Marsh McLennan at Davos
MARSH & McLENNAN COMPANIES

Marsh McLennan at Davos

Driving impact together to build a resilient world | Jan 20-24, 2025

World Economic Forum Meeting
Collaboration for the Intelligent Age

The World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2025 convened global leaders in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, from January 20-24 to address key global and regional challenges. Under the theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age,” the program covered responding to geopolitical shocks, stimulating growth to improve living standards, and stewarding a just and inclusive energy transition.

Marsh McLennan helps businesses and communities know more, so they can do more. Through our four businesses — Marsh, Guy Carpenter, Mercer, and Oliver Wyman — we bring unparalleled insight and perspective so that leaders can take action. Across industries, geographies, and markets, we are committed to helping our stakeholders drive impact in the ways that matter most to them. Our leaders and experts were on the ground helping clients and prospects understand how they can do more.

On the ground
Marsh McLennan events at Davos

Our events at Davos are designed to spark collaborative action on a range of issues facing business leaders in the intelligent age. We led discussions on transforming organizations into stronger, more resilient, and human-centric enterprises; charting the future of financial services; mitigating climate-driven health risks through innovation; and capitalizing on private markets growth. We also explored this year’s five key themes – reimagining growth, rebuilding trust, industries in the intelligent age, safeguarding the planet, and investing in people.

Thriving amid disruption: CEO strategies for transformation

Mercer’s Global Transformation Leader Ravin Jesuthasan and Oliver Wyman’s Chief Knowledge Officer and Oliver Wyman Forum’s COO, Ana Kreacic, along with industry leaders, engaged in a breakfast discussion focused on transformation, sustainable growth, and the impact of technology, particularly AI, on business practices.  The conversation highlighted the convergence of geopolitical upheaval, economic nationalism, rapid AI evolution, climate change, and generational demographic shifts, which create both significant threats and abundant opportunities. 

 

Conversations around AI are shifting from productivity and cost savings to revenue growth. 96% of CEOs see AI as an opportunity, yet only 17% report that their AI investments have exceeded expectations. With the rapid evolution of skills, continuous learning is essential for developing an adaptable workforce, and fostering trust and communication is critical as technology advances faster than human skill development, especially since only 26% of employees perceive high collaboration levels. In this context, today’s leaders, shaped by past experiences, are well-equipped to navigate the uncertainties ahead and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Charting the Future of Financial Services​

Oliver Wyman held its Annual Financial Services lunch in Davos.  Financial services CEOs and investors heard perspectives from Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management and Karen Karniol-Tambour, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Bridgewater Associates, on a range of topics around investing and financial services in a lively discussion moderated by Oliver Wyman's Financial Services Vice Chair, Huw van Steenis.  They  discussed the challenges investors are trying to solve right now in their portfolios – whether the pivots in US policy, market concentration/AI. They also covered weighing the risks of tariffs on stocks, decarbonization, private credit, and whether the US outperformance of Europe & China will widen further. 

Decoding Geopolitical Dynamics

Mitigating climate-driven health risks through innovation​

Mercer and Oliver Wyman hosted a joint health breakfast session titled “Mitigating Climate-Driven Health Risks Through Innovation,” bringing together global leaders to address the urgent health and economic challenges posed by climate change.  Pat Tomlinson, CEO of Mercer, emphasized the critical intersection of climate and health, citing new Health on Demand research that 77% of employees globally have faced climate-related impacts. Dr. Oliver Eitelwein, Partner, Health and Life Sciences at Oliver Wyman highlighted insights from the new report on the economic cost of climate change to health systems, stressing the need for proactive investments. Rt Hon. Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand Former Administrator of UNDP was joined by Terry Stone, Managing Partner, Health and Life Sciences at Oliver Wyman in emphasizing the need to frame climate risks at the individual health level and highlighting the insurance sector as a key partner.  Lastly, Hervé Balzano, President of Health, Mercer and Mercer Marsh Benefits, concluded the session with a panel of distinguished leaders. The solutions discussed - spanning technology, community-driven care, and innovative funding models - offer a roadmap for collective action and health system resilience in the face of one of the greatest challenges of our time.

Capitalizing on private markets growth

Institutional asset owners are increasingly allocating to private markets. At the same time, private markets are becoming more critical to the functioning of the real-world economy. Alongside private equity and credit, infrastructure, and real estate, there is a growing list of niche and esoteric investment opportunities to consider.

At our breakfast session in Davos, Mercer’s Head of Wealth Mick Dempsey, and Executive Director, Investments & Global Chief Investment Strategist Rich Nuzum—along with our panelists from APG Asset Management, Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, Nuveen, Swiss Re, and TCW—discussed opportunities and challenges arising from the ongoing growth and innovation in private market investing. In our highly interactive session, we examined the surfeit of choice in private markets, attracting talent, staying ahead on data, digital and technology, and the relative advantages of different approaches to accessing private markets.

To discover more insights on this topic, download our latest paper and explore our upcoming series of Mercer Global Investment Forums.

Boosting Supply Chain Agility with Technology​

Celebrating 10 years of Blue Marble​

Representation Matters at Davos​

Solutions and capabilities
How Marsh McLennan helps clients

Transform your business and workforce through AI

AI brings both challenges and opportunities for businesses. It has the power to boost productivity, enhance decision-making, improve client experiences, and transform business models and the work experience. However, it also generates risks that need careful management to ensure security, compliance, the right return on investment, and optimal recovery should a catastrophic loss occur. At Marsh McLennan, we are leading the way in responsible AI adoption and using that experience to advise our clients on how to harness AI's potential to drive innovation, mitigate risks, and achieve growth.

Beyond Davos, join Mercer for deep dive conversations throughout 2025 into the rise and influence of AI in the HR function through our exclusive Generative AI Forum. Take control of your supply chain risk using our AI-powered platform, Sentrisk™, which can help you transform your exposures into business opportunity through best-in-market data capabilities. And with Oliver Wyman Quotient, gain access to strategic AI capabilities and a global team of 300+ data scientists, engineers, and designers, and thousands of industry experts in one place.

Improve your employee well-being and business resilience

The future of work depends on healthy, focused employees, while employee health and well-being influences productivity, safety, business continuity, employer brand, organizational performance, and benefit costs.

Organizations need to keep costs to a minimum and protect the bottom line, while also meeting changing regulations, managing complex risk exposures, and simplifying program administration. Organizations also want to invest in their people — attract and retain the best talent and give employees benefits that truly benefit themselves and loved ones. We understand the importance of balancing both.

Mercer Marsh Benefits helps you access high-quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare globally and locally, and use digital health to engage your employees in a more personalized, social, and convenient way. We can also help you understand how health impacts your employees and your business, and build a roadmap with transformative solutions using proven methodologies and analytical tools.

Address your climate risks

Climate change and related risks are increasingly influencing the frequency and severity of natural catastrophe perils and losses. At the same time, the shift to a less-polluting, lower-carbon economy is spawning multiple transition risks across diverse industries and geographies.

As the business cases and approaches to climate adaptation and resilience continue to evolve, organizations require trusted partners with the scale, reach, and capabilities needed to mitigate challenges and be successful. You can benefit from Marsh McLennan’s deep understanding of climate-related risks, our integrated approach and innovative solutions, and our vast network of specialists and resources worldwide to assess, manage, and respond to your climate and nature risks more effectively.

Optimize your investment portfolios and sustainable investment strategy

Balancing investor risks, returns, and reputational requirements has become an increasingly complex challenge. Investors need to be in a position to make efficient decisions. They therefore need access to the right expertise and resources. That’s why many investors look externally for strategic portfolio management advice, access to manager research, and support with asset allocation and day-to-day operations.

Investors use Mercer’s outsourced investment solutions to address challenges such as: cost pressures, operational inefficiencies, resource constraints, regulatory changes, manager sourcing, access to private market opportunities, impact investing, and integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and reporting into portfolios.

We offer research, financial tools, and investment solutions to help you achieve your investment goals. As your outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO), we work as an extension of your team, addressing issues such as investment governance and due diligence. We also cover risk mitigation, sustainability, alternative investments, and cost management. We flex our services to suit your requirements and determine the best way to future-proof your portfolio.

Build your cyber resilience

Digital risks continue to rise with technological advances, greater interconnectedness across physical and IT systems, and the rise of malign and sophisticated actors. By building cyber resilience, organizations, industries, governments, and individuals alike help facilitate future innovation and prosperity.

Cyber risk is an enterprise-wide, strategic business exposure that threatens the confidentiality of information, the availability of networks, the integrity of data and systems, and the ability to operate in today’s deeply interconnected economy and society. Organizations should approach managing cyber risk as one team, inclusive of business, security, operational, and risk experts.

Similarly, Marsh McLennan takes an enterprise-wide approach to helping you build cyber resilience in your business, your people, and your strategy. We cover nearly every aspect of cyber risk, empowering you with data and analytics, insights, risk financing, and strategies to act with agility when approaching your current cyber demands, to be proactive in managing new technologies and operational needs, or to respond rapidly when cyber threats emerge. Working together, we can help you, your businesses, and our communities see beyond cyber risk and realize possibility in the digital economy.

Thought leadership
Insights to drive conversations at Davos
Explore some of the latest reports and insights developed by our experts around the world to help drive critical conversations around work, climate, society, and the economy.
Leadership
Our Leadership and Experts 
John Q. Doyle
President & Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Doyle is President and CEO of Marsh McLennan. Previously, Mr. Doyle served as Group President and Chief Operating Officer, responsible for the strategy and operational objectives of Marsh McLennan’s four global businesses. He joined the firm in 2016 as President of Marsh, then led Marsh as President and CEO from 2017 to 2021. An industry veteran with more than 35 years of management experience, Mr. Doyle began his career at AIG, where he held several executive positions. He is a member of the Board of the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund, a Trustee of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund and a member of the Board of Overseers of the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science at St. John’s University. Mr. Doyle serves as the Chairman of the US Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance.
Nick Studer
President and CEO of Oliver Wyman Group
Nick has over 20 years of experience consulting in the UK, Continental Europe and North America. He has worked with chief executives and other senior leaders of the world's top companies on topics spanning governance, strategy, financial planning, risk management and public policy and regulatory response. Nick has advised senior government leaders and policy makers on topics of industry competitiveness and stability, and supported the World Economic Forum on the Role of Financial Services in Society. He has co-authored many articles and studies, including support for Her Majesty's Treasury in proposing a 10-year vision for the Global Competitiveness of the UK's Financial Services Industry; and several projects leading the global debate on compensation. Nick was a founding Director of TheCityUK and a founding advisory board member of the FICC Markets Standards Board.
Katherine J. Brennan
Senior Vice President & General Counsel
Ms. Brennan leads Marsh McLennan’s global legal, compliance and public affairs function, which supports the Company’s four businesses, Marsh, Guy Carpenter, Mercer and Oliver Wyman. She also leads the Company’s ESG efforts. Ms. Brennan has held several legal and compliance leadership roles at Marsh McLennan, serving most recently as General Counsel, Marsh LLC. She also served as Deputy General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer for Marsh McLennan from 2017 to 2021, and prior to that, as General Counsel of Guy Carpenter. Ms. Brennan currently serves on the Board of the Red Cross of Greater New York.
Amy Barnes
Head of Climate and Sustainability Strategy
Amy leads our global Climate Change and Sustainability strategy. Prior to this Amy held a number of leadership roles with Marsh’s Global Energy, Power & Renewables business. Amy has a respected depth and breadth of experience assisting some of the largest and most complex companies manage risks. This experience enables Amy to have a deep understanding of a wide range of clients’ risk management approaches and can offer a number of perspectives to insurance and risk management discussions.
Cara Williams
Senior Partner, Global Head of ESG and Sustainability
Cara leads the program of work to articulate and amplify Mercer’s ESG value proposition and positioning, embed sustainability in the journey to a bright future, and drive highly-practical, relevant and value-added outcomes both internally and externally. Cara oversees Mercer’s Private Wealth businesses in Canada and India, and also works with Mercer’s multinational clients to deliver the best of Mercer’s broad Wealth solutions to assure positive financial outcomes for organizations and their employees. Cara is Senior Partner and presents regularly on global ESG, sustainability, diversity and investment trends.
Ravin Jesuthasan
Global Leader for Transformation Services, Mercer
Ravin is a recognized global thought leader and industry shaper with a deep understanding of the future of work, human capital and workforce transformation. He has nearly 30 years in the HR consulting industry. His experience includes leading large-scale restructuring and transformation engagements for multinational companies. Ravin is a regular participant and presenter at the World Economic Forum’s annual meetings and is a member of the forum’s Steering Committee on Work and Employment.
Ted Moynihan
Global Head of Industries, Oliver Wyman
Ted is a Partner and Global Head of Financial Services. Prior to this, Ted led Oliver Wyman Financial Services in Europe and served as the Global Head of the Corporate & Institutional Banking Practice. Ted's background is in mathematics and control engineering, which was his specialty for a number of years before joining Oliver Wyman. Ted has concentrated on investment banking strategy, and in recent years has led several bank-wide initiatives for global bulge firms, looking at strategic opportunities across all business lines and reporting regularly directly to the executive committees on a range of issues.
John Romeo
Managing Partner, Head of the Oliver Wyman Forum
John is a Managing Partner at Oliver Wyman and Head of the Oliver Wyman Forum, the firm’s platform for engaging key business, public policy and societal leaders to act on shared challenges and create positive impact in society. John also founded and continues to lead Oliver Wyman’s Private Capital business, working with leading Private Equity funds and alternative asset managers on business model strategy, deal generation, diligence and value creation. He has over 25 years of consulting experience advising the boards and senior executives of the world’s leading private and public sector organizations on strategy, organizational effectiveness, risk management and M&A.
Hervé Balzano
President, Health & Benefits at Mercer and Marsh
Hervé is the global leader of Mercer and Marsh’s Health & Benefits practice, with extensive experience in financing health and risk protection through insurance, reinsurance and professional services. As a strong advocate for innovation and value creation, he prioritized the adoption of digital services throughout the pandemic, including mental health access, and has spearheaded record-breaking responses in creating services to address clients’ needs during crisis and conflicts. Hervé has a track record of disrupting the health & benefits space, with a focus on collaboration across the ecosystem. He is proud of the work that Marsh McLennan does to assure health coverage and other financial protections for millions of employees across 144 countries and in being able to make a difference in people’s lives.
Rich Nuzum
Executive Director, Investments, Mercer
Rich is Executive Director, Investments and Global Chief Investment Strategist for Mercer. He works with some of Mercer’s largest, most sophisticated clients and is accountable for Mercer’s “innovation agenda,” including the creation and development of thought leadership and related products and services across the firm. Over the last 30+ years, Rich has provided investment advice to clients in more than 20 countries, including many of the world’s largest institutional investors. He has also led social security and other long term savings reform projects in five countries and one US state. Rich has led Mercer’s work in several projects with the World Economic Forum, including work related to transformational investment, and to the longevity economy.
Ana Kreacic
Chief Knowledge Officer, Oliver Wyman
Ana Kreacic is a Partner and Chief Knowledge Officer of Oliver Wyman and the Chief Operating Officer of the Oliver Wyman Forum – the hub for Oliver Wyman’s flagship research and a platform for engaging business, public policy, and societal leaders to act on shared challenges.
Mick Dempsey
President, Investments & Retirement, Mercer
Mick Dempsey is President of Mercer’s Investments & Retirement business, which includes a diverse portfolio of services and solutions, including investment consulting, open architecture manager-of-managers investment management, and retirement actuarial consulting services. Since joining Mercer in 1999, Mick has held numerous business and commercial leadership roles across Wealth. Most recently, he was Global Leader of Investment Solutions & Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO). Prior to leading Mercer’s OCIO business, he served as an investment consultant, leading large client relationships in Europe and developing solutions across the full spectrum of retirement and investment-related issues. Mick is a CFA charterholder and holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in business from the Michael Smurfit UCD Business School. Mick takes great pride in helping clients achieve better financial security and investment outcomes. As a leader, he is committed to supporting colleague growth, fostering a diverse and inclusive working environment, and building collaborative and purpose-driven teams.
See how we can help you address the challenges of the intelligent age