MMC Seeks More Diversity In Its Ranks

NU Online News Service, May 22, 10:40 a.m. EDT

Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc. said it is partnering with an executive search firm to recruit a more racially and sexually diverse work force.

MMC said earlier this week it is designating 10 percent of the work it gives the search firm Heidrick & Struggles International Inc. to go to women and minority owned businesses.

The New York-based services company, the parent company of insurance broker Marsh and reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter, said it is combining with Chicago-based Heidrick & Struggles "on a groundbreaking diversity recruitment initiative" designed to attract "a broader and more diverse talent pool to MMC."

"MMC is committed to providing our global client base with the innovative solutions and unique perspectives of a diverse workforce, while fostering an inclusive environment that encourages the highest level of confidence among both clients and employees," said Orlando Ashford, senior vice president and chief human resources officer at MMC in a statement.

Mr. Ashford said with Heidrick & Struggles, it expects to locate and develop diverse talent and also open doors for women-owned and minority-owned firms. He added that he hoped the partnership would be "emulated by companies beyond our industry."

MMC said under the partnership, the executive search firm would give at least 10 percent of its work for MMC to women-owned and minority-owned executive search firms. It would also help these firms identify other opportunities where their services could be of assistance to the company.

"Heidrick's management of this process will help MMC fulfill a commitment to recruit diverse candidates and cultivate diversity among its vendors," MMC said.

MMC said that in addition to providing access to a broad range of candidates, including women, people of color, and members of the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) communities to MMC, Heidrick would also assist with training and other services for some of the women-owned and minority-owned search firms.