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The reinsurance arm of Willis Towers Watson has strengthened its Australian team with two new appointments, as it pushes towards further growth in the region.
Willis Re confirmed today that John Philipsz has been appointed as deputy CEO of the firm’s Australia operations. Based in Sydney, Philipsz will continue to drive the development of Willis Re’s reinsurance brokerage and advisory business in Australia.
Philipsz previously worked for Willis Towers Watson Securities in London but relocated to Australia in 2016 after the firm’s Sydney office was first launched and he was appointed co-head of Asia Pacific.
Philipsz has over 20 years of investment banking experience, primarily covering the insurance sector, and has also held various roles at Merrill Lynch and Bank of America in London, New York and Tokyo.
Karl Jones, head of catastrophe analytics for Willis Re International, is also set to join the Syndey office, relocating from London in the first quarter of 2019.
Despite the major relocation, Jones is already well-known to the Australian market, having previously been based in Sydney with Willis Re up to 2015.
While Jones will continue in his global role, Willis Re said his return to Australia will strengthen the firm’s ability to provide clients in the region with world-class catastrophe analytics capabilities.
Commenting on the leadership changes, Willis Re CEO Cameron Green said the role of the reinsurance broker has evolved in recent years.
“Willis Re in Australia and throughout the world has been at the forefront of driving innovation in its service offering, to deliver meaningful value and insight for its clients,” he said. “The addition of John and Karl to the Willis Re team in Australia will strengthen our operations in the Australian market to drive our next phase of growth.”
