The GB (Great Britain) financial lines and executives risk team (FINEX) at Willis Towers Watson has welcomed a duo of new hires to boost its directors’ and officers’ (D&O) capabilities.
Joining the roster are former AXA XL head of UK financial institutions Eve Richards and ex-Clyde & Co partner Angus Duncan in their capacity as GB head of FINEX D&O and executive director & coverage specialist, respectively.
“Having worked closely with Willis Towers Watson throughout my career, I have always really admired the leadership and culture of the FINEX team,” commented Richards.
“Angus and I also have a long and established working relationship and the opportunity to work together, in the same team and within a business which is built upon the strength of its relationships – both internal and external – was a big incentive for me.”
The two will be working with large complex clients on structuring long-term sustainable placements.
“Directors and officers are seeing ever-increasing exposures with more class actions in more jurisdictions and regulators turning an increased focus on individual accountability and personal liability,” noted Duncan, who was with Mayer Brown for more than 10 years and was a partner in the insurance and reinsurance practice in London.
The Morgan Lewis & Bockius and Norton Rose alumnus added: “My experience of working with Eve over the last decade, and knowledge of the team’s existing strength, gives me the confidence to say that we now have the right balance to help clients navigate such challenges.”
Meanwhile FINEX GB head Olivia Cooper described the pair’s arrival as being in line with Willis Towers Watson’s commitment to build a diverse and market-leading FINEX D&O team.
“These new hires,” she said, “combined with our existing mix of underwriting experience and broking talent, means we are able to offer the most up-to-date and comprehensive client service available.
“They join us at an exciting time in our growth strategy, with heightened demand for solutions across the full spectrum of services we offer for UK and international exposures – a demand that is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.”
