Financial News Investment Consultant of the Year award

Excellence in Institutional Asset Management in Europe

Mercer Investment Consulting has won the title of Investment Consultant of the Year, beating Watson Wyatt by the narrowest of margins.

Mercer employs 38 researchers in Europe, double the number of six years ago, and encourages all its other consultants to spend at least a fifth of their time researching managers. This research efforts has provided Mercer's clients with 1.6% points of added value over seven years, according to data released by the firm. Apart from a string of prestige pension fund clients, ranging from Imperial Tobacco to Unisys Mercer supplies manager research to multi-manager specialists Escher and Attica, which employs former Mercer consultants Guy Davides and Derek Dunne. 

Mercer was acclaimed by panellists for its pace-making manager research effort. It recently underlined its commitment to the area by appointing Andy Barber*, one of its most senior consultants, to the position of head of European research. 

Mercer works in association with London-based Style Research to ensure that managers are being true to their style. 

* Andy Barber is now Global and European Head of Manager Research

 2003 Financial News awards article

---

Global Pension Award - Investment Consultant of the Year

In 2002, the new branding Mercer's investment consulting business (mercer.com) was launched, which is separate from its human resource practices. This reflected an appreciation within Mercer of the distinctive elements of the investment business, its clients and Mercer's commitment to it. Revenue grew by 10.7% with 62 new clients with assets in excess of US$500m each.

Mercer's investment consulting business launched a third generation investment strategy review process, which amalgamates strategic and active risk, allowing clients to apportion a risk budget for managing their investment arrangements; 375 asset liability studies were completed. Mercer also introduced an FX audit service which enables plans to realise annual savings of 20+ bps through proactive FX transaction monitoring and management.

The judges also recognised Mercer for formulating advice on innovative substitutes to direct bonds, in particular, interest rate swaps and long lease property, and has remained at the forefront of the alternative asset class evolution, working with clients to diversify risk away from traditional equity-biased strategies.