Lets say, for the sake of argument, that the Kansas City Royals managed to sign baseballs 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 Locktons recruitment of Julian James, formerly director of worldwide markets at Lloyds of Londonthe New York Yankees of the insurance worldwould probably involve soccersay, 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 positionexecutive chairman of international operations.

In our profile of Lockton in this week's edition of of NU (click here for Mark Ruquet's article, “Lockton Ready To Battle On Global Stage”), its 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.