Willis Capital Markets Acts as Co-Lead Manager of $100 Million Earthquake Risk Linked Securitization



    Willis Capital Markets has acted as Co-Lead Manager of an offering
    of $100 million of notes linked to the occurrence of earthquakes in
    California. The notes, which have been issued by Ajax Re Limited as
    part of a $1 billion shelf program, provide reinsurance protection to
    Aspen Insurance Limited. Lehman Brothers acted as sole initial
    purchaser and bookrunner for the transaction.

    The proceeds of the notes collateralize a reinsurance agreement
    between Ajax Re Limited and Aspen. Loss payments under the reinsurance
    agreement are triggered by estimated insured property losses as
    reported by Property Claims Services (PCS).

    The notes, which were rated BB by Standard & Poor's and b+ by AM
    Best, have a coupon of Libor +625 basis points. The notes mature on
    May 9, 2009. The program allows Ajax Re to issue further series of
    notes to provide Aspen with up to $1 billion of protection, in respect
    of any perils, at any given time.

    Mark Hvidsten, CEO of Willis Capital Markets, commented, "We are
    delighted to have acted as Co-Lead Manager of the Ajax Re notes issue.
    This transaction provides Aspen with catastrophe reinsurance at
    attractive terms. The ability to execute capital markets transactions
    is an essential part of the tool kit that enables us to provide our
    clients with the full spectrum of risk transfer solutions."

    Joe Plumeri, Chairman and CEO, Willis Group commented. "We are
    constantly developing ideas and innovative approaches to risk
    management in order to better serve our clients. Our sophisticated
    analytics and our proven ability to deliver all forms of risk
    transfer, including catastrophe risk securitizations, help us provide
    better solutions to our clients."

    Willis Capital Markets is the unit of Willis Group Holdings
    Limited that specializes in the structuring and placement of financial
    instruments that access risk capital from outside the traditional
    insurance and reinsurance markets. This capability enhances Willis'
    offering to its clients by enabling it to access and place risk with
    all sources of risk-bearing capacity. Willis Capital Markets operates
    in a global capacity and acts in the United States through Willis
    Securities Inc. and in the United Kingdom and European Union countries
    through Willis Structured Financial Solutions Ltd.

    Willis Group Holdings Limited is a leading global insurance
    broker, developing and delivering professional insurance, reinsurance,
    risk management, financial and human resource consulting and actuarial
    services to corporations, public entities and institutions around the
    world. Willis has over 300 offices in some 100 countries, with a
    global team of approximately 16,000 employees serving clients in some
    190 countries. Additional information on Willis may be found on its
    web site www.willis.com.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
    solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the
    Notes in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale
    would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the
    securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The Notes have not been, and
    will not be, registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
    (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold in the United
    States absent registration under the Securities Act or an applicable
    exemption from the registration requirements there-under.