Marine Insurance Brokerage Makes Key Appointments

Willis North America, a unit of Willis Group Holdings, the global insurance broker with operations in Virginia, appoints two Client Advocates.

Jeremy Sykes and Francesca Sykes have been appointed Client Advocates of the Willis Marine Practice, Willis of Virginia. They will be responsible for business development within the Marine Practice. Mr. Sykes and Ms. Sykes will also work to expand Willis’ footprint in the Virginia marketplace and align the company’s global resources to deliver outstanding risk management services to firms in the Marine industry.
 
Commenting on these appointments,  HB Whitmore, Managing Partner, Willis of Virginia said, “The expansion of the Willis Marine Practice in Virginia’s Hampton Roads area brings local expertise and service to both maritime and cargo industries doing business in eastern Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region. That we were able to place two highly qualified and notable experts -- as Francesca Sykes and Jeremy Sykes -- at the helm of this endeavor is an extra bonus. They are an ideal team and we are delighted to have them on board.”

Prior to joining Willis, Mr. Sykes served as a Senior Underwriter with ProSight Specialty Insurance, a marine broker with Marsh USA, Inc. and Ms. Sykes’s as Marine Subrogation Claims Specialist with Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty.  Based in Norfolk, VA, they will report to Mr. Whitmore.

Willis is a trusted name in marine insurance, with expertise in hull, cargo and general marine liabilities. Willis of Virginia, Inc., which is headquartered in Richmond, includes approximately 100 Associates with additional offices in Norfolk and Reston.