UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 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): April 14, 2005
Willis Group Holdings Limited
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Bermuda
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
001-16503 98-0352587
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(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
c/o Willis Group Limited
Ten Trinity Square
London EC3P 3AX, England
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(44) (20) 7488-8111
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(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not Applicable
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
[] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
(17 CFR 230.425)
[] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 8. 01 Other Events
On April 14, 2005 Willis Group Holdings Limited issued a press release
announcing the closing of the previously announced acquisition by American
Wholesale Insurance Group, Inc. of Stewart Smith Group, Willis' U.S. wholesale
unit. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The press release is attached
as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits.
99.1 Press Release of WGHL dated April 14, 2005.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED
Date: April 14, 2005 By: /s/ Mary E. Caiazzo
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Name: Mary E. Caiazzo
Title: Assistant General Counsel
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
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99.1 Press Release of WGHL dated April 14, 2005
Exhibit 99.1
Willis Group Completes Sale of Stewart Smith Group to American Wholesale
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 14, 2005--Willis Group Holdings
(NYSE: WSH), the global insurance broker, and American Wholesale
Insurance Group, Inc (AmWINS), the largest independent wholesale
insurance broker in North America, announced today the closing of the
previously announced acquisition by AmWINS of Stewart Smith Group,
Willis' U.S. wholesale unit. Terms of the transaction were not
disclosed.
"We are pleased that in American Wholesale we have found a company
and a management team committed to continuing to grow this line of
business," said Joe Plumeri, Willis Group Chairman and CEO. "Our
divesting Stewart Smith is consistent with staying true to our mission
of focusing our attention and resources on growing our core retail
operations."
"Bringing together Stewart Smith with our existing brokerage
operation makes great sense," said M. Steven DeCarlo, AmWINS President
and Chief Executive Officer. "This transaction continues what we
started almost three years ago - providing solutions exclusively to
retail agents and brokers. The difference now: we have broader
geographic presence, expanded people power, practice teams, and a well
established and trusted trading relationship with brokers across the
country."
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 over 100 countries, its global team of
14,500 Associates serves clients in 180 countries. Willis is publicly
traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WSH. Additional
information on Willis may be found on its web site: www.willis.com.
AmWINS (www.amwins.com) is a wholesale insurance organization
dedicated to serving retail agents throughout the United States by
providing property and casualty, group life and health, program
administration services, and actuarial service capabilities.
CONTACT: Willis Group Holdings Limited
Investors:
Kerry K. Calaiaro, +1-212-837-0880
calaiaro_ke@willis.com
or
Media:
Dan Prince, +1-212-837-0806
prince_da@willis.com
or
AmWINS
Gregg Calestini, +1-704-943-2004
gregg.calestini@amwins.com