GALLAGHER EYES 'PRODUCTION TALENT' AFTER AON/WILLIS MERGER COLLAPSE

Arthur J Gallagher (AJG) chief executive, Pat Gallagher, has insisted the broking group remains “well placed… to drive value” despite losing out on acquiring a chunk of Willis Towers Watson assets. Speaking following the publication of the broking giant’s second-quarter earnings, Gallagher said the firm would not hold back from hiring “production talent” following the collapse of Aon’s merger with Willis Towers Watson. “Organic hiring is a big part of our strategy,” he said. “Our door is always open to production talent”. AJG had been lined up to purchase most of Willis Re’s treaty and facultative reinsurance brokerage operations, as well as various UK specialty, European and North American brokerage operations from Willis Towers Watson.