Sound Growth Strategy—Willis Group and Towers Watson Merger Announced

Towers Watson and Willis Group Holdings have announced a planned merger of the two companies at the end of this year. This is a major announcement for two big players in the HR services business and the potential synergies that can be found in this merger will be a large boon to the newly merged company's HR consulting capabilities, particularly within its benefits service line.

The merger gives TW's advisory practice access to Willis's resources as a global insurance company as well as a significantly increased client list within the middle market. On the flip slide, Willis's capabilities will be of even greater accessibility to the US market, leveraging current TW relationships. Willis clients will also enjoy the added benefit of TW's Exchange Solutions capability, assisting their employees in more easily navigating the increasingly complex public and private health insurance marketplaces. TW's other HR advisory services will also most certainly be utilized by the Willis client base as well, as ease of access to these capabilities will be much greater upon completion of the merger.