NU Online News Service, Jan. 19, 12:11 p.m.EST

John Cavanagh was named chief executive officer of Willis Re,the reinsurance broking arm of Willis Group Holdings, the firmannounced today.

Cavanagh succeeds Steve Hearn, who was named chairman and CEO ofWillis Global last December.

In his new role, Cavanagh joins Peter Hearn, chairman Willis Re,and Paddy Jago, president of Willis Re on the Willis Reexecutive team, in addition to becoming a member of the Willisexecutive committee.

Cavanagh was executive vice president and managing director ofWillis Re since 2009, when he joined Willis from R.K. Carvill,an international specialty reinsurance broker, where he was jointCEO.

Prior to his 21 years at the Carvill Group, Cavanagh was deputymanaging director of Minet Re and a director of the North Americanreinsurance division at Willis Faber and Dumas.

“Since joining us in 2009, John has made an enormouscontribution and has had an extremely productive workingrelationship with the Willis and Willis Re executive management,”says Peter Hearn in a statement. “His extensive experienceof the market and his familiarity with our clients andprospects has been invaluable, and the continued growth andsuccess of Willis Re are undoubtedly assured under hisleadership as CEO.”