Willis sells subsidiary to Allianz

Willis has sold its Businesscare business located in Preston, which focuses on micro and small enterprises, to Allianz as part of a deal that includes an Allianz company joining its commercial network.

Allianz owned company, Allianz Business Services, trading as Premierline, has joined the Willis Commercial Network (WCN), the partnership between independent UK insurance brokers, Willis and insurers.

Sara Fardon, managing director of Willis Commercial Network, said: “I am thrilled to welcome ABSL to the Willis Commercial Network and I look forward to working closely with them as they expand their business into this market.”

Steve Hearn, deputy chief executive officer of Willis, added: “In the UK we are focused on delivering the very best of Willis’s global expertise and capabilities to be highly responsive to the needs of our corporate and complex clients. Willis Commercial Network is dedicated to servicing the small and medium sized (SME) business arena in the UK. This transaction supports that strategy and builds on our already thriving partnership of UK independent brokers.”

David Martin, director, SME markets, Allianz Commercial, said: “Joining Willis Commercial Network and buying the Businesscare branch office is a natural next step, as we align our business model to meet the changing demands of the micro and small business market. We are looking forward to providing a more advice-based solution to the customers who require it and maximising the leads that we generate by running a panel of insurers.”