Key Takeaways
- • Mercer named Garvan McCarthy to the newly created role of global alternatives chief investment officer, where he will lead the firm's global alternatives platform.
- • Andrew McDougall was named U.S. CIO, overseeing Mercer's investment capabilities in the U.S., after serving as global head of multi-asset.
- • Mike Sebastian, formerly head of investment solutions at Syntrinsic, succeeds McDougall as global head of multi-asset and will lead total portfolio construction across public and private asset classes.
- • Kam Chang was named head of the investment partnerships group, which serves clients with large and complex investment mandates; he joined via the 2025 acquisition of SECOR Asset Management.
Summary
Mercer announced on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, a series of senior investment appointments, including two new chief investment officers and two team heads, according to the firm's announcement as reported by Chief Investment Officer. The changes are framed by the firm as a way to accelerate client impact and expand clients' access to private markets solutions.
Garvan McCarthy has been named to the newly created role of global alternatives CIO. Based in Dublin and with Mercer for more than 30 years, he has served as CIO for the Europe, Middle East and Africa and Asia regions since 2022. He will remain in that EMEA and Asia role until a successor is named and will continue as co-CEO of Mercer Alternatives AG.
Andrew McDougall, previously global head of multi-asset, has been appointed U.S. CIO and will lead Mercer's investment capabilities in the United States. He is succeeded in the multi-asset role by Mike Sebastian, formerly head of investment solutions at investment adviser Syntrinsic. Sebastian will lead Mercer's global teams responsible for total portfolio construction across public and private asset classes.
Kam Chang has been named head of Mercer's investment partnerships group, overseeing professionals who work with clients that have large and complex investment mandates. Chang joined Mercer through its acquisition of SECOR Asset Management last year.
Niall O'Sullivan, Mercer's global solutions CIO, said in a statement: "We have a strong team and a deep bench of talent with complementary experience. Together, these leaders will help us continue to drive innovation, scale our differentiated investment solutions, expand our clients' access to private markets solutions and deliver client service excellence."
Garvan McCarthy has been named to the newly created role of global alternatives CIO. Based in Dublin and with Mercer for more than 30 years, he has served as CIO for the Europe, Middle East and Africa and Asia regions since 2022. He will remain in that EMEA and Asia role until a successor is named and will continue as co-CEO of Mercer Alternatives AG.
Andrew McDougall, previously global head of multi-asset, has been appointed U.S. CIO and will lead Mercer's investment capabilities in the United States. He is succeeded in the multi-asset role by Mike Sebastian, formerly head of investment solutions at investment adviser Syntrinsic. Sebastian will lead Mercer's global teams responsible for total portfolio construction across public and private asset classes.
Kam Chang has been named head of Mercer's investment partnerships group, overseeing professionals who work with clients that have large and complex investment mandates. Chang joined Mercer through its acquisition of SECOR Asset Management last year.
Niall O'Sullivan, Mercer's global solutions CIO, said in a statement: "We have a strong team and a deep bench of talent with complementary experience. Together, these leaders will help us continue to drive innovation, scale our differentiated investment solutions, expand our clients' access to private markets solutions and deliver client service excellence."
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