Willis is set to become one of the largest insurance brokers in Western Australia after buying CKA Risk Solutions, which was established in Perth 11 years ago.
Willis is set to become one of the largest insurance brokers in Western Australia after buying CKA Risk Solutions, which was established in Perth 11 years ago.
The combined business will have 65 brokers, ranking it at number four on the BNiQ list of WA insurance brokers compiled by Business News.
The acquisition was announced by New York Stock Exchange-listed Willis Group Holdings, which has 18,000 employees across 400 offices globally.
Willis Group said CKA would complement its existing business in WA and significantly enhance its client service capabilities.
CKA was established as an independent broker focused on medium to large-sized corporates, particularly in the mining and resource sectors.
Its co-founders came out of global firms - John Carrigg was formerly managing principal in Perth with Marsh, while Naser Kerimi was formerly an account director in Perth with Aon Risk Services.
It has 45 insurance brokers on its team, according to BNiQ, while Willis Australia has 19 brokers in WA.
Willis Australasia chief executive Roger Wilkinson said the acquisition would be the biggest change for the group in Australia in many years.
“It gives us a leading position in the western region, where we see high growth potential, especially in natural resources,” Mr Wilkinson said in a statement.
“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.”
CKA co-founder and director John Carrigg said that after 11 years of sustained business growth, “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.”
The combined business will work from the existing CKA office, in the former Walsh’s Building at 88 William St, and will initially trade as Willis CKA.
CKA director Stuart McLean will become Western Australia General Manager for the newly combined business and will join the Willis Australasia operating committee.
The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The largest insurance brokers in WA are Jardine Lloyd Thompson, Reliance Group and EBM Insurance Brokers, according to the BNiQ database.
