Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Latest NewsFlexible benefitsHealth insurancePay & benefitsPensions

Aon buys Willis Towers Watson in £23bn deal

by Rob Moss 9 Mar 2020
by Rob Moss 9 Mar 2020 Pavel Kapysh / Shutterstock
Pavel Kapysh / Shutterstock

Aon is to acquire Willis Towers Watson in an all-share deal that will create the world’s largest insurance broker.

Subject to approval, the new company will have a combined equity value of around $80 billion (£62 billion), larger than US giant Marsh & McLennan.

“The combination of Willis Towers Watson and Aon is a natural next step in our journey to better serve our clients in the areas of people, risk and capital,” said Willis Towers Watson chief executive John Haley. “This transaction accelerates that journey by providing our combined teams the opportunity to drive innovation more quickly and deliver more value.”

The combination of Willis Towers Watson and Aon is a natural next step in our journey to better serve our clients in the areas of people, risk and capital” – John Haley, Willis Towers Watson

In a joint statement the companies said the deal combines two highly complementary businesses into a technology-enabled global platform that is more relevant and responsive to clients’ needs.

“This combination will create a more innovative platform capable of delivering better outcomes for all stakeholders, including clients, colleagues, partners and investors,” said Aon chief executive Greg Case.

“Our world-class expertise across risk, retirement and health will accelerate the creation of new solutions that more efficiently match capital with unmet client needs in high-growth areas like cyber, delegated investments, intellectual property, climate risk and health solutions.”

The new firm’s combined management teams have considerable experience with the integration of large, complex transactions. The combined company will be named Aon, and will be a global professional services firm focused on the areas of risk, retirement and health.

It will maintain its headquarters in London. Haley will become executive chairman with a focus on growth and innovation, but will be led by Greg Case and Aon chief financial officer Christa Davies. The board will comprise members from Aon and Willis Towers Watson’s current executive teams.

Aon anticipates that the transaction will provide annual pre-tax synergies and cost reductions of $800m (£615m) by the third full year of combination, allowing the firm to invest further in innovation.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approval aas well as the approval of the shareholders of both Willis Towers Watson and Aon Ireland. Aon incorporated in Dublin last year citing Brexit as the reason. Aon and Willis Towers Watson expect the transaction to be completed early next year.

Rob Moss
Rob Moss

Rob Moss is a business journalist with more than 25 years' experience. He has been editor of Personnel Today since 2010. He joined the publication in 2006 as online editor of the award-winning website. Rob specialises in labour market economics, gender diversity and family-friendly working. He has hosted hundreds of webinar and podcasts. Before writing about HR and employment he ran news and feature desks on publications serving the global optical and eyewear market, the UK electrical industry, and energy markets in Asia and the Middle East.

previous post
New written particulars from 6 April could prove a ‘major headache’
next post
How rewarding staff in small firms need not be costly

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

You may also like

Introduce three-day week for over 50s, says former...

26 Sep 2023

Auto-enrolment into savings boosts financial wellbeing

18 Sep 2023

Pension contributions should double, says Abrdn chief

4 Sep 2023

Police Federation will not appeal discrimination ruling

19 Jul 2023

DC pension reforms announced by government

11 Jul 2023

Gender pensions gap is more a ‘gaping chasm’

6 Jun 2023

Dozens of employers affected by Capita data breach

31 May 2023

Ministers put off decision to increase pension age...

30 Mar 2023

‘Living Pension Employer’ scheme launched

21 Mar 2023

University staff consider new offer but strikes continue

15 Mar 2023

  • Discover the value of CIPD accreditation PROMOTED | See how the CIPD can increase your earning potential...Read more
  • What does it mean to be an HR professional in 2024? (survey) PROMOTED | The world of HR is changing rapidly...Read more
  • The Contractor Management Mastery Pack: Everything you need to manage and pay global contractors PROMOTED | Answers to cross-border...Read more

Personnel Today Jobs
 

Search Jobs

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2023

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2023 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+