NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Belfry Software, a modern platform for physical security providers, has partnered with Willis, a WTW business (NASDAQ: WTW), to launch a digital insurance program tailored for Belfry customers. The program pairs Willis insurance expertise with award-winning Kayna insurance technology to deliver data-led, streamlined insurance solutions. ...

SINGAPORE, Feb. 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company, today announced the appointment of Han Wei Fong as Country Leader for Singapore, effective 1 March 2026. Han Wei will hold dual capacity, continuing his current position as Head of Health & Benefits, Singapore, alongside his new country leadership responsibilities. Han Wei joined WTW in September last year and brings deep industry experience in health and benefits consulting and broking ...

Financial Performance - The Health, Wealth & Career segment generated 55% of total revenue in 2025, down from 60% in 2023, while the Risk & Broking segment increased to 45% from 40% in the same period[32] - The company aims to grow revenue, improve margins, and increase free cash flow, EBITDA, and earnings through a focused investment framework and capital allocation strategy[29] - The company anticipates growth in free cash flow generation, adjusted net income, adjusted operating margin, and adjusted earnings per share[14] Client Base and Market Presence - The company serves approximately 93% of the FTSE 100, 89% of the Fortune 1000, and 92% of the Fortune Global 500 companies, indicating a strong client base[20] - No individual client represented more than 10% of the company's consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023[20] - The company places insurance with approximately 2,500 insurance carriers, with no significant concentration of total premiums from any single carrier in 2025, 2024, or 2023[20] Business Segments and Services - The Health & Benefits business provides services across more than 160 countries, addressing clients' needs in health, wellbeing, and other group benefit programs[36] - A significant portion of revenue in the Health & Benefits business comes from recurring work, with contracts being annual or multi-year[38] - The Retirement business provides actuarial support and administrative services for pension plans, with high client retention rates due to multi-year contracts driven by regulatory needs[42] - The Investments business manages over $34 billion in premiums annually, offering tailored solutions to clients including pension plans and private wealth investors[56] - A significant portion of revenue in Benefits Delivery & Outsourcing is recurring, driven by long-term service contracts typically ranging from three to five years[54] - The Corporate Risk & Broking segment delivers integrated global solutions, leveraging data and analytics across various geographical areas[56] Strategic Initiatives and Growth - The company is focused on strategic investments in corporate risk and broking, health and benefits, and wealth, while divesting non-strategic businesses[34] - The company has recently acquired Newfront Insurance Holdings, Inc. and plans to acquire Cushon, indicating a strategy of growth through acquisitions[14] - The company’s strategy includes optimizing its portfolio through both inorganic and organic investments in high-growth areas[34] - The company emphasizes a unified approach to advisory, broking, and solutions as a path to growth in attractive markets[28] Workforce and Employee Engagement - The company employs approximately 46,900 colleagues as of December 31, 2025, with a voluntary turnover rate of 9.8%[72] - Hiring campaigns focused on mid-senior level positions resulted in over 6,700 hires, a 4% decrease from 2024[73] - The company expanded total rewards programs in 2025, including the employee share purchase plan, to enhance colleague experience[76] - The flexible work approach includes office-based, hybrid, and remote solutions, aimed at attracting and retaining top talent[77] - The company emphasizes a strong colleague experience, fostering an inclusive environment and supporting professional development[69] Competitive Landscape - The company faces competition from major firms such as Aon plc, Marsh & McLennan, and Cognizant Technology Solutions, as well as numerous regional and local firms[79] - Competitive pressures have increased due to a reduction in demand for certain insurance products, with clients opting for self-insurance mechanisms rather than purchasing additional insurance[80] - The company identifies Mercer HR Consulting and Aon plc as its largest competitors in the pension consulting industry, highlighting the competitive landscape in HR consulting[84] - The insurance consulting and software industry is highly competitive, with major competitors including Milliman and the big four accounting firms[85] Regulatory Compliance - Regulatory compliance is critical, with the company subject to various laws including the E.U. General Data Protection Regulations and the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act[90] - The company’s ability to provide services is contingent upon compliance with state-specific regulations in the U.S., which can vary significantly[91] - The Financial Conduct Authority in the U.K. oversees the company's operations, emphasizing the importance of regulatory compliance in maintaining market integrity[96] - The company is adapting to new regulations post-Brexit, which have implications for its operations in the U.K. and E.U.[99] - The evolving market landscape necessitates continuous adaptation to regulatory changes, particularly in data privacy and cybersecurity[105] - Regulatory compliance failures can result in disciplinary action, fines, reputational damage, and financial harm to the company[104] - Changes in legislation and regulation, including data privacy and cybersecurity laws, may adversely affect the company's business[105] - The company is subject to regulatory requirements in multiple jurisdictions, including the U.S. and U.K., but does not view these as adversely affecting its competitive position[103] Leadership and Management - The company’s executive team includes experienced leaders such as Kristy D. Banas, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Lucy Clarke, President of Risk & Broking, indicating strong leadership in navigating competitive challenges[106][107] - The company has a strong leadership team with extensive experience in the industry, including the CEO and CFO[13]

Core Insights - The report identifies a shift in global stability characterized by 'gray-zone aggression', which involves ambiguous tactics between peace and war [1] Industry Impact - Gray-zone aggression has evolved into a significant threat for businesses, disrupting markets and undermining confidence, which was previously not recognized as a major risk [2] - This challenge is now influencing geopolitical risk appetite and testing the resilience strategies of all major sectors [2] Recommendations for Corporate Risk Management - Companies must enhance their risk management programs to include strategic foresight and operational readiness against gray-zone attacks [3] - Organizations should treat gray-zone aggression as a material business risk rather than a temporary nuisance to avoid late reactions with severe consequences [3] Specific Actions for Risk and Insurance Leaders - Re-evaluate insurance policy language to ensure alignment with the current risk environment [5] - Elevate gray-zone aggression as an enterprise-level risk and continuously monitor geopolitical developments [5] - Stress test supply chain resilience to account for potential disruptions from geopolitical tensions [5] - Strengthen crisis management strategies to handle ambiguous events effectively [5] - Integrate scenario thinking into strategic planning to reveal unexpected exposures and test various operational assumptions [5]

Core Insights - Willis, a WTW business, has launched a Reputational Risk Quantification Model specifically for celebrity endorsements, utilizing extensive datasets from Polecat to assess reputational risks associated with celebrity endorsers and brand ambassadors [1][3]. Industry Overview - The Global Reputational Risk Readiness Survey 2024/25 indicates that 99% of companies consider reputation among their top 10 risks, with notable sectors including Leisure and Hospitality (53%), Retail (43%), Manufacturing (51%), Transportation (34%), and NGOs/Charities (48%) ranking it in their top five [2]. Model Features - The new model employs advanced risk analytics and real-time intelligence from Polecat to evaluate the potential impact on sales and profits in scenarios where celebrity endorsers face reputational damage, providing brands with data-driven insights for better decision-making and proactive risk management [4]. Expert Commentary - James Gillespie, Head of Data & Analytics at Willis, emphasized that reputation is increasingly viewed as an asset class, and the model transforms subjective judgments into quantifiable insights, allowing clients to understand the financial implications of celebrity endorsements [5]. - James Lawn, CEO at Polecat, noted that the model enables organizations to quantify previously intangible reputational risks, enhancing their ability to manage these risks effectively [5]. Upcoming Events - Willis will host a Reputational Risk Roundtable event on February 26, 2026, aimed at senior executives and risk professionals, focusing on the new Celebrity endorsement feature and discussing various aspects of managing reputation risks [5].

Market Overview - Wall Street is experiencing significant disruption concerns due to AI, leading to a sell-off in various sectors, particularly software companies, which has resulted in sharp losses in U.S. stocks this week [1][2]. Software Sector - The S&P 500 Software & Services index has lost approximately $2 trillion in value since its peak in October, with half of this loss occurring in the past two weeks due to fears that AI could disrupt traditional subscription and enterprise tools [2]. - Notable declines in the Nasdaq 100 include Atlassian down 47%, Intuit down 40%, and Workday down 33% [4]. - The U.S. software sector is facing its worst drawdown in over three years, impacting alternative asset managers with exposure to software-related loans, with firms like Ares, Blackstone, and KKR seeing declines between 13% and 24% this year [5]. Financial Brokerage, Data Analytics & Legal Services - The financial industry, especially brokerages and data analytics firms, has been negatively affected after Altruist introduced AI-enabled tax planning features, raising fears about the viability of their business models [6]. - Shares of brokers such as LPL Financial and Charles Schwab fell over 7%, while S&P Global's shares dropped more than 25% in February, marking its worst month since 2009 [7]. Real Estate Services - Commercial real estate and investment managers have suffered as investors shift away from high-fee, labor-intensive business models perceived as vulnerable to AI disruption, with CBRE Group and Jones Lang LaSalle each dropping about 12% [8]. Insurance Sector - Insurance stocks have experienced a significant decline, with the S&P 500 insurance index falling 3.9% on a single day, its largest drop since mid-October, following the release of an AI-powered comparison tool by Insurify [10]. - Shares of Willis Towers Watson have decreased by 15% this week, while Aon and Arthur J. Gallagher fell by 9% and 15%, respectively [11]. Trucking & Logistics - The trucking and logistics sector saw unexpected declines, with stocks like Landstar System and C.H. Robinson dropping sharply after Algorhythm Holdings reported a significant increase in freight volumes without a corresponding rise in operational headcount [13].

Core Viewpoint - The artificial intelligence (AI) landscape is becoming increasingly volatile, shifting from a broad market uplift to specific stock declines, particularly affecting technology and related sectors [1][2]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Enthusiasm for AI has driven a bull market in the U.S., particularly benefiting technology companies and those involved in data center infrastructure [2]. - Concerns regarding AI's disruptive potential are causing investors to reassess valuations in various industries, including software and wealth management [3]. - Major companies like Amazon and Microsoft are facing pressure on their share prices due to scrutiny over their significant AI capital expenditures [4]. Group 2: Stock Performance - The S&P 500 software and services index has seen a decline of 15% since the end of January 2026, influenced by AI-related news [4]. - Shares of U.S. brokerages and insurance companies have dropped significantly, with firms like LPL Financial and Charles Schwab each falling by at least 7% following the introduction of AI features by competitors [5]. - Microsoft shares are down 16% and Amazon over 11% this year, reflecting concerns about their high capital spending on AI [7]. Group 3: Investment Opportunities - Some investors view the current market as a buying opportunity, with the forward price-to-earnings ratio for the software and services index falling to 22.7 times, the lowest in nearly three years [9]. - JPMorgan equity strategists recommend increasing exposure to higher-quality, "AI-resilient" software companies, suggesting a potential rebound in the market [9]. - Economic "moats" are highlighted as a means for investors to identify strong companies amidst the volatility, as indiscriminate selling creates investable opportunities [9]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The S&P 500 is projected to see earnings rise over 14% in 2026, with expectations of further interest rate easing by the Federal Reserve [11]. - However, AI-driven volatility is complicating stock selection, with S&P 500 constituents that are down averaging a 10.6% decline, compared to a 5.9% decline for the same period last year [12].

Core Insights - Incidents involving threats to individuals or client assets increased by over a third in 2025, accounting for 37% of all incidents reported to Alert:24 [1] - Political repatriation was the second most common peril, making up 19% of all incidents in 2025 [1] Industry Overview - The global risk environment in 2025 was reshaped by geopolitical volatility, economic pressure, shifting alliances, and youth-led activism, creating sustained uncertainty for international organizations [2] - Businesses faced a complex risk environment requiring them to safeguard people and assets, maintain operations, and strengthen long-term resilience [2] Incident Trends - The overall volume of incidents remained consistent with previous years, but the nature of risks evolved, with rising threat alerts in regions of geopolitical risk driving increased demand for intelligence and support [3] - Political instability is expected to reshape global trade, leading to ongoing uncertainty where single events can trigger widespread commercial disruption [4] Client Support and Insights - Jo Holliday, global head of crisis management, noted that 2025 was a challenging year for clients, with the Crisis Management and Alert:24 teams assisting in navigating a complex threat landscape [5] - The report aims to provide leaders with clear, data-driven insights to interpret dynamics and make informed decisions [5] Threat Frequency and Regional Distribution - There was a 10% rise in the total number of clients assisted in the first 11 months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with incident notification frequency remaining consistent [7] - Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the highest number of client notifications for the third consecutive year, accounting for over a quarter of incidents, with nearly half originating in the DRC [7]

Group 1 - Insurify launched the first insurance application designed for ChatGPT, allowing users to inquire about insurance plans through simple conversational questions without filling out complex forms [1][3] - The stock prices of several insurance brokerage firms fell sharply, with the S&P 500 insurance index dropping 3.89%, marking the largest single-day decline since October of the previous year [3] - Insurify's new application aims to alleviate the stress of purchasing auto insurance by enabling users to ask questions in plain language and receive clear, understandable answers [3][4] Group 2 - The application combines Insurify's insurance data with ChatGPT's AI technology, allowing users to obtain insurance quotes based on their location, vehicle type, age, and driving record [3] - Users can compare not only prices but also user reviews and core coverage from different insurance companies, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the products [3] - Once users find a suitable plan, they are directed to Insurify's main platform, where licensed insurance advisors assist in completing the purchase process, saving time and avoiding repetitive information entry [4]

Core Insights - Global pension assets reached a record USD 68.3 trillion in 2025, marking a year-on-year increase of 9.6% driven by defined contribution (DC) savings [1] - The US remains the largest pensions market, accounting for 66% of the Top 22 globally, while Canada has overtaken Japan to become the second largest pensions market with a 12% year-on-year growth [4] - The UK pension market has experienced weak growth of only 1.4% per annum over the last decade, resulting in a drop from the second largest to the fourth largest pensions market [5] Global Market Performance - In 2025, global markets showed sustained recovery with strong investor sentiment, leading to the creation of USD 6.0 trillion in pension asset value [2] - The allocation to equities in the seven largest pensions markets has decreased by nine percentage points to 48% of total assets, while bonds and other asset classes have increased [7] - Most major asset classes delivered positive returns in 2025, with equities performing particularly well [8] Market Trends and Future Outlook - The UK pension market is undergoing a structural shift, with defined benefit (DB) schemes maturing and de-risking, while DC schemes are expanding, now representing around 40% of UK pension assets [6] - Looking ahead, the 2026 outlook will be influenced by policy decisions, technological innovation, and global dynamics, with fiscal support and AI-related investments expected to drive growth [9] - The adoption of a 'Total Portfolio Approach' is becoming increasingly important due to the uncertain and complex investment environment [10]