Mercer promotes Laura McKim to UK Career Business Leader

Mercer has promoted Laura McKim to the role of UK Career Business Leader. As the professional services firm, which specialises in human resources work, prepares to help clients adapt to post-Brexit HR conundrums, McKim will work to oversee the digitalisation of Mercer’s career services, and provide a more agile, responsive offering in the sector.

Laura McKim brings more than 16 years of experience to her new role at Mercer as UK Career Business Leader. She has occupied the position of UK Career Leader on an interim basis for the past year, and will vacate her most recent role at the firm in order to formally occupy the new position, having become Talent Strategy UK practice leader since 2017.

McKim first arrived at Mercer in 2001, initially as an Analyst before being promoted to Consultant in 2005. Her work at the time was largely focused on design and implementation of flexible benefit schemes and client portfolio management. In 2011, she became a Principal at the firm, focused on client acquisition among other service domains. In 2015 she was made the UK Talent Operations Lead, which saw her merge four legacy businesses and complete an acquisition to form the firm’s UK Talent business. McKim also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Warwick, and a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Southbank University.

In her new role, which sees her join the firm’s leadership team in the UK, as well as overseeing the digitalisation of the firm’s talent functions, McKim is tasked with leading the firm’s Career business, supporting clients that are competing to fulfil their talent requirements in an increasingly tight marketplace. With growing demand and a shrinking talent pool, many businesses face an uncertain future when it comes to attracting skilled workers, particularly as the Brexit deadline approaches in 2019.

Fiona Dunsire, Mercer UK CEO, commented, “Following an extensive selection process I am very pleased that Laura will become our UK Career Business Leader. Laura has already demonstrated her strategic vision for the business, as well as her operational and people leadership capabilities. Mercer prides itself on nurturing its people and it is very rewarding to appoint someone who has been with the firm since the start of her career.”

McKim remarked on her appointment, “It is an exciting time for the Career business as we are uniquely positioned to partner with our clients as they design and execute people strategies and technology solutions which drive strategic change in response to digital disruption. I look forward to continuing to grow our offering and working with my dynamic and talented colleagues in our Career team.”