Willis Group Holdings plc was a multinational risk advisor, insurance brokerage and reinsurance brokerage company headquartered in the Willis Building in London. It was the third-largest insurance broker worldwide by revenues.[1] In 2016, the company acquired Towers Watson and was renamed Willis Towers Watson.
History
In 1828, Henry Willis began selling imported goods for commission on the Baltic Exchange in London. In 1841, he began brokering insurance for the cargoes of commodities he sold on commission. He expanded to marine insurance and founded Henry Willis & Company shortly thereafter.[2] In 1896, the company expanded to the U.S. market through a relationship with Johnson & Higgins.