Opening a new office in Dunedin is the beginning of Willis Towers Watson’s strategic plan to increase its geographical footprint across the country, according to the
recently-merged broker’s NZ CEO
Peter Lowe.
“We recently had a strategic review of Willis Towers Watson operations in New Zealand,” he said.
“Willis Towers Watson has a significant number of large clients based in the regional areas of the lower South Island which can now be serviced directly from the Dunedin office.
“This is the first step in a new strategy to open up other offices in regional areas of New Zealand.”
The company appointed Josh Thomson to manage the office, initially by himself.
Thomson, who has been with the company for around five years, was based in Christchurch and looked after a significant number of South Island cooperatives and corporations.
He will be responsible for ensuring seamless communication with the company’s larger offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch as well as those internationally, to ensure regional clients in Dunedin have access to the full service capability of Willis Towers Watson globally, the company said.
Formerly from Gore, and former attendee of the University of Otago, Thomson said he viewed the Dunedin role as a homecoming.
Lowe added: “This is a reward to Josh for his hard work and success within the company and I have great expectations of his ability which will ensure the Dunedin office will continue to grow.”
Lowe said the company had experienced significant growth in New Zealand over the last five years, which was what prompted the executive team to commit to increasing the geographical footprint in the country’s regional areas.
“Our goal here is to better align the service we provide to regional clients to that of our three offices in metropolitan areas, which makes sound business sense.
“Within the next 12-24 months we expect to open additional offices in regional areas.”
