Aon Chief Executive Officer Patrick G. Ryan said he plans to sell five million of his 26 million shares in the Chicago-based insurance firm to address some personal matters.
Mr. Ryan explained that having just celebrated his 68th birthday, he felt "the time has come for me to address certain personal estate, charitable and other financial matters."
His announcement noted that, "During my 42 years as CEO, I have not sold any of my Aon stock, though I have gifted a certain portion of my holdings to charities, my family and trusts."
Mr. Ryan issued his statement after the close of trading Friday.
He said the shares would be sold over the course of the next year and added that he has great faith in the leadership of the company's chief executive officer, Greg Case, and that he and his wife would remain the company's single largest individual stockholders at the end of the sale.
The sale would net Mr. Ryan an estimated $146 million.
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