Mercer, the consulting, outsourcing and investment services firm, has made a number of top-level changes to the management of its investment and retirement, risk and finance businesses.

The changes will see Andrew Kirton – the global head of investment consulting – take on the newly-created role of global chief investment officer, reporting to Phil de Cristo, president and group executive of investments.

Meanwhile, Asghar Alam will assume Kirton’s previous position, overseeing the firm’s global investment consulting activities. He was latterly US regional business leader for retirement, risk & finance.

Jacques Goulet, currently regional business leader for Europe, Middle East and Africa for retirement, risk & finance, will move to the US to take over Alam’s former role as regional business leader for the same division. Until a successor is found for Goulet’s current position, Gilles Beneplanc, region leader for Europe, Middle East and Africa, will assume his responsibilities.

David Goldenberg, Mercer’s general counsel, will transfer to the investment business as global head of solutions management. He will “lead a solutions development and management function that will provide oversight to all investment-related solutions that Mercer offers to clients,” according to a statement from the firm.

A replacement for him as general counsel will be announced in due course, the firm said.