Willis sues JLT over art team defection

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Insurance broker Willis has begun legal proceedings against former employee David Gordon and rival broker Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) following the defection of Gordon and more than 20 of its executives to fill JLT’s jewellery, fine art and specie team.

The defection at the beginning of April saw Gordon appointed as chief executive officer of the division.

Willis is seeking damages for conspiracy and for breach of duty and wrongful interference in the proposed sale of its fine art, jewellery and specie division to Miller.

The broker applied for an injunction to prevent JLT and Gordon from recruiting further Willis staff.  The judge found that Willis had shown there was a serious issue of unlawful activity to be tried but did not grant the injunction because he considered the damage to Willis already done.

“Willis will always pursue legal redress against individuals and companies where we believe unlawful action has compromised the interests of our clients, our employees, the markets we work with and our shareholders. We will defend these interests robustly and intend to pursue this case vigorously to trial for the maximum recovery,” said Willis.

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