Willis, a WTW business, has appointed Cecelia Lockner (pictured above) as senior director and strategic client advisor within its North America Alternative Asset Insurance Solutions (AAIS) unit.
Lockner joins from Goodwin Procter LLP, where she was a partner in the firm’s Complex Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice. She brings more than 15 years of experience advising private equity, hedge funds, and corporate clients on a wide range of insurance matters.
Her career also includes prior work at an insurance brokerage, where she focused on placing representation and warranty insurance programs. WTW said Lockner’s combined background in brokerage and litigation allows her to assist clients throughout the insurance lifecycle, from program structuring to claims resolution.
“Cecelia’s arrival represents a major milestone in our ability to deliver for clients in an increasingly complex and fast-moving deal environment. She brings not only exceptional technical expertise, but also the kind of differentiated claims and negotiation expertise that sets our team apart," said AAIS head Aartie Manansingh.
Lockner’s addition follows a series of leadership appointments within the AAIS business in North America. In April, WTW named Harry Merker as the head of property and casualty cross-industry sales as well as AAIS strategy in the region.
His dual mandate was created to help expand the firm’s commercial lines offering to private capital clients and to integrate AAIS capabilities with broader P&C advisory functions.
The AAIS unit has also added transactional claims leadership to strengthen its client service capacity. Earlier this year, WTW brought on Dom Spinelli to lead transactional insurance claims in North America. Spinelli’s responsibilities span management of claims related to representations and warranties, tax insurance, and contingent liability policies.
WTW’s AAIS division focuses on delivering insurance programs to clients involved in private transactions and alternative investments, including mergers, acquisitions, and portfolio company risk management.
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