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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): September 21, 2006
Willis Group Holdings Limited
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Bermuda
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
001-16503 98-0352587
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(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
c/o Willis Group Limited
Ten Trinity Square
London EC3P 3AX, England
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(44) (20) 7488-8111
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(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not Applicable
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
|_| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
(17 CFR 230.425)
|_| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.14a-12)
|_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
|_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 8.01 Other Events
On September 21, 2006, Willis Group Holdings Limited ("WGHL") issued a press
release announcing the appointment of Don Bailey as Chief Executive Officer of
Willis North America. Bailey, currently Willis North America's chief operating
officer, succeeds Mario P. Vitale, who is joining Zurich as CEO of its Global
Corporate North America operations. A copy of the Press Release is attached as
Exhibit 99.1 to this Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
99.1 Press Release of WGHL dated September 21, 2006.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED
Date: September 22, 2006 By: /s/ Eric R. Dinallo
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Name: Eric R. Dinallo
Title: Group General Counsel
Exhibit 99.1
Don Bailey Named CEO of Willis North America, Succeeding Mario P. Vitale
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 21, 2006--Willis Group Holdings,
(NYSE:WSH), the global insurance broker, announced today that Don Bailey has
been named Chief Executive Officer of Willis North America. Bailey, currently
Willis North America's chief operating officer, succeeds Mario P. Vitale, who is
joining Zurich as CEO of its Global Corporate North American operations.
Joe Plumeri, Chairman and CEO of Willis, said, "Don Bailey has
distinguished himself as COO of Willis North America and he will make an
outstanding CEO. Since joining the Company, he has embraced and is practicing
the core principles of Client Advocacy and through his various positions with
Willis has continuously demonstrated a dedication to our vision. He has a great
understanding of clients' complex needs and the ability to design appropriately
tailored solutions; he has strong business sense; and, most importantly, he has
the respect of his colleagues." Concurrent with his promotion Don joins the
Willis Partners Group, the Company's management committee.
"I want to thank Mario Vitale, who was the first person I hired six years
ago when I joined Willis," Plumeri said. "Throughout his time here, he has made
a tremendous contribution to this company while serving in a number of important
capacities. He has successfully overseen our business in North America for the
last few years, and has had an impact across the Group through the positions he
held in global sales and marketing functions.
Under his direction, Willis North America has excelled in many ways:
service levels - measured by client retention - are higher than they have ever
been; organic growth has consistently led the industry; and our recruiting
efforts continue to attract the very best in the industry. I have valued his
thoughtful counsel as a member of the executive management team and, along with
his colleagues at Willis, I thank him for all he has done for the Company and
wish him all the best for the future."
Bailey joined Willis in March, 2003 to lead the firm's North American
Executive Risks Practice, and has since served as CEO of the Company's North
American large account practice. He was named COO of Willis North America in
March 2006. He came to Willis from Allianz Insurance Company in Chicago where he
served as Senior Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer of the Specialty
Risk Lines. Prior to his tenure with Allianz, Don served Aon and Marsh in
various capacities. His insurance career started with Chubb & Son in 1987, when
he joined the firm as an Underwriter in the Financial Institutions Department.
Don Bailey said, "We will be building on the very strong foundation that
Mario Vitale has created at Willis North America, continuing to strengthen our
expertise, broaden our offerings and expand our client base both geographically
and by industry."
Mario Vitale said, "I am very fortunate to have been able to spend the last
six years of my career at such a great company and with such wonderful
colleagues. Working with and learning from Joe Plumeri has made me a better
professional and a stronger leader. I thank him for his support and
inspirational leadership and am sure I will be a better insurance executive
given my time with him and the management team at Willis."
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.
CONTACT: Willis Group Holdings
Investors:
Kerry K. Calaiaro, +1 212-837-0880
kerry.calaiaro@willis.com
or
Media:
Dan Prince, +1 212-837-0806
daniel.prince@willis.com