Mercer
Mercer, one of the world’s leading providers of human resource consulting, outsourcing and investment services, has been enjoying steady growth in Scotland with two recent big office moves to accommodate its expansion programme.
Although the UK headquarters of Mercer is based in London, Scotland is a key market for the company with offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen employing 300 people – one of the country’s largest employers in the services sector.
Expansion in Scotland
Last year, Mercer moved its 200-strong Glasgow office into the city’s landmark development G1 – the city’s former Victorian Post Office overlooking the central George Square. This office primarily manages Mercer’s consulting and outsourcing business.
In Edinburgh the Mercer team has recently expanded into a new office development in the city, right next to the historic Meadows area – home of the Bruntsfield Links, one of the oldest golf courses in the world. The 80-strong team here comprise actuaries, investment consultants, including six specialists from its Financial Strategy Group, and pension scheme administrators.
Steven Blackie, Mercer's regional business leader in Scotland, said: "The recent moves demonstrate our continued commitment to growth and investment in Scotland. We have secured several major new clients in the past year, and our new locations offer the potential to expand our teams further as we continue to develop the business."
Outsourcing continues
Steven said he continues to foresee steady growth for Mercer as more companies look to reduce their costs and financial risks associated with their pensions schemes.
He explained: “Pension administration is a large part of our business and we’ve also established a niche area in this sector with our Financial Strategy Group which looks at aspects such as hedge strategies to restructure the risk profile associated with pensions schemes.
“This expansion means we can offer challenging and interesting work for people with the right skills sets. We cover a wide variety of work from investment to financial modelling and also provide the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients, from SMEs to multinational companies.
Collegiate culture
Steven said that the team in Scotland is comparatively young for a financial services company and that he feels that there is a buoyant atmosphere and collegiate culture at Mercer.
“Everyone here understands how they can play their part, take opportunities, and to push on and get more responsibility because we have a policy of promoting from within. As Mercer is an international company it can also act a springboard to a career around the globe too.
“And we’re also a very social bunch – and we can’t wait until the summer to organise a golf competition on the links behind our new offices!"