Insurance broker Marsh has named Greg Arms as global head of the firm's Employee Benefits Practice with the aim of forming a closer working relationship with the broker's sister consulting firm Mercer.

Based in Marsh's world headquarters in New York, the broker said he will be responsible for leading the firm's employee benefits business around the world. He will report jointly to Joseph McSweeny, president, U.S./Canada, and Alexander Moczarski, president, International.

Marsh said that in the United States, Mr. Arms will work to expand the collaboration that exists between Marsh and the consulting firm Mercer, outsourcing and investment solutions in the human resources and financial areas.

Both Marsh and Mercer are subsidiaries of New York-based Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc.

In an interview with National Underwriter, Mr. Arms said he will be focusing on strengthening and bringing added focus to building a stronger relationship between Marsh and Mercer in the benefits area.

The two have worked separately in the past on developing this business segment. His aim will be to bring “deeper collaboration” between the two.

Taking Marsh's established reputation across a broad segment of the market and coupling that with Mercer's intellectual capital and outsourcing capabilities, his aim will be to “bring together the best in class in each area.”

“[Employers] need solutions, not just a placement service,” he said.

As head of the practice Marsh said that Mr. Arms will also focus on specific segments, such as small businesses, where Marsh provides employee benefit brokerage services and can deliver the intellectual capital and solutions of Mercer's Health & Benefits business on behalf of clients.

Mr. Arms said the prime challenge with small business will be to meet the demand for solutions that clients desire while at the same time processing the business efficiently and profitably. He indicated that technology will be the driving force behind developing an effective and efficient model to accomplish that goal.

“We have the foundation in house; we need to turn up the dial and take it to market,” he said.

Outside the United States, Mr. Arms intends to work closely with Marsh's country and regional leaders throughout the world to enhance joint Marsh-Mercer operations, as well as employee benefits activities in countries where Marsh is the sole MMC provider of employee benefits services.

In a 30-year career, Mr. Arms was most recently chairman and chief executive officer of Willis Group Holdings' Global Employee Benefits Practice. Earlier, he was chief marketing officer and International CEO of UnitedHealth Group. In both positions he was responsible for developing the firm's international business strategy.

Mr. Arms began his career in 1978 at the Travelers Insurance Company, moving over to American International Group Inc. in 1980 where he spent 24 years in a number of leadership positions.

“I'm just thrilled to be here,” said Mr. Arms. “I've admired Marsh for a long time on the outside and it is nice to be on the inside now.”