LONDON, 22 August 2013 – Aon Hewitt, the global talent, retirement and health solutions business of Aon plc (NYSE:AON), has been appointed by Lookers plc to provide a range of services to its defined benefit pension schemes.

Lookers plc is a leading automotive retailer and distributor with dealerships across the UK. Its two defined benefit pension schemes, the Lookers Pension Plan and the Dutton-Forshaw Group Pension Plan, have a membership of nearly 5,000 between them, and combined assets of around £140 million. Aon Hewitt will be supplying fully integrated services, including actuarial advice, investment consulting and pension administration, as the two schemes look to harmonise the way they are managed.

Glenda MacGeekie, group solicitor and company secretary, Lookers plc, said:
“The decision to select Aon Hewitt as a full service provider to our defined benefit pension schemes was based on two factors.  First, the trustees were confident that with Aon Hewitt they would benefit from large firm expertise and knowledge, administration efficiencies and systems, as well as investment research and experience.  Secondly, the trustees were impressed with each individual member of the Aon Hewitt team.  The team is very approachable and their diligence, enthusiasm, knowledge, experience and technical ability are proving to be outstanding.  With the support from the training, advice and information the trustees also receive from Aon Hewitt, they feel more confident and better placed to fulfill their duties.”

Russell Agius, partner at Aon Hewitt, said:
"The challenges faced by the Lookers' schemes are typical of many we are seeing in the market. Given current economic conditions, they are looking to bring together the services they need both to maintain the schemes and to get the best value for their members.

"Our experience is that there are currently plenty of opportunities and options for medium-sized schemes, and particularly where an employer has more than one scheme.  With the combined expertise of our services, we can empower the Lookers' schemes to focus on what is important for them at present while still setting in place the right arrangements to meet their long-term aims."
 

Media Contact: 
Colin Mayes                                  Giles Abbott
 Aon Hewitt                                   Capital MSL
 01372 733689                              020 7307 5340
 colin.mayes@aonhewitt.com         giles.abbott@capitalmsl.com

Notes to editors

About Aon Hewitt

Aon Hewitt empowers organisations and individuals to secure a better future through innovative talent, retirement and health solutions. We advise, design and execute a wide range of solutions that enable clients to cultivate talent to drive organisational and personal performance and growth, navigate risk while providing new levels of financial security, and redefine health solutions for greater choice, affordability and wellness.  Aon Hewitt is the global leader in human resource solutions, with over 30,000 professionals in 90 countries serving more than 20,000 clients worldwide.  For more information on Aon Hewitt, please visit www.aonhewitt.com.

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About Aon
Aon plc (NYSE:AON) is the leading global provider of risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing services. Through its more than 65,000 colleagues worldwide, Aon unites to empower results for clients in over 120 countries via innovative and effective risk and people solutions and through industry-leading global resources and technical expertise. Aon has been named repeatedly as the world’s best broker, best insurance intermediary, reinsurance intermediary, captives manager and best employee benefits consulting firm by multiple industry sources. Visit www.aon.com for more information on Aon and www.aon.com/manchesterunited to learn about Aon’s global partnership and shirt sponsorship with Manchester United.