Willis grows West

Global insurance broker Willis Group Holdings (NYSE: WSH) has appointed two senior associates in Calgary in a move to continue strengthening its presence in “key geographic markets across North America.”
Willis has appointed Kathy Underhill to the position of executive vice president, managing partner and office director of the Calgary operations. Underhill is also a member of the management committee of the new global energy business, led by global energy leader, Phillip Ellis.
Underhill joins Willis with more than 21 years of experience in the oil and gas sector and financial risk management, according to Willis. Most recently she was vice president of financial risk management and internal audit at EnCana Corporation in Calgary where she worked for four years. Before EnCana, Underhill directed energy risk and advisory services for KPMG and has also served as manager of the energy risk management practice with Shell Canada.
Phillip Ellis, Willis Energy Chairman says Underhill help Willis to develop more “innovative offerings to clients and prospects that will reflect their global needs.”
William “Bill” K. Chan has also joined Willis’ Calgary operations as senior vice president and Western practice leader for Willis Alternative Risk Solutions.
Chan brings more than 30 years industry experience to Willis, joining from Aon Reed Stenhouse, where he was vice president with their risk management services group for seven years. Prior to this, he spent 17 years with Petro-Canada as a senior analyst of risk management and senior strategic planning advisor.
Wole Coaxum, president and CEO of Willis Canada, says the brokerage is expanding and making new inroads in an important product segment for its clients. “With Bill (Chan)’s unique skill of designing non-conventional risk financial solutions for clients and his deep knowledge of captive insurance, embedded in the Group’s overall strength in captives and Enterprise Risk Finance, Willis is developing a new platform in Western Canada.”