William M Mercer has expanded into Austria by acquiring Constantia Neuberger Bednar & Partner (CNB), a Vienna-based consulting firm.

This is Mercer's first move into Austria, although the firm has worked with CNB for several years. Kurt Bednar, CNB's founding partner, will stay on as Mercer's head of Austria. The firm said that its new office, which is 12-strong, will work closely with Mercer consultants in Germany, and will work to expand its product range in Austria.