10-KPeriod: FY2001

Aon plc Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2001

Filed March 15, 2002For Securities:AON

Summary

Aon Corporation's 2001 10-K filing reveals a company actively managing its diverse business segments, which include insurance brokerage and services, consulting, and insurance underwriting. A significant strategic move highlighted is the planned spin-off of its insurance underwriting business into a separate, publicly traded entity, expected in spring 2002. This move aims to create two focused companies, allowing each to better pursue its respective growth strategies. The company also details its ongoing business transformation plan, initiated in late 2000, which impacts all operating segments, with a particular focus on the insurance brokerage and services segment in the U.S. and U.K. The filing emphasizes Aon's global reach, with operations in over 125 countries and a workforce of approximately 53,000 employees. Investors should note the company's strategic repositioning through spin-offs and transformation initiatives, alongside its established global presence in risk management and human capital services.

Key Highlights

  • 1Aon plc is pursuing a strategic spin-off of its insurance underwriting business into a new public company, Combined Specialty Corporation, anticipated in Spring 2002.
  • 2The company is executing a business transformation plan, initiated in late 2000 and continuing into 2002, primarily affecting the Insurance Brokerage and Other Services segment.
  • 3Aon operates across three main segments: Insurance Brokerage and Other Services, Consulting, and Insurance Underwriting.
  • 4The Insurance Brokerage and Other Services segment is a substantial global operation with 550 offices in over 125 countries and approximately 43,000 professionals.
  • 5The Consulting segment is a significant player in human capital management services, strengthened by recent acquisitions like ASI Solutions Incorporated.
  • 6The Insurance Underwriting segment is diversified, offering accident/health, life, and extended warranty/casualty products, and made a $227 million investment in Endurance Specialty Insurance, Ltd. in 2001.
  • 7The company had approximately 53,000 employees at the end of 2001, including 7,000 career agents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Aon Corporation operates in three distinct segments: (1) Insurance Brokerage and Other Services, which includes retail, reinsurance, and wholesale brokerage, as well as claims services and premium financing; (2) Consulting, focusing on human capital management services like employee benefits, compensation, and outsourcing; and (3) Insurance Underwriting, offering accident and health, life, and extended warranty/casualty insurance products.

Aon announced a plan in April 2001 to spin off its insurance underwriting business into a separate, publicly traded company named Combined Specialty Corporation. This transaction was expected to be completed in the spring of 2002, pending necessary approvals, with the aim of creating two more focused entities.

The Business Transformation Plan was announced in November 2000 and was ongoing into 2002. It affects all operating segments but primarily impacts the Insurance Brokerage and Other Services segment, particularly in the U.S. and U.K., with the goal of improving efficiency and operations.

Aon has a substantial global footprint. Its Insurance Brokerage and Other Services segment alone operates through 550 offices in over 125 countries and territories, employing nearly 43,000 professionals. The company's total employee count at the end of 2001 was approximately 53,000.