Willis Executives Named to Leading Trade Publicati

NEW YORK, Oct. 18, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis North America, a unit of Willis Group Holdings plc (NYSE: WSH ), the global risk advisor, insurance and reinsurance broker, today announced that three Willis executives were named to Business Insurance 's inaugural 40 Under 40 Regional Broker Leaders list.

The 40 Under 40 Regional Broker Leaders Award program recognizes outstanding young insurance industry leaders across the United States. Criteria includes recent professional achievements, influence on the marketplace and leadership qualities.

• Erik Johansson , senior vice president of Willis's Surety Practice in Irvine, CA, was honored for providing value-added services to clients and for his success in navigating the surety marketplace on behalf of his clients. Mr. Johansson also takes great care to truly understand his clients' needs, the judges noted.
• Mike Owens , senior vice president of Willis of Louisiana in New Orleans and head of Willis's New Orleans Construction Practice, was recognized for his reputation as a trusted advisor and for his deep construction industry expertise. Mr. Owens provides his clients with a holistic view of risk that goes beyond simply securing coverage, the judges noted.
• Randi Harwood , Chicago-based vice president of Willis Risk Solutions, was recognized for her innovative approach to serving clients and her impressive professional growth within the Willis Risk Solutions practice. The judges noted Ms. Harwood's success in developing specialty expertise in the manufacturing, life sciences and food and beverage sectors.

Commenting on the awards, Todd Jones, CEO of Willis North America said, "We are very proud to have Erik, Mike and Randi recognized by Business Insurance as three of the top young leaders in the insurance broking industry. They each bring incredible energy and innovation to the business and this honor highlights their dedication to serving clients. Willis is committed to supporting and developing talent within our firm to help advance the industry."

Business Insurance is a U.S. trade magazine and website reporting on commercial insurance, risk management and employee benefits, publishing weekly in print and daily online. For more information on the program, click here .

About Willis

Willis Group Holdings plc is a leading global risk advisor, insurance and reinsurance broker. With roots dating to 1828, Willis operates today on every continent with more than 17,000 employees in over 400 offices. Willis offers its clients superior expertise, teamwork, innovation and market-leading products and professional services in risk management and transfer. Our experts rank among the world's leading authorities on analytics, modelling and mitigation strategies at the intersection of global commerce and extreme events. Find more information at our website, www.willis.com , our leadership journal, Resilience , or our up-to-the-minute blog on breaking news, WillisWire . Across geographies, industries and specialisms, Willis provides its local and multinational clients with resilience for a risky world.

Media: Colleen McCarthy +1 212 915-8307 Investors: Peter Poillon +1 212-915-8084