Cathy Hales was named chief executive officer of wealth for the Pacific region at Mercer, the firm said in a statement on Monday.
In this newly created role, she leads Mercer's portfolio in Australia and New Zealand, including Mercer Super Trust, which manages A$63 billion ($43.1 billion) in assets as of March 31.
The portfolio also includes the company's multimanager and investment solutions business in the Pacific, as well as Mercer's superannuation services arm, which provides clients with administration and financial advice services.
Ms. Hales joined the firm on Monday and reports to David Bryant, the Pacific CEO of parent company Marsh McLennan and president of Mercer Pacific, the statement said. She is based in Sydney.
She has three decades of financial services experience, including as global head of Fidante Partners, the multiboutique investment platform owned by Challenger Group. She previously held positions at Deutsche Bank's alternative asset management business, BT Funds Management and Colonial First State.
A Mercer spokeswoman did not immediately respond to additional queries about the role.
