Judge finds limited breaches in Willis Re ‘poaching’ case
The High Court in London has found that senior figures involved in Willis Re’s relaunch committed limited breaches of duty when they recruited staff from Guy Carpenter, but rejected the sweeping allegations of an unlawful “team poaching” scheme that began in Bermuda.
In a 125-page judgment handed down on Friday, High Court Judge Sir Michael Birt KC ruled that their conduct “went slightly further than was admitted by them at the trial, but not to the extent alleged by Guy Carpenter.”
The case stemmed from the same-day resignation in June 2025 of five senior Guy Carpenter Bermuda employees, part of a broader wave of departures linked to Willis Re’s return to the reinsurance broking market.
Guy Carpenter had sought wide injunctive relief, including restricting Willis Re from trying to recruit from its global specialities teams in Bermuda and London and limits on dealings with certain clients.
The judge declined to grant that relief, stating: “These relatively limited breaches of duty and other unlawful acts do not give rise to any continuing need, post this judgment, for injunctive relief.”
He also rejected suggestions that the defendants’ witnesses had been evasive. “Each of them gave their evidence carefully,” he said, “seeking to assist the court in their answers”.
While the court found breaches of duty and that senior individuals “entered into a narrow conspiracy to use unlawful means”, it did not determine whether Guy Carpenter suffered financial loss.
The judge said he “cannot, at this stage, find that they are so liable”.
He stated that the question whether loss has been suffered “has not yet been determined”.
In a statement released Friday, Willis Re said it “welcomes” the High Court judgment.
The firm stated: “We are happy to have this behind us and are excited about the people we are hiring and the business we’re building.”
Guy Carpenter did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Royal Gazette. Any claim for damages will be decided at a later hearing.
• For the complete High Court judgment, see Related Media
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