Willis completes CKA acquisition

Willis Australia, part of broker Willis, has completed its acquisition of broker CKA Risk Solutions.

Perth-based CKA is an independent broker focused on medium to large-sized corporates, especially within the mining and natural resources industries.

Willis said the acquisition complements its existing business by widening the talent pool of risk experts focussed on the global natural resources, industrial and commercial sectors and by growing its client service capabilities in Western Australia significantly.

The combined firm will employ more than 65 associates, who will work together in the existing CKA office and will initially trade as Willis CKA.

CKA director Stuart McLean will take on the role of Western Australia general manager for the newly combined business and will join the Willis Australasia operating committee.

Roger Wilkinson, chief executive officer of Willis Australasia, said: “This is the biggest change for Willis Australia in many years and gives us a leading position in the western region, where we see high growth potential, especially in natural resources.

“CKA is a hugely respected business with a skilled team posting consistently strong results in a challenging sector. They have an outstanding customer-first ethos and many of their clients will benefit from the global service and expanded range of risk solutions that Willis can offer.

“Willis and CKA have a firm foundation of shared values and a common culture. That will be critical in helping drive us forward as we develop our business together.”

John Carrigg, one of CKA’s founding directors, said: “After 11 years of client-focussed service delivery and sustained business growth from our Western Australian base, we were keen to accelerate the expansion of our business nationally and internationally, along with strengthening our footprint in Western Australia.

“In Willis, we believe we’ve found the ideal partner. We are excited by the benefits and opportunities that this partnership will bring to our clients, prospective clients and staff.

“Specifically, we are excited by the prospect of a unique and powerful business that combines CKA’s well-known customer-first ethos, together with the Willis commitment to client advocacy and integrity, its geographic depth and its associated resources and expertise.”