Mercer has created the new role of global chief investment officer for mainstream assets in response to the expansion of its investment management business. Russell Clarke, the current Asia Pacific CIO, will take on the new role with responsibility for decisions concerning traditional asset classes like equities, property, fixed interest and multi-asset portfolios.
Replacing Clarke will be senior portfolio manager Andrew Howard, while senior portfolio strategist Phil Graham will become deputy CIO for Asia Pacific. Staff hires are planned over the coming months to fill the vacancies resulting from these internal promotions.
Clarke will now report to Mercer’s London-based global CIO, Andrew Kirkton, while regional CIOs across the globe will report to him.
Clarke said he will transfer his responsibilities to Howard in a phased process to ensure continuity and a smooth transition.
Mercer’s investment management business leader for Asia Pacific said local investment management clients would benefit from Clarke’s move to the new global role, as it would enable even stronger advocacy of local issues at the highest levels within Mercer internationally.
