Willis Group Holding said it has obtained a two-year contract as the insurance consultant for the Three Gorges Dam project in China, which Marsh brokerage had previously described as its account.

Neither brokerage would confirm that London-based Willis' announcement meant Marsh had lost its role with the largest hydropower project in the world.

Willis said it won the contract to be the insurance consultant for operational assets of the project located in Sandouping, a region in the Hubei province of China. The project will be fully operational by 2011, Willis said.

A 2007 article by Reuters on Marsh's Web site quotes Paul Wilkins, chief executive of greater China for Marsh, as counting the dam project among the firm's accounts, signifying a strong presence in the China market. Marsh is the risk consultant to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

A spokesman for Marsh declined to comment, saying the company does not comment on relationships.

A spokeswoman for Willis declined any additional comment related to the relationship.

Willis said it has 20 licensed offices located throughout China and was recently ranked among the top brokers in a review of the quality of licensed insurance brokers operating in Shanghai by the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC). Marsh has said that it received similar ranking by the CIRC.

The ranking report is not available on the CIRC's Web site. Neither firm has provided the full ranking report it cited.

Special Reports /

Willis Obtains China Dam Project Job Held By Marsh

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