Willis Towers Watson adds Shawn Smith and Fred Zutel to Florida team

Willis Towers Watson has, as part of its expansion in Florida, hired Shawn Smith as Senior Vice President and Health Care Industry lead and Fred Zutel as Head of Corporate Risk & Broking. The two new hires are each tasked with business development of their respective area, as well as wider client services in their respective fields of expertise.

Shawn Smith joins Willis Towers Watson from Wells Fargo Insurance Services where he was a Senior Vice President and Managing Director from 2007, leading the firm’s South Region Healthcare Practice from 2013. He was previously at Marsh, starting in 2000, where he became a Senior Vice President. Earlier roles include Manager of Large Group Retention and Sales at Sentara Healthcare starting in 1993, and Associate Underwriter at John Hancock Life Insurance Company, starting in 1989. Smith holds a degree in Economics from Villanova University.

Smith has been appointed by Willis Towers Watson as the firm’s new Florida Health Care Industry lead. He takes responsibility for oversight of risk management for the firm’s Florida health care industry clients. In addition, he is tasked with business development and client services at the firm. He will report to Jim Doyle, head of CRB, Florida.

“We’re thrilled that Shawn has joined the Willis Towers Watson Health Care Industry team,” says Doyle. “His deep-seated relationships with health care institutions across Florida will be a great asset and resource for our company as we deliver our value proposition to clients and prospects.”

Prior to joining Willis Towers Watson in 2016, Fred Zutel worked at Marsh & McLennan Companies as a Vice President for over two years. He was previously at Brown & Brown Insurance for four years, most recently as a Commercial Insurance Specialist. Zutel holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business/Trade/Commerce from the Florida International University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Miami.

Zutel has been promoted by appointment to head of Corporate Risk and Broking in South Florida. He takes responsibility for furthering the firm’s brokerage business across the region, by leading business development, talent acquisition and strategic leadership in the segment.

“Fred’s appointment to lead our CRB operations in South Florida is well deserved,” reflects Doyle. “Fred’s accomplishments in structuring insurance programs for large and complex clients across virtually all industries portend future successes in his new role. I’m confident Fred and his talented new team will help us grow our brokerage business in this important region.”