NU Online News Service, Oct. 14, 3:15 p.m.EDT

Reinsurance broker Willis Re in New York announced it has made aseries of chief executive appointments and other management changesas part of a new organizational structure.

The subsidiary of Ireland-domiciled insurance brokerage WillisGroup Holdings Ltd. said it is combining its International andSpecialty network into a single business unit to better enable itto provide a full range of resources and capabilities in all of thegeographies in which it operates.

The reinsurance brokerage said it also is more closely aligningits U.S. and Bermuda operations in a new North America group. Insupport of these changes, it will unify its Analytics andOperational teams on a global basis. Lines between reinsurancebroking, analytics and the firm's other offerings "have blurred inrecent years and continue to converge," said Peter Hearn, chiefexecutive officer of Willis Re.

As part of the reorganization, the firm announced leadershipappointments.

It said Chris Clark and James Vickers have been named chairmenof the new International and Specialty business unit.

Mr. Clark will focus on new business development for Specialtyand Property/Casualty business, primarily in the London market andthe United States. Mr. Vickers will focus on new businessdevelopment in other markets, especially in Japan and across Asia,and will serve as the primary client advocate on several largeglobal accounts. He will also be responsible for Willis Re's globalbranding and marketing.

Also within the International and Specialty unit, Jason Howardhas been appointed CEO, with responsibility for integrating the twoformerly separate businesses.

Paddy Jago was named president of Willis Re and to lead globalsales and growth. While continuing to produce business and maintainkey client relationships in the United States, the London Marketand internationally, Mr. Jago will work to further development ofWillis Re's global sales model, the company said.

Consistent with the approach being taken across theInternational and Specialty network, Willis Re said Jim Bradshawwill take on the role of CEO of its new North America Group andwill be responsible for aligning Willis Re's Bermuda operation moreclosely with its U.S. operation to leverage the combined resourcesof these businesses.

James Kent was named managing director of Willis Re Bermuda andpresident of Willis Re North America.

Rowan Douglas was named CEO of Global Analytics. Mr. Douglasalso will maintain leadership of the Willis Research Network, thecompany said.

Yves Provencher was named managing director of Global Analytics,responsible for driving greater coordination in product developmentand ensuring consistent quality of products and output.