The global partnership between insurance brokers Heath LambertGroup and the old Acordia brand came to a formal end today afterWells Fargo Insurance announced it has renamed the entity WellsFargo Global Broker Network.

Wells Fargo also announced personnel moves as part of theaction.

The network, HLA Global Network, which was formed betweenLondon-based Heath Lambert and Acordia shortly before theChicago-based broker's acquisition by San Francisco-based financialservices firm Wells Fargo & Company, is a network partnershipbetween the two brokers and other brokers throughout the world.

At the time of the arrangement in 2001, the partnership had apresence in 55 countries through over 200 offices and producedclose to $1 billion in revenue.

Chicago-based insurance broker Wells Fargo Insurance said in astatement that Wells Fargo Global Broker Network has 10,000insurance and risk management staff serving customers from 330offices across 70 countries, and provides insurance brokerageservices in 115 countries.

The broker said the “name change is designed to strengthen thenetwork's global identity under the Wells Fargo brand and helpexpand the delivery of international insurance and risk managementservices and solutions to Wells Fargo Insurance Services customersaround the world.”

A spokeswoman for Heath Lambert said the broker sold itsshareholdings in the network earlier this year to Wells Fargo.However, Hearth Lambert remains a member of the broker network, shesaid.

“Wells Fargo's widely known and highly trusted brand, as well asour company's considerable financial strength, depth of resourcesand leadership, will help network members around the world tobetter serve our customers,” said Dave Zuercher, chairman,president and CEO of Wells Fargo Insurance Services.

In its announcement, Wells Fargo said Bruce M. Basso would leadWells Fargo Global Broker Network as president and chief executiveofficer. He is the former co-chairman of ABD Insurance andFinancial Services. ABD Insurance was the brokerage arm of GreaterBay Bancorp deal last year and is now a part of Wells FargoInsurance Services.

Mr. Basso will join Mr. Zuercher, who is also chairman of WellsFargo Global Broker Network; Grahame Weatherley, chief operatingofficer of the broker network; and Frank Witthun and ScottIsaacson, both directors, as a member of the board of directors ofWells Fargo Global Broker Network LLC. Completing the newleadership and management structure is Deanna Hyndley, thenetwork's marketing and compliance manager.