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Willis to cut the chaff in UK overhaul

14th May

Willis is to overhaul its UK retail business over the next 18 months in a bid to drive efficiency and remove "waste" from the company.

The broker is initially focusing on its commercial regions branch network and has signed a deal with Acturis to implement a new IT infrastructure to facilitate the move.

Chris Lee-Smith, change and strategy director for Willis UK and Ireland, said the Acturis platform will support the streamlining of business processes and administration as part of a wider programme to move Willis to a new operating model.

He told Post: "This is about removing waste and non-productive time through the use of automation but it goes further than a technological solution. We are looking to refine our business across our major account unit and other areas of the business.

"There will be a shift from staff doing low-value activities to more high-end client-facing roles." He added it was too early to confirm whether the changes will impact staff numbers.

Within six months, Willis Commercial Network members will also have access to products via the Acturis system. Mr Lee-Smith said members using the platform provided by SSP, Willis' current network technology partner, will not lose out on product availability.

Brendan McManus, Willis UK chief executive, commented: "This transformation of the UK business is a key project to future proof our business and to deliver consistent margin improvement over the next five years."

Willis will initially add more than 250 users to the Acturis system across its nine commercial offices. In 2010, it will roll it out to the mid-market and major accounts area. By the end of the year, Willis said more than 700 users will be on the system.

Acturis won the deal in a tender process that started in July 2008 with eight candidates.

Theo Duchen, Acturis co-CEO, said the contract marked its biggest broker win to date, adding: "The selection process was the toughest and most thorough we have ever been through, and this degree of project rigour will stand us in good stead for the future.

"We are confident that this project will deliver the required benefits to Willis as an organisation."

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