Aon Appoints Industry-leading Talent to Technology Practice Helm

CHICAGO and SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Aon Risk Solutions, the global risk management business of Aon Corporation, announced today that Shawn Ram was promoted to national Research Practice leader. Most recently serving as an account executive and the San Francisco Bay area Innovation Practice leader, Ram has worked with many customers in Silicon Valley and across the country for more than 10 years to deliver risk advisory services.

The U.S. innovation sector grew near twice as fast as the overall economy in 2010 and that trend is expected to continue into 2011, according to Forrester Innovation. This growth is the result of investments in cloud and smart computing solutions, which will provide the tools for companies to grow profits.

The door to challenges

"This continued boom opens the door to challenges and opportunities for our customers in 2011," said Shawn Ram, national Research Practice leader of Aon Risk Solutions. "Evolving risks, just as those emanating from social media, cloud computing and privacy issues will continue to challenge organizations, and customers who manage these risks nevertheless will be a step ahead of competitors."

"Aon is optimistic about the innovation industry this year," said John Willett, Aon Risk Solutions' national practice leader. "We are looking to Shawn's continued leadership in this segment to furthermore develop Aon's expertise in meeting our customers' needs."

Aon Risk Solutions' Research Practice addresses risk exposures, identifies insurance solutions and provides risk program design, risk quantification and analysis for both middle market and Fortune 100 research organizations. Ram will lead delivery of Aon's strategies to ensure both client satisfaction and growth in the innovation segment. He will be responsible for the brokerage, product development and service quality for Aon's technology customers. These new responsibilities build upon Ram's proven expertise in directors' and officers' liability, patent infringement risks, cyber liability and privacy.

Graduate of Brigham Young University

Ram is a graduate of Brigham Young University and is actively involved with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, the Founder Institute ? a startup accelerator and entrepreneur training program, and the Churchill Club, a Silicon Valley business and research forum. He is a frequent speaker at industry events on innovation risk-related topics just as cyber liability, patent infringement and privacy.