Mercer boosts NZ Investment expertise with new appointments

Mercer boosts New Zealand Investment expertise with new appointments

19 July 2012

Mercer has boosted its Investments business, announcing the appointment of Philip Houghton-Brown as Leader, Investments, New Zealand.

Mr Houghton-Brown joins Mercer after holding the position of Chief Investment Officer at OnePath New Zealand from 2006.

David Anderson, Mercer’s Managing Director for Australia & New Zealand, said Mr Houghton-Brown’s appointment was indicative of Mercer’s ongoing commitment to the New Zealand market, both from leading client growth and retaining local talent.

“Mercer has a strong presence in New Zealand, we are one of the six default fund providers in the KiwiSaver scheme and our outsourcing, consulting and investment businesses continue to service the retirement needs of New Zealanders.”

Simon Eagleton, Mercer’s Investment Leader for Australia and New Zealand, said Mr Houghton-Brown’s 23 years’ international investment experience and reputable local standing made him the ideal candidate for the role.

“Philip comes to us with impressive credentials and he joins at an ideal time as we’re focused like never before on deepening our relationships with existing clients and introducing the market to our wide continuum of investment services, which range from software tools, through to advice to fully implemented portfolio solutions,” Mr Eagleton said.

In welcoming Mr Houghton-Brown to Mercer, Martin Lewington, Head of Mercer New Zealand, says his own role will now focus on key clients and building the business across all Mercer service offerings.

“I am delighted to have Philip join the team. He is extremely well respected within the industry and has the skills and agility to lead Mercer’s Investment business into new growth sectors,” Mr Lewington said.

Mr Houghton-Brown’s appointment comes at an exciting time for the Investments team, with Russell Garrett moving into the position of Team Leader and Kelvin Sefton appointed as a new Investment Consultant. Wellington-based Kelvin joined Mercer on 2 July 2012 after six years with Ernst & Young in its Tax Advisory and Transfer Pricing business sections.

There are now 10 consultants in the Investment team in New Zealand with plans to recruit a graduate to start in 2013. In addition there are more than 100 investment professionals in Mercer’s Investment business in Australia, providing support for our NZ team and already working with many of our NZ clients.

Mr Houghton-Brown said he was looking forward to undertaking this new challenge and leading Mercer’s Investment business into a strong period of market development.

“This is an exciting time to join a dynamic firm like Mercer as we guide investors who have been shaken by recent market volatility and are looking to manage their risk profile,” Mr Houghton-Brown said.

“Heading up the Investment team and utilising my significant experience within the sector will allow me the opportunity to develop both existing and new client relationships as we expand the business within the region.”

Mr Houghton-Brown joins Mercer on 23 July and will be based in Auckland.

About Mercer

Mercer is a global leader in human resource consulting and related services. The firm works with clients to solve their most complex human capital issues by designing and helping manage health, retirement and other benefits. Mercer’s 20,000 employees are based in more than 40 countries. Mercer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE: MMC), a global team of professional services companies offering clients advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy and human capital. With 52,000 employees worldwide and annual revenue exceeding $10 billion, Marsh & McLennan Companies is also the parent company of Marsh, a global leader in insurance broking and risk management; Guy Carpenter, a global leader in providing risk and reinsurance intermediary services; and Oliver Wyman, a global leader in management consulting. For more information, visit www.mercer.co.nz. Follow Mercer on Twitter @MercerInsights

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