Willis North America Inc. has launched a practice group intended to help firms build strategic alliances with minority-owned and women-owned organizations.
Called Willis Open, the initiative has selected several certified minority-owned insurance and consulting firms in the marketplace to advise clients, Willis said Thursday.
“We are thrilled to launch a diversity partnership initiative and drive creative solutions to meet market demand,” Vic Krauze, chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “With over $100 billion in annual minority business enterprise spend, diversity partnerships have become a major strategic initiative for companies. Given the increasing importance of supplier diversity to firms across all sectors, the Willis model provides a winning platform for clients.”
Executive Vice Presidents Kimberly Waller and Phillip Styles will lead Willis Open. They report to Eric Joost, chief executive of Willis North America-specialties. Previously, Ms. Waller was chief operating officer and Mr. Styles was director of supplier diversity and strategic alliances at Aon Cornerstone, a unit of Aon P.L.C.
For additional information, contact Chicago-based Ms. Waller at kim.waller@Willis.com or Atlanta-based Mr. Styles at phillip.styles@willis.com.