Mercer Marsh Benefits promotes Chris Bailey and Tony Wood

10 November 2021 Consultancy.uk

Chris Bailey has been named as the new UK and Ireland leader of Mercer Marsh Benefits. His predecessor, Tony Wood, has meanwhile stepped into the role of the firm’s Managing Director for Continental Europe.

Part of the global Marsh McLennan Group, Mercer Marsh Benefits has 7,000 staff, servicing clients in more than 150 countries. The firm supports clients with all aspects of their employee benefits, from strategic advice and design and implementation (provided by HR consultancy Mercer) to insurance and administration services (provided by Marsh).

As the firm looks to support clients across Europe, it has named a new Regional Leader for Continental Europe. Tony Wood joined Mercer Marsh Benefits in 2014, and served as UK and Ireland leader since then – as well as leading its UK Career business for the last year.

Chris Bailey and Tony Wood

Wood will now take responsibility for Mercer Marsh Benefits’ financial performance, people management and governance across 32 countries; as well as sitting on the international leadership team. He will report to Hervé Balzano, President, Health at Mercer and Mercer Marsh Benefits Leader globally.

Balzano said of the news, “As one of Mercer and Marsh’s key growth drivers, Mercer Marsh Benefits continues to gain momentum in its ambition to achieve continued growth and deliver specialist and strategy expertise that meet the needs of our clients and their employees… [This appointment] will make a real difference to our clients as they seek to solve their most complex health and wellbeing challenges.”

Meanwhile, stepping into the role vacated by Wood, Chris Bailey has been named as the new Mercer Marsh Benefits Leader for the UK and Ireland. The role will see Wood be responsible for driving growth in the region, and helping clients design, deliver and finance health and risk protection benefit programmes that are affordable and competitive, supports the workforce and attracts and retains top talent.

Bailey will report to Sylvia Pozezanac, President and CEO Mercer in the United Kingdom.

Pozezanac remarked, “Chris and Tony have played significant roles in the growth of the business by delivering solutions and expertise that truly benefit our clients. We look forward to collaborating across our Marsh McLennan enterprise to deliver the best outcomes for our clients.”