Messer to lead Willis aviation group in Latin America

Thomas Messer has been selected to lead regional aviation services in Latin America for Willis Group Holdings, the company announced Thursday.

According to the company's global CEO John Rooley, Latin America is one of the fastest-growing aviation regions in the world.

"Our clients in Latin America are increasingly looking for more sophisticated risk management solutions," Rooley said. "Thomas, with the support of Willis’ local offices and our global risk and insurance capabilities, will focus on servicing our clients in the region – particularly large corporate accounts.”

Messer has worked with Willis since 2002, and prior to this appointment he had worked with many Latin American clients. In his new role, Messer will be tasked with insurance and risk management services for airlines, aerospace companies, airports and other aviation entities.

“The aviation sector in Latin America is enjoying exponential growth," Messer said. "Airline capacity in markets across the region, for example, has grown between 5 and 10 percent year-on-year for the past several years. As the population expands, and more and more people choose to travel by air, this growth will continue, provided the infrastructure is there to support it. But as the sector expands, new risks are emerging. And these require innovative and tailor-made approaches to risk management.”