Boardroom Alpha
Meeting calendar
WTW · Annual meeting · Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Willis Towers Watson PLC

9 nominees · 6 ballot items.

Election of nine directors; Ratification and remuneration of independent auditors; Advisory vote on named executive officer compensation (say-on-pay); Renew authority to issue shares under Irish law; Renew authority to opt out of statutory pre-emption rights under Irish law; Approve WTW Amended and Restated Employee Share Purchase Plan with increased share reserve.

Market cap
$27.8B
1Y TSR
-9.8%
Board grade
C-
Record date
Mar 23, 2026
Filing
DEF 14A
Meeting concluded · May 20, 2026

Follow how the vote landed and what changed on Willis Towers Watson PLC’s board — director track records, governance grades, and ongoing monitoring — on the Boardroom Alpha platform.

Proposals

On the ballot6

  1. 1

    Elect Directors

    ManagementBoard: FOR

    To elect nine persons named in the proxy statement to serve as directors for a one-year term until the next Annual General Meeting.

  2. 2

    Advisory Vote to Ratify the Appointment of Independent Auditors and Fix Auditors’ Remuneration

    ManagementBoard: FOR

    Non-binding advisory vote to ratify Deloitte & Touche LLP and Deloitte Ireland LLP as independent auditors for 2026 and binding vote to authorize the Board, acting through the Audit Committee, to fix their remuneration.

    More detail

    Proposal asks shareholders to ratify Deloitte & Touche LLP and Deloitte Ireland LLP as independent auditors for the fiscal year 2026 (advisory/non-binding) and to authorize the Board, through the Audit Committee, to set auditors’ fees (binding). Management states the appointments were approved by the Audit Committee and Board and argues shareholder ratification is good governance though not required; it notes the Audit Committee may change auditors regardless of ratification if in shareholders’ interest. The proposal is routine and typical for public companies, seeks to maintain continuity in audit oversight, and the Board recommends a vote FOR to affirm the Audit Committee’s selection based on considerations of auditor independence, capability to audit complex global operations, fees and PCAOB registration.

  3. 3

    Advisory Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation (Say-on-Pay

    ManagementBoard: FOR

    Non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement.

    More detail

    The management-sponsored say-on-pay proposal requests an annual non-binding advisory approval of the named executive officers’ compensation as disclosed in the proxy, including the CD&A and compensation tables. The Board and Human Capital and Compensation Committee frame their pay program as pay-for-performance with a large portion of compensation at risk (STI and LTIP), detailed performance metrics (Adjusted Net Revenue, Adjusted Operating Margin, Free Cash Flow Margin, PSU metrics and relative TSR modifier), share ownership guidelines, recoupment policy and other governance features. Management recommends a FOR vote, citing alignment of pay with performance, rigorous governance, shareholder outreach and prior strong shareholder support (~97% in 2025). Voters should consider the design (e.g., high CEO LTIP weighting, use of modifiers, STI design changes) and how these features align with long-term shareholder returns and strategic objectives.

  4. 4

    Renew the Board's Existing Authority to Issue Shares under Irish Law

    ManagementBoard: FOR

    To renew the Board's authority to allot relevant securities up to approximately 20% of the Company’s issued ordinary share capital as of March 23, 2026 for 18 months.

    More detail

    Management seeks shareholder approval to renew a routine Irish-law authorization allowing the Board to allot up to ~20% of issued ordinary shares over 18 months to facilitate capital raising and strategic flexibility (acquisitions, financing, employee plans). The resolution does not increase authorized share capital but renews operational authority aligning with Irish market practice and NASDAQ/SEC protections. The Board recommends FOR, stressing the necessity for timely access to equity for strategic execution and alignment with Irish corporate law and customary practice. Shareholders should view this as standard capital governance rather than an immediate issuance plan.

  5. 5

    Renew the Board's Existing Authority to Opt Out of Statutory Pre-emption Rights under Irish Law

    ManagementBoard: FOR

    To renew the Board's authority to allot equity securities for cash without offering them pro-rata to existing shareholders, up to ~20% of issued share capital, for 18 months; requires a 75% vote (special resolution).

    More detail

    Management requests renewal of a special-resolution waiver of statutory pre-emption rights to allow the Board to issue shares for cash without first offering them pro rata to existing shareholders, limited to ~20% of issued share capital and 18 months in duration. This is consistent with Irish market practice to preserve flexibility for capital-raising and M&A. The Board recommends FOR. Shareholders should weigh dilution risk versus the need for agility in executing strategic transactions; the 75% threshold provides a stronger shareholder consent requirement than ordinary resolutions.

  6. 6

    Approve the WTW Amended and Restated Employee Share Purchase Plan

    ManagementBoard: FOR

    To approve the amended and restated employee share purchase plan, increasing the share reserve by 3,122,500 shares to a total of 4,500,000 and making other administrative and governance changes.

    More detail

    The management-sponsored proposal asks shareholders to approve an amended and restated employee share purchase plan to increase the share reserve by 3,122,500 to 4.5 million shares and to authorize several administrative changes (committee authority to amend/terminate, elimination of fixed term, increased contribution limits, flexibility on offering/purchase period structure, change-in-control definition expansion, and plan rename). Management frames the plan as a broad-based retention and alignment tool and forecasts the increase will support approximately ten years of participation. The Board recommends FOR, stating the plan enhances employee alignment, recruitment and retention. For investors, key considerations include dilution (incremental share count relative to outstanding share capital), the plan’s generous default contribution parameters, and governance controls (Committee amendment authority and plan administration).

Director elections

Nominees on the ballot9

Independent
Tenure on this board
4.5 yrs
Also a director at
Crawford & Co (CRD.A)
Independent
Tenure on this board
4.3 yrs
Also a director at
Sps Commerce Inc (SPSC)
Not independent
Tenure on this board
4.5 yrs
Independent
Tenure on this board
3.8 yrs
Also a director at
Raymond James Financial Inc (RJF)
Independent
Tenure on this board
3.3 yrs
Also a director at
Cboe Global Markets Inc (CBOE)
Ownership

Top institutional holders10

Latest 13F quarter
1DODGE COX7.8%7,332,414$2.1B
2VANGUARD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC6.5%6,164,853$1.8B
3HARRIS ASSOCIATES L P6.2%5,850,077$1.7B
4STATE STREET CORP4.5%4,216,835$1.2B
5First Eagle Investment Management, LLC4.4%4,185,099$1.2B
6VANGUARD PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT LLC4.3%4,056,990$1.2B
7MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES CO /MA/4.1%3,859,675$1.1B
8Artisan Partners Limited Partnership4.0%3,786,617$1.1B
9BlackRock, Inc.3.6%3,407,474$991M
10GEODE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC2.4%2,280,530$660M
Filings

Recent key filings

Periodic reports
Definitive proxies
Reference

Frequently asked questions

When is the Willis Towers Watson PLC 2026 annual meeting?
Willis Towers Watson PLC (WTW) holds its 2026 annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
What is the record date for the Willis Towers Watson PLC 2026 meeting?
The record date for the Willis Towers Watson PLC 2026 meeting is Monday, March 23, 2026. Shareholders of record on or before that date are eligible to vote.
Who are the director nominees for Willis Towers Watson PLC's 2026 meeting?
The board is presenting 9 director nominees at the Willis Towers Watson PLC 2026 meeting, listed with their independence status and background.
What proposals will shareholders vote on at the Willis Towers Watson PLC 2026 meeting?
Shareholders will vote on 6 proposals at the Willis Towers Watson PLC 2026 meeting, each tagged with who proposed it and the board's recommendation.
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