Willis appoints Europe CEO from Mercer

Broker Willis Group Holdings has appointed Raymond Brood, formerly of Mercer, as chief executive officer of its new Human Capital and Benefits practice for Western Europe.

The appointment, effective from May 1, is the first regional leadership role to be announced after the formation of the global HCB practice earlier this year.

Brood, who joins from a senior partner role at Mercer, will unite and coordinate all existing employee benefits and related consulting businesses across Willis in Western Europe.

Brood began his career at ABN and worked at Aegon, MeesPierson and Fortis. In 2003 he joined Mercer as head of Group Benefits and in 2005 was appointed to both the Dutch leadership group and the European Health and Benefits leadership group. Raymond was a senior partner at Mercer and member of the Benelux leadership team.

Tim Wright, chief executive officer of Willis International and leader of the global HCB practice, said: "We are delighted to have Raymond joining us, and look forward to welcoming him to our European and HCB leadership team. He brings a great depth of experience developing all kinds of employee benefit solutions across diverse European markets."

Alberto Gallego, chief executive officer of Willis Western Europe, said: "Human Capital and Benefits is a key growth priority for Western Europe. We already have a great business and talented professionals which provide Raymond with much to build on."

Brood said: "This is a great opportunity to help Willis's clients to manage a wide array of challenges. With demographic changes and the shift of social security from state to individual, managing human capital and employee benefits will be a strategic focal point on the agenda of all companies. More than ever, doing this right will be the key to the sustainable success of companies, both globally and locally."