Marsh & McLennan Cos. announced that it has appointed a new leader for its Mercer consulting arm. Martine Ferland, currently Mercer group president, will assume the role of president and CEO of Mercer effective March 1. She will report to Marsh & McLennan President and CEO Dan Glaser, and will join the company’s executive committee. Ferland succeeds Julio Portalatin, who led Mercer for seven years as president and CEO. Ferland, who has more than 30 years of experience in the health, wealth and career industries, joined Mercer in 2011 as retirement business leader for Europe and Pacific Region. She was then Europe and Pacific Region president and co-president of Global Health before being named Mercer group president. Portalatin will become a vice chairman of Marsh & McLennan and will continue to report to Glaser. Mercer Health & Benefits employs 1,560 people at its Urbandale offices, according to the 2019 Book of Lists.