WTW beefs up North America broking team with key hire from Howden

Global broker  WTW (Willis Towers Watson) has bolstered its North America broker relations team with three major appointments, including a senior hire from Howden.

Joe LaRocco has been appointed head of industry – broking, North America, to lead a recently established industry broking segment. LaRocco will remain a member of the WTW Corporate Risk and Broking North America leadership team, and help drive the delivery of specialized insurance solutions and intellectual capital to clients.

James O’Connor rejoins WTW as head of carrier management, North America, from Dual Group, a division of Howden, where he most recently served as chief executive officer of North America.

In his new role, O’Connor will lead the Corporate Risk & Broking North American segment, focusing on expanding insurer distribution channels, creating client-centric insurance solutions, and overseeing corporate relationships with global insurers. Based in Atlanta, O’Connor will provide leadership across WTW’s broking organisation, and will be a member of WTW’s Corporate Risk and Broking North America leadership team.

Finally, Krista Cinotti has been named head of middle market broking. She will also oversee the select broking segment, which manages WTW’s small business offerings, and retain her North America Steering Committee position on the Broking Platform. Prior to her appointment, Cinotti ran the middle market broking East Region.

Jon Drummond, head of broking for North America, said: “Joe is an exceptional leader at WTW, with deep experience assessing industry-specific characteristics that translate into bespoke insurance solutions for our global clients. Our vision is to recreate how brokers develop, aggregate and deliver intellectual capital to clients operating within unique industry verticals.”

He added: “Krista is respected internally and externally as an innovative, collaborative, and results-driven leader who will deliver premier broking solutions and a modernized broking experience for our clients in the middle market and select segments.”

Mike Liss, head of Corporate Risk and Broking, North America, said: “O’Connor is distinguished throughout the industry for his ability to successfully drive and execute change. In this role, he will help WTW achieve its goals of growing, simplifying and transforming the business,” said

Drummond noted: “Jim is a proven leader with the vision, drive, and energy to propel our team forward. We look forward to the innovative insurance solutions he will develop for our client base.”

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