Let's say, for the sake of argument, that the Kansas City Royals managed to sign baseball's best all-around player, Alex Rodriguez, after A-Rod left the New York Yankees as a free agent. Such a high-profile hire would immediately put competitors around the major leagues on notice that the Royals mean business. Perhaps a more appropriate analogy for Lockton's recruitment of Julian James, formerly director of worldwide markets at Lloyd's of London–the New York Yankees of the insurance world–would probably involve soccer…say, the signing of David Beckham by the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Be that as it may, the fact is Lockton scored quite a coup earlier this year when the Kansas City-based brokerage announced Mr. James would be joining the organization in a newly created position–executive chairman of international operations.

In our profile of Lockton on page 26, it's clear this already well-respected brokerage quickly became a major multinational player with its acquisition last year of London-based Alexander Forbes International Risk Services. The deal substantially boosted not only revenues but its global reach with the rebranded Lockton International Holdings.