Global firm looks to bolster UK property abilities
Willis Towers Watson (WTW), a global insurance and risk management firm, has made a series of senior appointments to its UK real estate team, reflecting a strategic expansion of its property advisory capabilities.
Lauren McKay and Liam Hebron have joined the firm as directors based in London.
Craig Johnson has been appointed executive director in Manchester, and Shaun Grainger has been named development director in the newly formed residential real estate team, also in London. All four report to Paul Turnbull, WTW’s UK managing director for real estate.
The appointments come as UK property insurers face rising claims driven by climate-related events. According to Deloitte, property insurance payouts in the UK reached £5.5 billion in 2024 - the highest since 2007 - with weather-related claims accounting for approximately £1.2 billion. These are projected to represent 22% of total property insurance payouts for the year.
UK real estate focus
WTW’s real estate business provides advisory and insurance placement services to clients including real estate investment trusts (REITs), private equity firms, institutional investors, pension funds and landlords. Its areas of focus include property, construction and development insurance, legal indemnities, and environmental liability.
The firm has highlighted the growing need for risk-adjusted strategies in light of climate exposures, valuation uncertainty, regulatory shifts, and investor scrutiny across both residential and commercial real estate sectors.
The new appointments add experience across property development, financial lines, and asset protection:
- Lauren McKay joins from CBRE, where she worked on client solutions and business development across enterprise accounts, property and asset management, and transactions. She will focus on supporting pan-European landlords and investors.
- Liam Hebron brings experience in management liability and insurance regulation from previous roles at Gallagher and Axco. His remit includes new business development and programme structuring.
- Craig Johnson, based in Manchester, has held prior roles at Lockton and Marsh, advising developers and contractors. He will work on insurance placement and regional risk programmes, including Owner-Controlled Insurance Programmes (OCIPs) in northern England and Scotland.
- Shaun Grainger joins the residential real estate team with a background in insurance and financial services, focusing on the build-to-rent sector and large portfolio investors.
Company overview
WTW operates in over 140 countries and employs approximately 47,000 people globally. The company generated $9.5 billion in revenue in 2023. It was formed through the 2016 merger of Willis Group and Towers Watson. In the UK, WTW has a longstanding presence in property risk and reinsurance markets, with offices in London, Manchester, Bristol, and Edinburgh.
The firm places over $120 billion in annual insurance premiums globally and provides consulting services in risk, brokerage, human capital, and investment advisory. Its real estate practice is one of several sector-focused specialisms, alongside energy, construction, marine, and financial services.
WTW's real estate division has seen increased demand for resilience modelling, coverage structuring, and ESG-driven risk assessment, as real estate investors seek to navigate ongoing volatility in underwriting conditions and property valuations.
