Exhibit 99.1

Willis Group Completes Sale of Stewart Smith Group to American Wholesale

    NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 14, 2005--Willis Group Holdings
(NYSE: WSH), the global insurance broker, and American Wholesale
Insurance Group, Inc (AmWINS), the largest independent wholesale
insurance broker in North America, announced today the closing of the
previously announced acquisition by AmWINS of Stewart Smith Group,
Willis' U.S. wholesale unit. Terms of the transaction were not
disclosed.
    "We are pleased that in American Wholesale we have found a company
and a management team committed to continuing to grow this line of
business," said Joe Plumeri, Willis Group Chairman and CEO. "Our
divesting Stewart Smith is consistent with staying true to our mission
of focusing our attention and resources on growing our core retail
operations."
    "Bringing together Stewart Smith with our existing brokerage
operation makes great sense," said M. Steven DeCarlo, AmWINS President
and Chief Executive Officer. "This transaction continues what we
started almost three years ago - providing solutions exclusively to
retail agents and brokers. The difference now: we have broader
geographic presence, expanded people power, practice teams, and a well
established and trusted trading relationship with brokers across the
country."
    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. With over 300 offices in over 100 countries, its global team of
14,500 Associates serves clients in 180 countries. Willis is publicly
traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WSH. Additional
information on Willis may be found on its web site: www.willis.com.
    AmWINS (www.amwins.com) is a wholesale insurance organization
dedicated to serving retail agents throughout the United States by
providing property and casualty, group life and health, program
administration services, and actuarial service capabilities.

    CONTACT: Willis Group Holdings Limited
             Investors:
             Kerry K. Calaiaro, +1-212-837-0880
             calaiaro_ke@willis.com
             or
             Media:
             Dan Prince, +1-212-837-0806
             prince_da@willis.com
             or
             AmWINS
             Gregg Calestini, +1-704-943-2004
             gregg.calestini@amwins.com