LONDON, April 10, 2014 - - In a speech delivered today at Lloyd’s to the Insurance Institute of London, Greg Case, president and CEO of Aon plc (NYSE:AON), highlighted the critical importance of Lloyd’s and London to the global risk management industry and the increasing value provided by global brokers. Case also reaffirmed Aon’s commitment to the first-ever insurance and risk management industry apprenticeship program.

In his remarks, Case said, “There is no doubt in the mind of Aon and our clients that Lloyd’s and London is the epicenter of the global risk management industry and a major reason why Aon moved its headquarters here. It is important that we be here in London, closer to this leading insurance market and closer to our clients in EMEA and Asia, key areas where we are experiencing substantial client growth.”

He added, “Lloyd’s and the London market are more important than ever with a resilience and strength that comes from its deep history, its unparalleled level of expertise, and the connectivity that exists between brokers, underwriters and clients. The vibrancy of the city, the diversity of its economy, and the capability of talent are all strong qualities that made our decision to be here very clear.

“London simply has no equal as a city when it comes to the highest concentration of insurance market partners. Where can you go when you need to help a client that is creating a wave technology machine that absorbs the energy of ocean waves and converts it into electricity? Where can you go when you need to help a client facilitate insurance for an acquisition of over 30 oil rigs? And where can you go when your client needs help getting property casualty directly following a devastating earthquake? The answer is the same to all three questions – Lloyd’s and London!”

Case welcomed the strong partnerships Aon has created in the London market to create the first ever industry-wide apprenticeship program. The scheme will provide training and career fulfillment for young people in the U.K. and build a talent pipeline for the insurance and risk management industry for the next generation. “The Aon apprenticeship program will team with our industry partners in an effort led by Dominic Christian and his team and will in fact offer apprentices the opportunity to earn while they learn and a concentrated approach to marketing our industry to schools and would-be apprentices,” he said. “Our goal is to produce talented world-class professionals ready to take on some of the world’s most exciting issues on the topic of risk and people. But most importantly, success in the program will come from industry collaboration and the strong partnerships between brokers and markets. Together we can make it a great time to be an apprentice in London and in our industry.”

Addressing the future role of risk advisors, Case said, “At Aon we believe the opportunity for risk advisors, for brokers and our partners is bright. Our services and expertise are needed more than ever. But we cannot afford to become complacent.”

Case cited the need for risk advisors to remain focused on their clients, to provide clients with a long-term perspective, and to continue to invest in innovation. He said: “As risk advisors, if we do not provide value to clients, we won’t succeed and we won’t survive. However, by contrast, when we do succeed for clients, when we are competitive in London, we bring with our success clients and premium from all over the world. We hope that you see working with Aon, working side by side to bring innovation and new solutions to the industry as an opportunity to tap more deeply into our $100 billion plus of client need. Collectively, our challenge, and our opportunity, is to become even more valuable advisers, because the world requires our expertise to manage the difficult challenges before us.”

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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 66,000 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. 

David Prosperi
+1.312.381.2485
david.prosperi@aon.com