Willis Group Holdings plc has appointed Huichih Ko as Chairman of Willis Asia, effective September 9. He will be initially based in the Singapore HQ of Willis Asia, which employs around 890 associates in 36 offices.
The announcement said he would “play a leading role in defining Willis Asia’s strategic direction and driving client engagement and growth across the region.”
Ko has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry. He joins Willis from Marsh & McLennan Companies (MMC), where he served as MMC Country Corporate Officer for Taiwan.
Ko started his insurance brokerage career in New York with Fred S James in 1981. He was assigned to Taiwan in 1983 and subsequently became President of James International Taiwan. Between 1987 and 1998 he served as CEO of Sedgwick Taiwan.
Following the acquisition of Sedgwick by Marsh, Ko was appointed as Regional Director North Asia, Marsh Resolution. In 2000 he became Managing Director and chairman of Marsh Taiwan and in 2010 he was promoted to Deputy Chairman, Marsh Greater China Region. In 2013 he was appointed as MMC Country Corporate Officer for Taiwan.
Ko holds a bachelor’s degree in Shipping Management and a Master of Science in Transportation. He has also taught marine insurance and shipping management courses in universities in Taiwan.
Tim Wright, CEO of Willis International, said: “Willis is going from strength to strength in Asia, and the addition of such a senior talent will be a further boost to our capabilities and ambitions.” He also described Ko as a “very experienced and respected industry leader who is well known across the region;” adding that he “will play a vital role in growing and connecting our business both in Asia and globally.”
Ko indicated that he is “deeply impressed by Willis’ vision and commitment to invest across Asia in order to tap into some exciting, high-potential markets. I’m pleased to have the opportunity to work with the many talents in Willis to develop innovative solutions for clients and markets. Asian insurance markets have come a long way – many are mature and ready to diversify their books – and I look forward to helping our global clients explore that new capacity.”
Source: Willis Group Holdings plc
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Investors Are Increasingly Interested in a Novel Type of Weather Insurance 
‘Dirty Dozen’ Unsafe Employers Putting Workers at Risk 
Berkshire’s Jain on Cyber: ‘The Mindset Should Be You’re Not Making Money’ 
Travelers to Open Technology Office in Atlanta 
