Marsh Names Second Director for Multinational Client Service Division

Insurance broker and risk adviser Marsh USA Inc. appointed Jay Sharma, an industry veteran with 18 years experience, as its multinational client service director, charged with the task of helping Marsh's clients conduct international business as seamlessly as possible.

Sharma will work closely with president Hank Allen and Elizabeth Demaret, who joined Marsh in July also in the role of director of the multinational client service division. Demaret and Sharma are charged with, among other things, helping clients navigate through local regulations, compliance rules and customs.

"There's a greater awareness, focus and sensitivity to play by all the rules," Sharma said. "The primary focus for us is to make sure we have strong processes in place and that there's a high degree of communication."

Sharma joined Marsh in 1992 as a member of its aviation team, an industry that is by nature multinational. He grew up in India, spent time living in Europe, and went to college in United States.

Marsh recently launched a global rail practice (BestWire, Aug. 18, 2010).

Marsh has more than 24,000 employees and serves clients in more than 100 countries. Marsh is a unit of Marsh & McLennan Cos., ranked number one by 2009 total revenue in Best's Review's top global insurance brokers ranking. In late-afternoon trading on Aug. 30, shares of Marsh (NYSE: MMC) were trading at $23.75, down 0.88% from the previous close.

(By Diana Rosenberg, senior associate editor, BestWeek)