defa14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only |
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Under §240.14a-12 |
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Willis Group Holdings Limited
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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Total fee paid: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the
offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing
by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the
date of its filing. |
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Amount previously paid: |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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Date Filed: |
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The memorandum below is expected to be mailed to shareholders of record on November 25, 2009.
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Date
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November 23, 2009 |
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To
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Shareholders of record of Willis Group Holdings Limited |
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From
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Willis Group Holdings Limited |
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Transfer ownership of your common shares into a broker or other
nominee account prior to December 31, 2009 |
You are receiving this communication because you currently hold common shares of Willis Group
Holdings Limited (the Company) directly or of record. The Company suggests that you transfer
your common shares into a broker or other nominee account before December 31, 2009 in
advance of the Companys move to Ireland.
As detailed in the proxy statement regarding the Companys redomestication to Ireland (the
Redomestication), the Company is making this recommendation because, under Irish law, shares of
Irish incorporated companies (which the Company will become if the Redomestication is approved)
that are held of record, as yours are, are subject to Irish stamp duty when transferred. Irish
stamp duty does not generally apply however when shares are held by a broker in street name and
are transferred through the Depository Trust Company (DTC) system.
Therefore, we recommend that you change the nature of your ownership from direct or of record to
beneficial ownership in street name by moving your Company common shares to a broker or other
nominee account before the effective time of the Redomestication (the Effective Time). This
should prevent your common shares from being subject to Irish stamp duty for transfers made after
the Effective Time, so long as your shares, if sold, are transferred in street name also through
the DTC system. Please consult your broker or other financial advisor for more information on
how to make this change. Further, you should consult your own tax advisor as to the tax effects of
transferring your Company common shares as the Company and its agents cannot provide you tax
advice.
For further details regarding the Redomestication or Irish stamp duty, you should carefully review
the proxy statement filed on November 2, 2009 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
SEC). The proxy statement is available free of charge at the SECs website (www.sec.gov)
and at the Companys website (www.willis.com). You may also obtain, without charge, a copy of the
proxy statement by directing a request by mail or telephone to Company Secretary, c/o Office of the
General Counsel, Willis Group Holdings Limited, One World Financial Center, 200 Liberty Street, New
York, New York 10281-1003 or 1 (212) 915-8888.