WTW’s Asia Pacific merger triggers leadership shake up amid ‘volatile’ market

Global broker  WTW has merged its Asia and Australasia operations into one Asia Pacific region with effect from January 1, triggering a leadership reshuffle and departure of a top officer. The move is designed to help unlock potential synergies across markets with more efficiency amidst an “increasingly complex” and “volatile” market.

The combination of these operations will see its current head of Asia, Clare Muhiudeen, retire and leave WTW in February following a handover to Simon Weaver (Pictured). Muhiudeen has served WTW for almost 20 years and was appointed head of Asia in November 2021.

Weaver, the former head of Australasia, will take on the new role as head of Asia Pacific. Based in Australia, he will be responsible for driving business growth throughout the newly integrated region, enabling closer collaboration across the businesses to deliver superior advice, broking and solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital to organisations in the region.

Reporting to Pamela Thomson-Hall, head of international at WTW, Weaver will continue to hold his existing role as head of Corporate Risk and Broking (CRB) in Asia Pacific.

Weaver has over 30 years of risk management and insurance broking industry expertise across the UK, Asia and Australasia. He joined WTW in 2015 as head of Singapore and South East Asia and subsequently led the CRB business in Asia and Australasia regions respectively before assuming his current position in 2018.

Thomson-Hall said: “As clients navigate an increasingly complex and fast-shifting global economy, it is important that WTW maintains its agility and continues to adapt to these changing needs. The creation of a single Asia Pacific region will help to unlock potential synergies across markets and increase operational efficiency.”

She added: “Simon’s leadership across WTW Australasia has been inspirational amid volatile market conditions. I have utmost confidence that his client-first, strategic and forward-thinking approach will foster increased regional collaboration and strengthen the delivery of our client offerings as one Asia Pacific. At the same time, I would also like to thank Clare whose leadership, contribution and dedication has been invaluable to WTW for the best part of 40 years.”

Weaver commented: “I am excited to be given the opportunity to lead our colleagues across Asia and Australasia under the new Asia Pacific region. This combination will be key to maximising WTW’s ability to connect and collaborate without losing the uniqueness of our business segments. I look forward to contributing to a new phase of growth as we continue to deliver data-driven, insight-led solutions that help companies address today’s complex challenges.”

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