Chris Lay appointed president and CEO of Marsh Canada

Chris Lay has been appointed president and CEO of insurance broker and risk advisor Marsh Canada, the company announced on Tuesday.

Marsh, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC), said in a press release that Lay (pictured below right) will report to Robert Bentley, president of Marsh US and Canada.

Lay succeeds Alan Garner, who takes on the role of chairman of Marsh Canada, effective July 1, 2016. Garner will also report to Bentley.

Lay will be based in Marsh Canada’s Toronto office, and assumes full responsibility for the company’s operations, Marsh Canada said in a press release. In this role, Lay he focus on “driving client value by delivering Marsh’s world-class risk advisory and strategic services to the firm’s growing client base in Canada.”

Chris Lay, president and CEO of Marsh Canada

Lay brings over 30 years of leadership experience to the role, most recently as president of Marsh’s Global Captives business. He has held several senior roles at the firm, including as head of Global Sales, CEO of Marsh’s UK and Europe, Middle East and Africa Corporate business and deputy CEO of its UK Retail business.

As chairman, Garner (pictured below left) will focus on deepening Marsh’s engagement with clients, prospects and insurers in Canada, the statement said. He will also serve as MMC country corporate officer for Canada, with responsibility for coordinating strategic initiatives across all of MMC’s operating companies, including Guy Carpenter, Mercer and Oliver Wyman.

Alan Garner, chairman of Marsh Canada

“Chris’ experience across a wide range of risk and insurance businesses makes him an outstanding choice to lead our Canadian operations,” Bentley said in the release. “Chris will continue to strengthen our relationships with our clients as their trusted risk advisor.”

Lay added that “our reputation in Canada has been forged by a sustained commitment to excellence from our colleagues there and the continuity and experience of our leadership team. I look forward to working with them to deliver the innovation and superior value that our clients have come to expect.”