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Willis exec jumps ship to rival broker

Posted On: Jun. 29, 2015 12:00 AM CST

Willis exec jumps ship to rival broker

Steve Hearn has been named global CEO of London-based brokerage Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford Ltd. effective Nov. 2, the company announced Monday.

Mr. Hearn currently is deputy CEO of Willis Group Holdings P.L.C. and will replace Toby Esser, who stepped down as global CEO of CGSC earlier this month after more than 30 years with the firm.

“The CGSC story is compelling, with strong established teams that are among the best in the market,” London-based Mr. Hearn said in a statement. “It is now poised to enter a new chapter, and I am extremely pleased that I will be part of it.”

Willis said Monday in a statement that Mr. Hearn would begin a period of leave before taking up the CGSC post in November. A spokesman for Willis said that there were no immediate plans to appoint a new deputy CEO.

“I want to thank Steve for everything he has done for Willis in a host of senior roles over the past seven years,” Dominic Casserley, CEO of Willis, said in the statement.

Mr. Hearn is chairman of the London & International Insurance Brokers' Association and chairman of the London Market Group, a marketwide body that aims to modernize the way business is done in the London insurance market.