Citing his role in “a decade of expansion,” the board of directors for Willis Group Holdings extended the contract of its chairman and chief executive officer, Joseph J. Plumeri, through July 7, 2013.

Joseph J. Plumeri

Plumeri’s previous agreement with the New York-based firm was set to expire at the company’s annual meeting in April 2011.

In a statement accompanying news of the extension, the global insurance broker’s board of directors said under Plumeri’s leadership, “Willis has advanced its competitive position around the world and successfully navigated the strong headwinds of the continuing soft insurance market and the global economic downturn.” The board added that Plumeri has led the company “through a decade of expansion through quality client service, a commitment to transparency, strategic acquisitions and sector-leading margins.”

“The extraordinary story of how far Willis has come over ten years is a credit to the tireless efforts of our executive team and our nearly 20,000 associates, the sound counsel of our board of directors and the continued support of our clients and shareholders,” said Plumeri, who joined the firm in 2000. “I am as proud of and as passionate about Willis as I’ve ever been and look forward to leading the company through its next stage of growth.”

During his tenure, Willis, the nation’s third largest brokerage, merged with Glen Allen, Va.-based Hilb, Rogal and Hobbs, the nation’s eighth largest brokerage, in 2008 to form Willis HRH, and then moved most of HRH’s executive functions to its New York headquarters. Willis HRH last year inked a deal to have its name placed on the former Sears Tower in Chicago, Ill.