Mercer has named Jo Holden global head of investment research replacing Deb Clarke, who has held this role for the past eight years.
Mercer’s global research team’s asset class specialists support work across traditional core products to other absolute return strategies including liquid alternatives, multi-asset, currency, and private markets among others.
In her new role, Holden is responsible for Mercer’s manager and strategic research, overseeing a more than 100 asset-class specialists across liquid alternatives, fixed income and equities. She also now manages the teams responsible for strategic asset allocation, dynamic asset allocation, strategic research and responsible investing which support Mercer’s full range of client solutions, from digital delivery of research to traditional investment consulting advice to discretionary investment solutions.
Holden was previously chief investment officer for Mercer’s UK Investments & Retirement business and European strategic director of research, a role in which she was responsible for Mercer’s client base in the UK and Europe. Holden has worked for Mercer for the past 19 years. She will report to Mercer president, investments & retirement Rich Nuzum.
Clarke will be retiring from Mercer at the end of June and in the interim will serve as global research chair.
Nuzum says: “Jo is an established, well-regarded leader with many years of experience providing exceptional guidance and solutions to our clients.
“Our globally coordinated research is core to our investment proposition so we are delighted to have Jo build on the outstanding work that Deb has done leading our research teams in identifying promising investment opportunities for our clients.
“I want to thank Deb for the strong leadership she has provided during her time at Mercer. Deb has helped to shape many critical topics in our industry such as incorporating environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into investment policy, and on diversity, inclusion and culture within the investment sector.”