Aon Corp. announced Friday it will move its corporate headquarters from Chicago to London.
The Windy City will remain Aon's headquarters in the Americas, though, and the company plans no layoffs in town.
The company, which said in a statement the shift will help gain access to emerging markets, even plans to move 750 jobs into the Aon Center downtown. Currently Aon has 6,000 workers in the Chicago area.
Spokesman David Prosperi said the new jobs will come from anticipated growth in the U.S. and from relocation of people in other parts of the country.
The jobs are what Mayor Rahm Emanuel focused on in his reaction Friday to the news.
"Chicago will remain Aon's North American headquarters, and as Aon doubles down on its commitment to our city, they will add 750 jobs for Chicagoans," Emanuel said. "And while I am sorry to see the official headquarters move to London, Aon remains an outstanding corporate citizen in Chicago and we look forward to their continued growth and investment in the City's business landscape."
In its announcement Friday, Aon said it plans to add more than 1,000 jobs across the country in 2012.
“As the proportion of Aon’s revenue from international operations continues to grow, the ability to allocate capital for investment and growth will be vital to the firm’s continued success,” the company said in a statement.
