If anyone was still unclear about the future direction of investment consultant Mercer, this week's announcement that an asset management sales veteran had been drafted will have blown away any lingering doubts.

Mercer has appointed Mark Stanley as head of business development and client service for its UK investment management business. Stanley has a distinguished history of selling funds to investors - most recently he led the sales team at Bedlam Asset Management and has a CV that lists Wellington, Threadneedle and JP Morgan Asset Management.