123 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago 60606, 312-701-3000
– Founded: 1979
– Fiscal year-end: Dec. 31
– Chief executive
Patrick G. Ryan, 54, since 1982
1991 cash compensation: $892,500
Shares owned: 8.59 million of 64.5 million common shares
– Employees: 18,000; 3,600 in Illinois
– Foreign sales: 15.5 percent of $2.93 billion total in 1991
– May 1, 1992, value of $1,000 in company stock:
Purchased May 1, 1991: $1,232
Purchased May 1, 1987: $2,162
– Aon`s unusual name-Gaelic for ”oneness”-is a testament to the tastes of CEO and dominant shareholder Patrick Ryan, who leads a company that has built itself to giant status from humble roots. Aon was built on the door-to- door accident and health insurance operations of motivational whiz W. Clement Stone. Not surprisingly, then, Aon isn`t discouraged that net income for 1991 was up only 2.8 percent in a tough insurance market.
– The company is expanding aggressively overseas. Its purchase of Hudig-Langeveldt Europe b.v., the largest commercial brokerage firm on the European continent, for $200 million made Aon`s Rollins Burdick Hunter Group the sixth-largest insurance brokerage firm in the world. Meanwhile, Aon`s health insurance business is booming both in this country and, interestingly, in nations with national health plans.
– Now Aon is looking to expand into Eastern Europe. It sees strong niche businesses-such as auto warranties or insuring art museums-as a way to assure growth.
