Willis Group Strengthens Global Employee Benefits Leadership Team.

NEW YORK -- In its drive to become the leading global employee benefits provider, Willis Group announced today the appointment of Rick Elliott, Alain Bicque and Chris Mooney all as Vice Chairmen of its Global Employee Benefits Practice. Working with Greg Arms, Chairman of the unit, the team builds on the strong momentum established in recent years and is tasked with the strategic growth and full operational oversight of the practice. It spans more than 110 countries, including correspondents, with over 1,500 Willis Associates worldwide. Willis' key market differentiator is a unique, integrated blending of insurance broking, employee benefits consulting, and human resources support services.

"We have a terrific opportunity with a proven team of employee benefits professionals to take Willis to the next level," said Joe Plumeri, Chairman and CEO of Willis. "Rick, Alain and Chris working together have more than 75 years of experience in this field both in the United States and around the world. I am confident in their abilities to drive this practice, contribute to our results, and make a meaningful impact on the industry overall."

Rick Elliott, who most recently served as leader of Willis' North America Employee Benefits Practice, will assume a new role as Director of Global Sales and will provide sales leadership around the world. In his previous role, Elliott and his team did an outstanding job of building the Employee Benefits business in a competitive environment and achieved market-leading financial results. He will report to Greg Arms.

Alain Bicque has been with Willis since 2000 as Employee Benefits Practice Leader for Willis' international operations and will continue in that role. During his years at Willis, Bicque has played a critical role in building the employee benefits practice in Continental Europe, Latin America and Asia while achieving excellent results in recruiting and developing talent. He has made great strides in enhancing the professionalism of the Practice in the local markets and has helped to win many new corporate clients of all sizes from small accounts to and including the Global 500. Bicque will continue reporting to Sarah Turvill, the Chairman of Willis International Holdings and will have dual-reporting to Arms.

Chris Mooney has joined Willis to take over the North American Employee Benefits Practice leadership role previously held by Elliott. Mooney comes to Willis following three years at Fidelity Investments where he was a Senior Vice President for the company's U.S. benefits consulting operations. Before that, Mooney was with W. M. Mercer and Johnson & Higgins for a total of 16 years where he served as Office Leader, Worldwide Partner, and Client Manager. Earlier in his career, he worked at AIG and Aetna/Generali. In his new role, Mooney will dual-report to Don Bailey, Chief Executive Officer of Willis North America and Greg Arms.

Willis Group Holdings Limited is a leading global insurance broker, developing and delivering professional insurance, reinsurance, risk management, financial and human resource consulting and actuarial services to corporations, public entities and institutions around the world. With over 300 offices in more than 100 countries, its global team of 15,400 Employees and Associates serves clients in some 190 countries. Willis is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: WSH). Additional information on Willis may be found on its web site: www.willis.com.