Human Resources: WATSON WYATT TO ACQUIRE LONG-TIME PARTNER IN THE NETHERLANDS

WASHINGTON, January 3, 2007 – Watson Wyatt Worldwide, a leading global consulting firm, announced today the intention to acquire its alliance partner in the Netherlands, Watson Wyatt Brans & Co. A definitive agreement is expected to be signed in the first quarter of 2007.

The two firms have maintained a close relationship for many years. In 1999, the Netherlands office of Watson Wyatt merged with the leading Dutch actuarial consulting firm, Brans & Co., to create Watson Wyatt Brans & Co. Since then, Watson Wyatt Brans & Co has operated as a separate partnership as part of Watson Wyatt Worldwide. The partnership currently has 180 associates located in five offices throughout the country – Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Nieuwegein, Purmerend and Rotterdam. Its 2006 revenues were approximately $37 million ( Euro 28m).

“We are delighted to bring our long-term partner in the Netherlands fully into the Watson Wyatt fold,” said John Haley, president and chief executive officer of Watson Wyatt. “The Netherlands, with its well funded pensions system, is a base for many multinational companies and a very important territory for the firm.”

“The decision to become fully integrated into Watson Wyatt represents a natural progression of our long alliance,” said Jobert Koomans, managing partner of Watson Wyatt Brans & Co. “Our clients are growing ever more global. Integrating our resources and expertise within a single global firm will provide considerable benefits not only for our operations but, more importantly, for our clients.”

Babloo Ramamurthy, Watson Wyatt’s European manager, said: “Integrating our Dutch partner further supports Watson Wyatt’s strong position in Europe for human capital and financial management consulting, and enhances the service we are able to provide to our clients.”

Watson Wyatt Worldwide

Watson Wyatt (NYSE: WW) is the trusted business partner to the world's leading organizations on people and financial issues. The firm’s global services include: managing the cost and effectiveness of employee benefit programs; developing attraction, retention and reward strategies; advising pension plan sponsors and other institutions on optimal investment strategies; providing strategic and financial advice to insurance and financial services companies; and delivering related technology, outsourcing and data services. Watson Wyatt has 6,000 associates in 30 countries and is located on the web at www.watsonwyatt.com.

Watson Wyatt Brans & Co.

Watson Wyatt Brans & Co is a market leader in the Netherlands for pensions consulting, with prominent pension funds and other blue-chip organizations among its clients. Brans & Co was established in 1945 as an actuarial firm and has extended its services from retirement consulting to incorporate legal aspects of employee benefits and investment consulting to a wide range of clients.

Watson Wyatt Insurance Consulting B.V.

Watson Wyatt will continue to operate a separate Insurance & Financial Services consulting business in the Netherlands.

Media Contact:
Ed Emerman
609-452-5967
eemerman[at]eaglepr.com

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