Marsh Inc. today announced that it has appointed David Bidmead, currently leader of its US West Zone and previously CEO of Marsh Australia and Region Head of Marsh Pacific, to the newly-created role of CEO of Marsh US. In this capacity, Mr Bidmead will guide Marsh’s US retail brokerage operations and report to Joe McSweeny, President of Marsh US/Canada. Mr McSweeny will continue to lead Marsh’s other divisional business segments.

Concurrently, Marsh is realigning its zonal structure in the US to streamline operations – going from four zones to three. The offices of its South Zone will be integrated into its East and Central Zones. Kris Davis, currently Southwest Partnership Leader in the West Zone, will succeed Mr Bidmead as the West Zone Leader; Greg Stanbury will lead the newly expanded Central Zone and Bill Lyon the newly expanded East Zone. Justin Walsleben, currently South Zone Leader, will join the US management team leading an internal initiative to improve operational efficiency and embed best practices.

The appointments and regional changes take effect in the second quarter of this year.

Announcing the changes, Mr McSweeny said: “Over the last few years we have made great strides in solidifying and building our business. Two key components of this process are optimisation and simplification. These changes to our operational structure are designed to strengthen and streamline our company.

“David Bidmead has proven himself as a strong leader and visionary change agent. His record of accomplishment in Australia and the US West Zone makes him the ideal candidate to inspire and guide our US retail brokerage operations through its next phase of growth.”