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Aon Announces New Chicago Leadership Appointments

The firm appoints Chris Rafferty as chief integration officer and names Steven Carleton as the new Chicago market leader.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in People

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Aon has appointed Chris Rafferty to head its integration management office and named Steven Carleton as the new Chicago market leader. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Aon has named veteran staff members Chris Rafferty and Steven Carleton to key executive roles within the company. Rafferty moves to lead the firm's integration management office, while Carleton assumes the position of Chicago market leader.

Why it matters

These appointments come as Aon prepares to integrate its upcoming $17 billion acquisition of USI Insurance Services. The leadership shuffle aims to ensure steady oversight of this major transition in the insurance industry.

Aon plans to acquire USI Insurance Services for $17 billion, a transaction following the $13 billion acquisition of NFP announced 18 months prior.

The players

Aon

Aon is a leading global professional services firm that provides a wide range of risk, retirement, and health solutions.

Chris Rafferty

Chris Rafferty is an experienced Aon executive who previously served as the Chicago market leader and has been with the company since 2007.

Steven Carleton

Steven Carleton is a senior leader at Aon who has served as the Midwest regional sales leader since joining the firm in 2011.

USI Insurance Services

USI Insurance Services is a prominent insurance brokerage and consulting firm that Aon has agreed to acquire.

The details

Chris Rafferty, who joined the firm in 2007 and served as Chicago market leader since 2024, will now oversee the integration management office. Steven Carleton, a company veteran since 2011 currently serving as Midwest regional sales leader, succeeds Rafferty in the Chicago role.

Timeline

  1. Chris Rafferty joined Aon in 2007.

  2. Steven Carleton joined Aon in 2011.

  3. Chris Rafferty became Chicago market leader in 2024.

  4. Aon agreed to acquire USI Insurance Services in August 2026.

  5. Aon named Rafferty chief integration officer and Carleton leader in October 2026.

Market Landscape

These executive shifts reflect the broader consolidation trend currently defining the global insurance brokerage sector. By formalizing a dedicated integration office, the company is positioning itself to manage the logistical complexities inherent in multi-billion dollar acquisitions.

These internal leadership moves are unlikely to have an immediate effect on the day-to-day services provided to local clients in Chicago. Customers should expect business to continue as normal while the firm focuses its resources on the long-term acquisition process.

The takeaway

Large-scale corporate acquisitions require significant internal restructuring to ensure success. Businesses often appoint seasoned leaders to these roles to protect existing client relationships during periods of rapid growth.

Further reading

For more on local leadership changes, visit the People section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Business Insurance.

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Do you believe the ongoing wave of multi-billion dollar corporate mergers ultimately benefits the average consumer?