GLOBAL – Mercer says plans are now “well under way” to expand its new multi-management service into the UK, Ireland and continental Europe following its US launch.

The new business will use research into asset managers from Mercer Investment Consulting.

Mercer said in a release that its Mercer Global Investments arm has now formally launched in the US – and that it has already begun working with a number of major US clients.

"With MGI off to a promising start in the US, and plans well under way for expansion into the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe, Japan, and Canada, we expect this to be an important growth business for us," said Brian Storms, chief executive of Mercer Human Resource Consulting.

"The global multi-manager market is expanding dramatically, and Mercer is uniquely positioned to build a leading investment platform in this exciting growth segment."

Mercer says its similar Australian Master Trust business has been a “resounding success”.

Barry McInerney will lead the new business in the US, while Ravi Venkataraman will be chief investment officer.

Mercer said MGI would “leverage” the manager research expertise of Mercer Investment Consulting. But the governance, staffing, decision-making - including manager selection - would remain “entirely separate”.

"MGI will employ rigorous, best-practice governance and compliance models to ensure full disclosure, transparency, and uniform pricing," said McInerney. "Our clients expect and deserve nothing less."