Mercer, the global consultancy, has appointed Cara Williams as global head of its wealth management business, operating from London.

For the past six years, Williams has been global chief operating officer at the firm’s investment consulting arm; she will continue in her role as global head of technology solutions, the firm said in a statement.

“Wealth management is rapidly becoming a significant part of Mercer's investment business and the expansion of this exciting business area is fundamental to our stated objective to diversify,” said Phil de Cristo, president and group executive for Mercer’s investment businesses.

Mercer’s wealth management offering is directed at wealth managers, banks, family offices, fund platforms and insurance companies, providing advice, research and implemented solutions to a portfolio of clients around the world.

Hansi Mehrotra, Mercer’s Asia-Pacific head of wealth management consulting, added: “The feedback from senior management of regional private banks in Asia has been welcoming. Mercer's institutional quality global research platform allows regional banks to compete with global private banks on product platforms and investment processes. We are also able to help CEOs with the talent shortage issue by combining technical training with human capital consulting services.”