WTW

The broker joins after a brief spell at Aon, where he was head of EMEA business development.

James Excell, the fac leader for sub-Saharan Africa, had worked for WTW for a decade.

Lou Smith most recently served as the first chief digital officer at Lloyd’s of London, where she was responsible for delivering the organisation’s strategy for a digital insurance market.

Stefan Weda will also take on the role of head of CRB for WTW Netherlands.

The brokers will have until early 2023 to settle the case via private mediation or the case will move forward to a jury trial that could last between seven and 10 days.

The broker said the last three years of hardening had led to a “substantial technical correction”.

Gardner was previously at Marsh for nearly three decades, holding a variety of leadership roles.

The unit will be headed by Jo Holliday and house lines of business including contingency and political violence.

The change comes as the broker seeks to draw a line under a tumultuous chapter in which the planned takeover of Willis by rival Aon collapsed.

In his new role, Steve Powney will report into Willis’ global head of surety, Scott Hull.

This year deals will continue to increase but ESG, inflation and supply chain issues bring complexity.

Heinicke brings over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, most recently spending over 11 years at Aon Bermuda.