Arnau Vila Llavina is taking on the role of Mercer Marsh Benefits multinational leader as John Deegan retires after more than seven years in the position and 25 years with the organisation.
Vila joins from multinational insurer Zurich where he has been head of Zurich Global Employee Benefit Solutions and chief executive officer of Zurich Intermediary Group.
He will take up the position at MMB on 1 July.
In his new role, Vila will lead MMB’s multinational business and focus on expanding global capabilities and deepening insurer and network partnerships.
The firm said he will also drive the delivery of differentiated health and benefit solutions designed to help clients manage complexity, address evolving workforce needs, and navigate market changes in benefit design and provision.
Marsh noted that Vila had “built a distinguished 20-year career leading international employee benefits and intermediary businesses” at the insurer.
This includes overseeing large, complex multinational portfolios, working closely with global employers, brokers, and carrier partners across regions, and driving sustained commercial growth across markets, it added.
Deegan retiring
Deegan has spent more than 25 years within the Mercer Marsh McLennan organisation, with roles in employee benefits and health consulting.
For the last seven years he has been MMB multinational and Darwin leader. Prior to that his roles included regional sales leader and European sales leader for Mercer.
The firm said Deegan was retiring “following a distinguished career and significant contribution to the development of Marsh’s health and benefits business”.
‘Growing complexity’ for employers
Hervé Balzano, president of health and benefits and Mercer Marsh Benefits global leader, said: “Arnau brings deep sector expertise, strong international leadership experience, and a proven track record of building high-performing teams and scalable global platforms.
“His leadership will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our position as a leading adviser in the multinational employee benefits space and deliver innovative broking, advisory and digital solutions.”
Arnau Vila Llavina added: “Multinational employers face growing complexity as they look to manage employee benefits across borders.
“I look forward to working with our clients to help them navigate these regulatory and operational challenges so they can better meet the evolving needs of their workforce.”