Marsh exec Donnelly to join WTW as Chang replacement to lead NA Risk & Broking

By David Bull

Jan 30 - (The Insurer) - WTW has brought in Pat Donnelly from Marsh as head of Risk & Broking (R&B) for North America, effectively replacing Michael Chang following his exit late last year, The Insurer understands.

According to sources, Donnelly, who was most recently president for Marsh Specialty and global placement, was announced internally by WTW’s R&B chairman Adam Garrard on Thursday morning.

His role at Marsh included oversight of Marsh Specialty’s global business including specialties such as aviation and space, construction, credit specialties, energy and power, financial and professional lines, marine, cargo and logistics, and private equity, M&A.

The executive also managed Marsh’s global placement capabilities, with oversight of all retail and international placement hubs, portfolio solutions and insurer consulting, climate and sustainability, captive solutions, and claims, according to the giant intermediary’s website.

At WTW he will reunite with Lucy Clarke, who left Marsh to take the role of president of WTW’s R&B business globally.

Both came over to Marsh with its acquisition of JLT in 2019.

Donnelly had previously been CEO of JLT Specialty US, where he built out the firm’s US retail business.

As previously revealed by this publication, WTW parted ways with Chang as head of corporate risk and broking North America late last year after two years in the role.

He was brought into the firm in a move that was announced in April 2022 in the wake of the cancelled merger between Aon and WTW, and is credited with establishing WTW’s industry vertical specialisation strategy.

The former Chubb and Sompo International executive officially started in his position at WTW in October 2022.

Sources speculated over whether Clarke and Donnelly would continue to execute on the specialisation strategy initiated by Chang under Garrard, or whether WTW's North America region could undergo another strategic pivot.

Sources also expect Donnelly and Clarke to look to recruit from Marsh to further fill out WTW's North America broking ranks.

A spokesperson for WTW declined to comment. Marsh has been contacted for comment.