Willis Changes Management for Central, East Europe; Middle East, Africa

Willis Group Holdings announced that Toby Wemyss has been appointed as Regional CEO of the Group’s Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa operations, effective April first.

He will be based in London and report to Tim Wright, CEO of Willis International. Wemyss will lead over 400 Associates in offices spanning nine countries, as well as managing Willis’s partnership with Gras Savoye in Africa and the Middle East. This geographically diverse region is an important growth engine for Willis International; Eastern Europe alone recorded double digit organic growth in commissions and fees last year, while the Middle East and much of the African continent represent significant growth opportunities.

Wemyss has worked for Willis since the beginning of his insurance career. He joined the Group’s Construction, Property & Casualty (CPC) division in 2000, following a period of military service with the Royal Marines. Over the last twelve years he has held a number of roles within CPC, including Head of the Terrorism Practice, Co-Regional Director of the Asia-Pacific team, Chief Operating Officer, Managing Director and most recently, Chief Executive Officer.

Gianmarco Tosti is set to replace Wemyss as CEO of CPC. He currently serves as managing director of Faber Global, the facultative and wholesale broking unit of Willis Group. He will report to CPC’s Executive Chairman, John Forder.

Tosti joined Willis in 2006 to lead CPC’s Southern European operations and later, as CEO of Willis Facultative, was instrumental in driving the expansion of the Group’s property and casualty facultative capabilities.

Willis explained that CPC “is the recently formed business unit that comprises Willis’s Global Construction Services and Global Markets International. One of the core business units within Specialty, it provides innovative solutions for Willis offices around the world as well as direct clients.”

Wemyss will take over from Regional CEO Scott Pickering, who is leaving the Group to take up a new role as Chief Executive of the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) in New Zealand on May first. Pickering joined Willis in 2010 from RSA. As well as his regional responsibilities, he also led Willis’ South Africa business.

Ryck Genis, currently Executive Director of Willis South Africa, will take over Pickering’s duties as CEO, Willis South Africa. Based in Johannesburg, he will report directly to Wemyss. He joined the Group in 2007.

Source: Willis Group Holdings plc