WTW, a global advisory and brokerage firm, has bolstered its real estate team with the appointment of four senior executives. Lauren McKay and Liam Hebron have joined as directors in London, while Craig Johnson has been appointed executive director in Manchester. Shaun Grainger has taken on the role of development director within the newly formed residential real estate team, also based in London.
Key Appointments and Their Roles
The new hires bring a wealth of experience across various sectors of the real estate industry. McKay, previously at CBRE, will focus on providing real estate client solutions for pan-European investors and landlords. Hebron, with experience at Gallagher and Axco, will develop new business in the real estate sector, leveraging his expertise in complex risk placement and portfolio protection.
Johnson, joining from Lockton and Marsh, will oversee insurance placement for developers, funds, and property owners in Northern England and Scotland. Grainger, with 20 years of experience in financial and insurance industries, will lead the residential real estate team, serving clients such as build-to-rent developers and investors with extensive property portfolios.
Enhancing Risk Management Capabilities
These appointments are designed to strengthen WTW’s capabilities in helping clients manage and mitigate risks across property portfolios. The new team members will report to Paul Turnbull, managing director for real estate at WTW. Turnbull emphasized that the new hires will enhance the firm’s ability to deliver tailored, risk-focused solutions for real estate investors and landlords navigating a changing market.
Market Context
The expansion comes at a time when UK property insurers are facing significant challenges due to severe weather events. According to a Deloitte report, property insurance claims reached £5.5 billion in 2024, the highest since 2007. Weather-related claims are projected to total £1.2 billion, doubling the levels seen between 2017 and 2020, and are expected to constitute 22% of total payouts by UK property insurers in 2024.
The firm’s enhanced real estate team is poised to address the evolving needs of clients in this challenging environment, providing specialized risk management solutions across various sectors of the real estate industry.
