Willis raids Aon for new Ireland boss

Willis has appointed Brian Curtis as chief executive of Willis Risk Services (Ireland), effective immediately.

Curtis reports to Brendan McManus, chief executive of Willis UK & Ireland.

Curtis will be responsible for driving growth throughout Willis’ Irish operation, which employs 320 staff in offices in Dublin, Limerick and Cork, and generates annual revenues of more than €40 million.

Curtis joins Willis from Aon Ireland, where he has been both chief operating officer and chief broking officer since 2000. Having started his own brokerage business at the age of 28, he sold the company in 1996.

Curtis succeeds Jim O’Mahoney, who is named chairman of Willis Risk Solutions (Ireland). The business, formerly known as Coyle Hamilton Willis, changed its name last September. O’Mahoney has been with Coyle Hamilton and Willis for nearly 25 years.

McManus said: “Brian’s knowledge of and presence in the local market will bring many benefits to Willis in the region. He is a dynamic and forward-thinking businessman and an outstanding leader who will work very well with the Willis team. In addition to Brian’s appointment, we look forward to Jim playing an important role as Chairman, leveraging his many years of experience and critical guidance and support through this period of transition.

"These changes, coupled with our recent announcement about our plans to move our corporate headquarters to Ireland, underscore our strong commitment to the Irish market and our determination to be a significant part of its outstanding growth potential as one of the world’s great financial and insurance centres.”