Willis Towers Watson (WTW) has appointed Victor Ganzi as its new chairman.

Effective 1 January 2019, Ganzi will succeed James McCann, who will complete his current term as chairman of the board, three years after the merger of Willis and Towers Watson.

WTW said that McCann will continue to serve as a director and as chairman of the nominating and governance committee after he steps down from his position as chairman.

Ganzi has been a director of Willis Towers Watson since the January 2016 merger, although his service with the company dates back to 2010 when he served as chairman of Towers Watson’s audit committee and as a member of its nominating and governance committee.

In addition, WTW announced that Brendan O’Neill will become chairman of the audit committee, replacing Ganzi in that position. O’Neill has served as a director since January 2010.

Commenting on the announcement, WTW CEO John Haley, said: “Jim served as chairman of the board during the three-year period when Willis Towers Watson built a successful, integrated and leading advisory, broking and solutions company. Both I and the board would like to take this opportunity to thank Jim for his efforts in support of our company since 2004 and to wish him every future success.”

“As we look to the next phase of our company’s evolution, Victor brings considerable experience and insight to the company and we are delighted to announce his appointment as chairman of the board, effective January 1, 2019,” he added.

Ganzi remarked: “Three years after the merger, Willis Towers Watson has made excellent progress in delivering on its integration goals and driving sustainable, profitable revenue growth across the business. Our ability to deliver on the merger’s strategic rationale, namely our integrated approach to people and risk and a uniquely holistic perspective on client needs, is central to our continued success. I am very much looking forward to building on the foundation created over the past three years and taking our company to the next level.” 

McCann said: “I am immensely proud of what we have achieved at Willis Towers Watson in recent years, and glad to have played a leading role in delivering on the 2016 merger and its subsequent progress. It’s been a pleasure to lead the Board through this transformational time in the company’s development and I know that Victor and the rest of the leadership team will continue to lead the company to even greater future success.”