senior positions, including Chief Executive Officer from 1996 to 2004. He has 34 years experience in the insurance industry.

Grahame J. Millwater

President, Willis Group

Grahame Millwater was appointed an Executive Officer in December 2001. He became Group President in February 2008 having previously been Chief Operating Officer since November 2006. Grahame’s background is in reinsurance and he was Chief Executive Officer of Willis Re from February 2004 to June 2006. He was also Chairman of Willis Re from September 2004 until July 2008.

Grahame joined the Willis Group in September 1985 and has had several additional cross Group responsibilities during his career. He has 22 years of experience in the insurance brokerage industry, all of which have been with Willis.

Sarah J. Turvill

Chairman, Willis International

Sarah Turvill is the Chairman of Willis International which is responsible for the Group’s 39 subsidiary companies worldwide, its investments in associate companies operating in a further 38 countries and its correspondent partners in another 38 countries. Sarah is a member of the Group’s Executive Committee and has 30 years of experience in the insurance brokerage industry, all of which have been with Willis. She has been instrumental in building Willis’ European network as well as the Group’s operations in China, Latin America, India and other high-growth markets. In her role, Sarah drives Willis’ One Flag team culture of accessing the Group’s global resources to provide clients worldwide with the full range of Willis’ skills and expertise.

Tim Wright

Chief Operating Officer

Tim Wright joined Willis as Chief Operating Officer in September 2008. He brings to Willis more than 20 years of international experience in the insurance and financial service industries, and has an in-depth knowledge of the Group having led the Willis account for Bain + Co. where he headed up their Financial Services practice.

At Willis, Tim now drives the day-to-day execution of Shaping our Future – Willis’ strategy for profitable growth – and oversees the Group’s operations, service centers, technology and accounting and settlement.

Prior to working at Bain, he was the Managing Partner of Booz Allen in the UK and head of their global insurance practice; he also started and ran an insurance software company based in New York and London.

Susan Gunn

Group Director of Human Resources

Susan Gunn was appointed an Executive Officer of the Company on April 2007 as Group Director of Human Resources. She began her career with Willis in December 2005, as Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Willis North America. Prior to joining the Company, Susan worked in the Entertainment, Spirits & Wine and Cosmetic industries, specifically at Seagram, Vivendi Universal and Revlon. She has 16 years of experience in the Human Resources field.

Willis In History

Did you know Willis was the reinsurance broker for the ill-fated Hindenburg, the German Zeppelin that exploded in 1937?