AON Corporation has bought Alexander & Alexander Services in a $1.23 billion deal, creating one of the world's largest risk consulting, insurance broking and employee benefits consulting companies. In the UK, Aon's existing business Godwins and A&A's Alexander Clay and The Alexander Consulting Group will merge to trade as Aon Consulting.

The combined Godwins and Alexander Consulting businesses in the UK and Ireland employ nearly 1,500 staff at 31 offices. Following the acquisition, Aon will employ almost 40,000 staff in more than 80 countries with a worldwide turnover of more than $5 billion. Joint task forces are being set up to manage the integration of the UK firms and details of new management and organisational structures are due to be announced over the next few weeks.