Mercer’s alternatives boutique has announced the appointment of eight senior consultants, in order to expand private equity and alternatives expertise in Europe, North America and Australia, the firm said in a statement.

This includes principal Simon Fox, who will specialise in hedge funds, commodities and timber and agricultural investments. Mr Fox has been with Mercer Investment Consulting for seven years.

Robert Howie joins as a principal and will research hedge funds as well as infrastructure and insurance-linked securities. In addition, he will take on a coordinating role in Europe for Mercer’s alternatives boutique. Mr Howie joined Mercer ten years ago. Previously he worked for Barclays in London and African Life in South Africa.

Sanjay Mistry is a principal and will focus on private equity and less liquid investments. Sanjay has been with Mercer’s investment consulting business since 1998. He previously worked with Eagle Star in the pension review unit.

Amarik Ubhi is an associate and will focus on infrastructure and Mercer’s equities boutique to cover Asia Pacific including Japanese equities. He joined Mercer in 2003.

Messrs Fox, Howie, Mistry and Amarik will all be based in the UK.

In addition, Laura Milligan joins from Adams Street Partners. She has been named a senior associate and will be responsible for private equity strategies in North America. She will be based in Chicago.

Christopher Schelling has also been named a senior associate with a focus on hedge funds. Prior to joining Mercer, he had been with Thomson Reuters, where he was director of alternatives strategies within the capital markets group. Mr Shelling will be based in Chicago.

Shelley Elson has joined Mercer as a senior associate specialising in hedge fund research. She was previously an analyst with Glenwood Capital Investments. Ms Elson will also be based in Chicago.

Jennifer Cowan is a senior associate and specialises in unlisted assets including private equity. She will be based in Sydney. Previously she was a senior analyst with Mariner Financial.

“Our clients are seeking independent investment consulting advice to identify investment talent in these sectors, monitor performance, and put in place proper risk mitigation policies and procedures," said David Kaposi, the global leader of Mercer’s alternatives boutique within Investment Consulting.

"We believe the combination of deep expertise in alternative investments along with Mercer’s global reach is a competitive strength that clients will find attractive,” he added.

Yesterday, this publication had already reported that Mercer has expanded its implemented solutions team, which is part of its investment management business, with the addition of two investment specialists.