Willis Opens French Aerospace Office

Global broker Willis Group Holdings announced that its Inspace division has been “further strengthened by the opening of a new office in France, Willis Aerospace Consulting (WAC).”

Willis’ new operation is in Neuilly-sur-Seine, just outside Paris. The bulletin said the “new entity will be dedicated to providing space insurance and aerospace consulting services with a primary focus on continental Europe, the Middle East and Africa.” It also noted that “with the addition of WAC, Willis Inspace is now based in five countries including the UK, USA, France, Malaysia and Spain, and employs 30 dedicated experts worldwide.

“The new office is headed up by Philippe Montpert, a broker with 20 years experience in the industry who also holds an aerospace engineering degree from ESTACA. Montpert will be supported by Xavier Lacombe, who has extensive aerospace knowledge after working in the industry for over 15 years.”

On the opening of the new branch, Bill Lloyd, Chairman and CEO of Willis Inspace commented: “WAC completes the leading international presence of Willis’ specialized space network by adding a new center of excellence in Europe. With their impressive combined experience, Philippe and Xavier are ideally positioned to grow our space business even further.”

Philip Smaje, Willis Aerospace COO and Managing Director of Willis Inspace noted: “Willis Limited is the first FSA regulated insurance broker to set up a business in France under the new single market European insurance mediation regulations. With this major achievement, supported by [French broker] Gras Savoye, Willis confirms yet again its total dedication to offering the best professionals together with the best products to its clients.”

Topics Europe Aerospace