Aon unveils key leadership changes to accelerate 'Aon United' growth strategy

Re/insurance broker Aon has announced a series of key leadership changes, including the departure of co-president Michael O'Connor, in a move it hopes will accelerate its "Aon United" growth strategy.

Under the company's new model, Aon will name a single CEO of each of its four regions - North America, Latin America, EMEA and Asia Pacific - who will be accountable for going to market as one, fully-integrated firm. Regional leadership teams will work across solution lines and will collaborate with global solution line leaders to set the firm's enterprise-wide solution development priorities.

Eric Andersen will become the new president of Aon, reporting to CEO Greg Case. He will take on the reporting responsibility for global solution line leaders and new regional CEOs. He will also lead an internal and external search to appoint regional CEOs.

O'Connor, co-president of Aon, and Liam Caffrey, CEO of affinity, are leaving the company to pursue new opportunities. Andersen and O'Connor previously served as co-presidents since May 2018.

Furthermore, John Bruno will take on the additional role of chief operating officer of Aon, reporting to Case. In that capacity, he will continue to lead development of the firm's Aon Business Services platform. Bruno will also continue as CEO of data & analytic services and add the firm's technology-enabled affinity offerings to that portfolio.

All the changes will be effective from March 1.

"Our firm has made tremendous progress in our Aon United journey, but there is still so much we can and will accomplish together," said Aon CEO Greg Case. "Eric is a true believer in the power of Aon United and passionate about the value it creates for clients. His leadership will be critical in fulfilling the potential of one firm."

Case added: "We will continue to accelerate the application of new technologies to drive growth and make it easier for our colleagues to help clients make better decisions. John's experience as a technologist and business leader gives him a unique appreciation for how we can apply technology to increase operating leverage that powers the Aon United Blueprint and delivers more value to clients."

"Mike was an early advocate of Aon United and has built a lasting legacy in his time at Aon. I'm personally grateful to Mike for always putting clients first and for his tireless efforts to execute on their behalf. We are a better firm because of his leadership and I wish him all the best as he begins a new and exciting chapter of his impressive career.

"I'd also like to recognize Liam Caffrey for his contributions to the firm. Liam has played several high-impact finance and operational roles in his time at Aon. I wish him all the best as he explores opportunities outside the firm and am grateful for the strong team he built in our global Affinity business."

Andersen said: I'm energized by the opportunity to work more closely with Greg to further align our team around the Aon United Blueprint. Our colleagues are experiencing the client value that comes with working together more closely across solution lines and geographies and I am committed to building on that momentum."