Willis takes fast risk with supersonic car

As one of the world's largest insurance brokers, Willis Group Holdings P.L.C. doesn't seem to be afraid of some four-wheeled thrills.

Willis has been named lead broker and risk adviser for an upcoming bid to break the world land speed record with the Bloodhound Supersonic Car, the company said in a statement.

Willis will offer its services during the car's building and testing phase. The car's team is aiming for a record 800-mph run in September in South Africa's Kalahari Desert, followed by an ambitious attempt at 1,000 mph in 2016, the statement said.

The BBC reports the sleek speedster will be powered by a Eurofighter jet engine and a hybrid rocket motor.

“This is all about resilience at 1,000 miles per hour,” Adam Piper, Willis' lead broker on the Bloodhound program, said in the statement. “Developing a tailored and comprehensive risk and insurance program to meet the evolving requirements of this inspiring engineering adventure demands an analytical approach to risk. Willis and our London insurance partners are closely aligned with the Bloodhound project's risk management philosophy — this is critical to ensure success.”

Mr. Piper arguably may have the fastest-moving job in insurance broking.