Willis Towers Watson plc WLTW has inked an initial, non-binding agreement to acquire Leaderim. This marks its efforts to strengthen its presence in Israel.Boasting one of the leading insurance brokers in Israel, Leaderim has been in operations for more than two decades, providing a broad range of commercial insurance solutions in Israel. It also creates multinational risk programs for global companies operating in Israel. Thus, the addition of Leaderim will help the acquirer grow in the Middle East, thus expanding global operations.Pamela Thomson-Hall, Head of Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa at Willis Towers Watson stated, “We are focused on investing in high quality businesses, exceptional talent and thriving markets, and our agreement with Leaderim reflects that strategy.”Willis Towers has already been operating in Israel for many years through a correspondent partner. The acquirer also serves other Middle East countries including Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.Willis Towers' strategic acquisitions have expanded its geographical footprint in the last few years in countries like Italy, Canada, the U.K. and France as well as ramped up product portfolio. Willis Towers that was formed with the merger of Willis Group and Towers Watson in January 2016 is a testimony of its efforts to pursue strategic opportunities that will ramp up its growth profile by combining forces and leverage strengths.Post the fallout of the merger between Willis Towers and Aon plc AON last month, this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) insurance broker, on its earnings call, announced that it will continue to invest in both organic and inorganic growth opportunities across its whole portfolio of businesses, both brokerage and consulting. Hence, this endeavor is in tandem with its growth strategy.Shares of Willis Towers Watson have gained 2.7% year to date, underperforming the industry's increase of 8.1%. Focus on realizing operational efficiencies, investment in new growth avenues, and solid customer retention will help it outperform its industry. Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchGiven insurance industry’s adequate capital level, players are pursuing strategic mergers and acquisitions. Recently, Brown & Brown’s BRO subsidiary Brown & Brown of Massachusetts, LLC has agreed to buy assets and operations of Berkshire Insurance Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. BHLB.You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double" From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all. You know this company from its past glory days, but few would expect that it's poised for a monster turnaround. Fresh from a successful repositioning and flush with A-list celeb endorsements, it could rival or surpass other recent Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in a little more than 9 months and Nvidia which boomed +175.9% in one year.Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Aon plc (AON): Free Stock Analysis Report Brown & Brown, Inc. (BRO): Free Stock Analysis Report Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (BHLB): Free Stock Analysis Report Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (WLTW): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research