SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): May 13, 2004
WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in Charter)
BERMUDA 001-16503 98-0352587
(Jurisdiction of incorporation (Commission File (IRS Employer
or organization) Number) Identification No.)
Ten Trinity Square
London EC3P 3AX, England
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: +44 20 7488 8111
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Item 5. Other Events
On May 13, 2004, Willis Group Holdings Limited issued a press release
announcing the appointment of Gordon Bethune, chairman of the board and
chief executive officer of Continental Airlines, to its Board of
Directors. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) The following document is filed as an exhibit to this report
on Form 8-K:
99.1 Press Release dated May 13, 2004 of Willis Group Holdings Limited
.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED
By: /s/ Mary E. Caiazzo
--------------------
Mary E. Caiazzo
Assistant General Counsel
Dated: May 13, 2004
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number Title
99.1 Press Release dated May 13, 2004, of Willis Group Holdings Limited
EXHIBIT 99.1
Willis Group Appoints Gordon Bethune to Board of Directors
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 2004--Willis Group Holdings,
Limited (NYSE:WSH), the global insurance broker, today announces the
appointment of Gordon Bethune, chairman of the board and chief
executive officer of Continental Airlines, to its Board of Directors.
With his management of Continental, the nation's fifth-largest
airline, Bethune has proven himself a world-class business leader.
Under his direction, the airline has experienced international growth
and expansion while winning more awards for customer satisfaction than
any other airline. Continental's record over the last several years is
a clear illustration that great companies can grow without sacrificing
quality.
Welcoming Bethune to the Board, Joe Plumeri, Chairman and CEO
said, "I am delighted Gordon has accepted our invitation to join our
Board. Under his leadership, Continental Airlines has won a wide range
of accolades for its business management and unflinching commitment to
customer service. The results he has achieved at Continental prove
that growth and quality are not mutually exclusive. He has nurtured
Continental into a highly-regarded brand by many different measures
and we look forward to his contribution to Willis."
Bethune joined the airline in February 1994 as president and chief
operating officer. He was named chief executive officer in November
1994 and chairman of the board in September 1996. Prior to joining
Continental, he was vice president and general manager of the Boeing
Commercial Airplane Group's Renton Division, where he was responsible
for the 737 and 757 airplanes. He began his career with Boeing in
1988, and also served as that company's vice president and general
manager of the customer services division.
Bethune holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Abilene Christian
University at Dallas and is a 1992 graduate of Harvard Business
School's Advanced Management Program.
He is a licensed commercial pilot, type-rated on Boeing 757 and
767 aircraft as well as the DC-3. Bethune also is licensed as an
airframe and power plant mechanic. He serves on the boards of
directors of Honeywell International and Sprint Corporation.
Willis Group Holdings Limited is a leading global insurance
broker, developing and delivering professional insurance, reinsurance,
risk management, financial and human resource consulting and actuarial
services to corporations, public entities and institutions around the
world. With over 300 offices in some 80 countries, its global team of
14,500 Associates serves clients in some 180 countries. Additional
information on Willis may be found on its web site www.willis.com.
CONTACT: Willis Group Holdings, Limited
Investors:
Kerry Calaiaro, 212-837-0880
calaiaro_ke@willis.com
or
Media:
Nick Jones, + 44 20 7488-8190
jonesnr@willis.com
Dan Prince, 212-837-0806
prince_da@willis.com