Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company Ordinary Shares - WTW STOCK NEWS

WTW has acquired a stake in atomos, a UK-based advice-led wealth manager backed by Oaktree Capital Management. This investment follows a successful strategic alliance since 2022, where WTW's investment engine powered atomos' multi-asset investment solutions. The partnership aims to provide atomos' clients with access to a broader range of asset classes and investment choices.

The deal strengthens WTW's presence in the £2.2 trillion UK wealth market. It allows WTW to extend its investment capabilities to a wider audience and shape how the industry serves savers' needs. The investment is designed to support further growth for atomos and recognizes its growth potential in the competitive UK wealth management sector.

This move aligns with WTW's strategic focus on wealth markets, which has driven significant business growth in recent years. The partnership combines high-quality financial planning with institutional-quality investment portfolios to deliver sustainable financial outcomes for savers.

WTW (NASDAQ: WTW) has announced new leadership for its Corporate Risk & Broking (CRB) business in the Philippines. Gerald M. Dolina (Gary) will join as Head of Philippines and Head of CRB Philippines, effective January 2, 2025. James Matti, the current head, will transition to Managing Director, Health, Wealth & Career (HWC) Philippines.

Simon Weaver, Head of Asia Pacific and Head of CRB Asia Pacific at WTW, praised James Matti's 18-year leadership and emphasized the Philippines as a key market in their Southeast Asia business. Rupert Roberts, Head of CRB Southeast Asia, expressed excitement about Gary's addition, citing his extensive experience and commitment to exceptional client service.

The company aims to strengthen its position as the Philippines' and the region's best specialty broker, risk advisor, and client partner by investing in talent close to clients.

WTW (NASDAQ: WTW) has announced a co-brokerage agreement with The J. Morey Company, Inc., an Ori-gen family company. This partnership aims to provide customized risk management solutions for North American exposures of Japanese-headquartered companies. The collaboration leverages The J. Morey Company's influence in the Asian marketplace and WTW's extensive brokerage experience.

Key benefits include:

• Access to WTW's broad carrier relationships for Asian companies
• Alignment of WTW's Industry Vertical Divisions with The J. Morey Company's experienced brokerage team
• Enhanced expertise and industry knowledge for The J. Morey Company's Asian clients

This partnership supports WTW's Asian growth strategy and reinforces its commitment to serving Asian clients in the US marketplace.

GTCR and Recognize have announced an agreement to acquire TRANZACT, a leading direct-to-consumer insurance services company, from WTW PLC (NASDAQ: WTW) for $632.4 million. TRANZACT, headquartered in Fort Lee, NJ, provides marketing, sales, and technology solutions for insurance carriers. The company currently serves as the platform for several large insurance carrier partners and is the agent of record for over one million active insurance policies.

Andy Nelson, current President of TRANZACT, will become CEO of the standalone business after the acquisition. GTCR and Recognize plan to implement a strategy to drive continued innovation and expand TRANZACT's services. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2024, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

WTW (NASDAQ: WTW) has announced an agreement to sell its TRANZACT direct-to-consumer insurance distribution business to GTCR and Recognize for $632.4 million, subject to adjustments. The divestiture aims to sharpen WTW's strategic focus on core business-to-business and business-to-business-to-consumer offerings, simplify its portfolio, and accelerate progress toward long-term free cash flow margin goals.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2024, pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. WTW anticipates recording non-cash pre-tax losses and related impairment charges estimated between $1.6 billion and $2.1 billion in the third quarter of 2024, with updates until the closing date. BofA Securities and Lazard are serving as financial advisors, while Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is acting as legal advisor to WTW for this transaction.

WTW (NASDAQ: WTW) has announced the launch of a new China Client Division within Corporate Risk and Broking, North America (CRB NA). This division is part of the broader Asia Risk Division established in December 2023, which includes country-specific teams for Japan, South Korea, India, and China. The new division aims to address the unique cultural and economic dynamics of the Chinese market and its approach to risk management.

As part of this strategic expansion, Jie Yan has been appointed as China Client Division Leader, effective September 1, 2024. Yan brings over a decade of industry experience and cultural understanding of the Chinese market. Chris Condello, Head of the Asia Risk Division within CRB NA, is leading this expansion to deliver tailored solutions for Chinese clients with operations in North America.

WTW's 2024 Best Practices in Healthcare Survey reveals that U.S. employers project healthcare costs to increase by 7.7% in 2025, up from 6.9% in 2024 and 6.5% in 2023. To address this post-pandemic high, employers are focusing on cost-effective plan designs and employee wellbeing rather than traditional cost-shifting strategies.

Key findings include:

• 52% plan to implement programs reducing total costs
• 51% intend to adopt strategies steering to lower-cost, higher-quality providers
• Only 34% expect to shift costs to employees through premium contributions
• 54% are exploring navigation technology for provider price and quality information

Employers are also prioritizing obesity management, cancer care, cardiovascular health, and women's health. The survey highlights interest in AI applications for navigation solutions (64%) and communication (58%) in health benefits.

WTW (NASDAQ: WTW) has announced the launch of a new China Client Division within Corporate Risk and Broking, North America (CRB NA). This division is part of the broader Asia Risk Division, established in December 2023, which includes country-specific teams for Japan, South Korea, India, and China. The new division aims to address the unique cultural and economic dynamics of each country and their approaches to risk management.

Jie Yan has been appointed as the China Client Division Leader, effective September 1, 2024. With over a decade of industry experience, Yan brings expertise and cultural understanding of the Chinese market. Christopher Condello, Head of the Asia Risk Division within CRB NA, will oversee this strategic expansion, focusing on delivering tailored solutions for Chinese clients with operations in North America.

WTW's 2024 Pay Transparency Survey reveals that most North American companies are increasing pay transparency due to global regulatory requirements. Key findings include:

- 74% communicate job levels, 58% share variable pay opportunities, and 65% explain base pay determination
- 75% share hiring rates/ranges with external candidates, 69% with internal candidates
- 86% of U.S. and 58% of Canadian companies communicate pay info across entire regions
- 73% cite regulatory requirements as the main driver for increased transparency

Employers anticipate more questions about compensation from employees (72%) and managers (71%), as well as increased pay negotiations (57%). To assess impact, 56% of companies are establishing metrics, focusing on employee retention (40%) and questions received (37%).