View this article online: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2010/06/11/110651.htm
The Willis Commercial Network (WCN), a successful alliance between independent UK insurance brokers, leading insurers and global insurance broker Willis Group Holdings, announced that two of its largest members, Berkeley Insurance Group UK Ltd and Beaumonts Insurance Brokers Ltd, have committed to remain with WCN in long-term deals.
Beaumonts Insurance Brokers Ltd has committed to an extended ten-year deal and Berkeley Insurance Group UK Ltd has signed for another five years. The two brokers “bring a combined network-traded premium of £30 million [$44 million] to the growing WCN, which was established in 1999 and includes invited members from all regions of the UK,” said Willis. It currently has 85 members.
Beaumonts, based in Bradford, is a leading independent intermediary and risk management consultancy and offers transactional and advisory services on all types of non-life general insurance products. CEO Simon Bland commented: “We pride ourselves on our independence and we’ve found our autonomy has been preserved being a part of the Willis Commercial Network. Willis provides a great deal of clout in the market and we have particularly valued the specialist teams within Willis, which have helped us continue to offer a range of complex services to clients.”
Willis noted that “Berkeley Insurance Group, established in 1973 as Berkeley Burke and headquartered in Leicester, is one of the UK’s largest privately-owned independent insurance brokers. The broker joined the WCN in 1999 dealing with corporate clients and specializing in a variety of sectors, including Property, Construction, Leisure, Charities, Professional Indemnity and high net worth personal insurance
Chief Executive Tim Maxted explained: “When we formed Berkeley Insurance Group in 2008, ffollowing a management buy-out, we conducted an extensive review process of both Willis and other networks’ offerings and the Willis Commercial Network came out top. In the time we’ve been members, we’ve found its advice and expertise to be invaluable to growing our business.”
WCN Members have access to Willis’ global resources and facilities, including its specialist divisions and training programs.
Source: Willis Group Holdings