RIVAL BROKERS LOOK TO EXPLOIT AON-WILLIS MERGER COLLAPSE

Competitor broking firms are looking to take advantage of the failed $30bn merger of Aon and Willis Towers Watson. Already speculation is growing that Willis Towers Watson may still look to offload some of its insurance and reinsurance assets, such as Willis Re, in a strategic move to reposition itself. This could provide opportunities for rivals such as Arthur J Gallagher, which had already agreed to buy a block of assets, and other acquisitive firms like Howden and Ardonagh. Willis Towers Watson and Gallagher executives may well have further discussions once the dust has settled on the failed merger. But rival brokers will also see the collapse of the merger as a recruitment opportunity.