Willis Capital Markets & Advisory (WCMA) has announced Rafal Walkiewicz as the investment banking units new Chief Executive Officer, as he steps up from a co-CEO role and due to the departure of the other co-CEO Michael Guo.
Walkiewicz joined WCMA in 2014 and in 2015 was appointed as co-CEO of the Willis Towers Watson unit, which deals with insurance-linked securities (ILS), catastrophe bonds and other capital markets insurance or reinsurance initiatives.
Walkiewicz has more than 15 years of international investment banking, capital markets and re/insurance experience, with a track record of successful execution of both multi-billion and mid-market transactions across developed and emerging markets.
Michael Guo is set to leave his position as co-CEO of WCMA, which he has also held since 2015. Guo joined as WCMA’s head of Asia in 2013, previously having been a Partner and Managing Director of Boston Consulting Group.
WCMA is placing two existing employees in charge of the Asia region business strategy, with Vincent Lien in Hong Kong and John Philipsz in Australia set to have joint responsibility for the region. Between the pair they have more than 30 years of investment banking experience, particularly in Asia.
Dominic Casserley, President and Deputy CEO of Willis Towers Watson, commented on the news; “WCMA is a world-class insurance investment banking operation and an important part of the Willis Towers Watson company. Comprising one of the largest dedicated insurance advisory teams in the market, they have undertaken some of the most prominent M&A transactions in the re/insurance sector.
“Rafal has been instrumental to the success of WCMA over the past few years and I am confident he will continue to strengthen its client offering and drive the business forward in new markets.
“I also want to thank Michael for the valuable contribution he has made to WCMA’s global footprint by further developing and broadening its client relationships and market coverage in Asia.”
Walkiewicz added; “The WCMA business model is built on the highest standard of execution combined with superior understanding of the insurance industry. With unprecedented globalisation of the insurance industry, we remain committed to our strategy in Asia to support our clients’ interests in the region as well as growing global ambitions of Asian capital.
“I am very excited to be leading WCMA as it continues to differentiate itself as a truly global insurance investment banking boutique.
“I have enjoyed working with Michael and wish him every success in the future.”
View all of our Artemis Live video interviews and subscribe to our podcast.
All of our Artemis Live insurance-linked securities (ILS), catastrophe bonds and reinsurance video content and video interviews can be accessed online.
Our Artemis Live podcast can be subscribed to using the typical podcast services providers, including Apple, Google, Spotify and more.
