Willis launches global risk engineering team to boost client resilience

Willis Launches Global Risk Engineering Team to Boost Client Resilience

In a strategic move to fortify client defenses against evolving risks, Willis, a leading business unit of global advisory and broking firm WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), announced the launch of its new Global Risk Engineering team on September 9, 2025. This initiative expands the company’s Global Risk & Analytics (R&A) business, leveraging advanced technology and data to deliver specialized risk assessments and enhance organizational resilience worldwide.

The Launch: Consolidating Expertise for Enhanced Specialization

The Global Risk Engineering team represents a consolidation and elevation of Willis’s engineering capabilities, designed to provide clients with industry-leading solutions powered by proprietary data, advanced analytics, and technology-enabled tools. Operating across 30 countries—including North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific, and Latin America—the team boasts nearly 200 risk engineers offering both single-site and portfolio-level assessments.

These assessments aim to equip clients with deeper insights into their risk profiles, fostering greater resilience and measurable reductions in their total cost of risk (TCOR). Marc Hindman, Head of Risk Control & Claims Advocacy at Willis R&A, emphasized the significance of the launch: “We’re delighted to launch our new Global Risk Engineering proposition, which represents a significant step forward in how we deliver value to clients.” He added that it reinforces Willis’s commitment to “differentiated, technology-driven risk engineering solutions that strengthen resilience, lower TCOR, improve risk quality, and empower organizations to make smarter, data-led decisions with confidence.”

The announcement comes at a time when businesses face increasingly complex risks, from supply chain disruptions to cyber threats and climate-related hazards, making proactive engineering solutions more critical than ever.

Background: WTW’s Risk & Analytics Evolution

Willis, part of WTW since the 2021 merger of Willis Towers Watson, has long been a powerhouse in insurance broking and risk management, serving 95% of FTSE 100 companies and 91% of Fortune Global 500 firms. The Global Risk & Analytics division, which this team expands, focuses on data-driven strategies to quantify, mitigate, and transfer risks, including tools like Risk Intelligence Quantified (Risk IQ) launched in 2022 for market entry, stress testing, and M&A assessments.

Recent WTW initiatives underscore a broader push into specialized risk services. In July 2025, Willis introduced the “Undercover” facility, a $200 million insurance product addressing geopolitical risks for cargo owners, developed with Markel. Earlier in 2025, the firm launched a dedicated technology sector risk advisory practice in Australia and appointed Daphne Duan as Director of Strategic Risk Consulting for Asia. These efforts align with WTW’s emphasis on advanced analytics, as seen in its 2024 P&C Insurance Advanced Analytics Survey Report for Asia Pacific and ongoing climate risk management solutions.

The new team builds on WTW’s risk control engineering services, which already help clients optimize workers’ compensation and reduce loss exposure across industries. By integrating global expertise with local knowledge, Willis aims to address the multifaceted risks of modern enterprises, from regulatory compliance to supply chain vulnerabilities.

Expert Opinions and Industry Reactions: A Step Forward in Risk Management

Industry analysts have welcomed the launch as a timely enhancement to WTW’s offerings. John Merkovsky, WTW’s Global Head of Data and Analytics, has previously highlighted the role of tools like Risk IQ in empowering risk specialists, a theme echoed in this engineering expansion. At events like RIMS 2025 RISKWORLD, WTW showcased similar innovations, including live demos of cyber risk quantification tools, signaling strong demand for data-led solutions.

Public reactions on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and industry forums have been positive, with professionals praising the focus on TCOR reduction and resilience in an era of geopolitical uncertainty. One expert commented on the launch, noting it positions Willis as a leader in “proactive risk engineering,” especially amid rising challenges like those outlined in WTW’s Emerging and Interconnected Risks survey. No significant backlash has surfaced, though some observers call for details on implementation timelines and integration with existing WTW tools.

Impact on U.S. Readers: Economic Resilience and Business Strategy

For U.S. businesses and executives, this launch offers enhanced tools to navigate domestic and global risks, from natural catastrophes to cyber threats—issues WTW addresses through its Natural Catastrophe Review and climate risk analytics. Economically, it could lower operational costs for Fortune 500 clients by optimizing insurance and mitigation strategies, potentially saving millions in TCOR amid inflation and supply chain pressures.

Lifestyle and professional impacts include greater confidence in decision-making for risk managers, aligning with WTW’s emphasis on aligning emerging risks with strategy. Politically neutral, the initiative ties into broader U.S. discussions on regulatory compliance and ESG-linked incentives in sectors like banking. Technologically, it leverages AI and analytics for smarter risk profiling, relevant for tech-savvy industries. Sports and entertainment firms, key WTW clients, may benefit from tailored assessments for event risks or venue safety.

Conclusion: Strengthening Global Risk Strategies

Willis’s launch of the Global Risk Engineering team on September 9, 2025, marks a pivotal expansion of its R&A business, empowering clients worldwide with advanced, data-driven solutions to build resilience and reduce costs. Led by experts like Marc Hindman, this initiative consolidates global capabilities to deliver actionable insights in an unpredictable landscape.

Looking ahead, expect deeper integration with WTW’s analytics platforms, potentially driving further innovations in risk management. For U.S. and international businesses, it’s a timely boost to fortify against uncertainties, ensuring sustainable growth and competitive edge.