Mercer M&A Ready™ workshops address the human capital challenges in M&A transactions

Business Wire, March 22, 2007

Sessions are scheduled throughout the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific

NEW YORK -- Human resource and other professionals with companies considering or undergoing an M&A transaction can learn about the "people" issues vital to the success of a deal at Mercer Human Resource Consulting's M&A Ready workshops to be held in 15 cities around the world in 2007.

Mercer's M&A Ready workshops are interactive sessions to help with the planning and execution of the due diligence, integration planning and implementation processes of a transaction. They are designed to prepare HR and other professionals for the challenges of an M&A deal by identifying how HR policies, a strategic focus on human capital and proven processes drive successful transactions.

"Conducting the due diligence, getting the deal done and effectively integrating the parties often ends up costing more money, taking more time and placing tremendous demands on business functions than it should," said Len Gray, Americas leader for Mercer's global M&A consulting business. "There are critical steps that can be taken to prepare for a transaction, including understanding the HR policies, programs and practices that affect success, and mitigating the risks inherent in any deal."

In addition to an in-depth education about preparing for these transactions, Mercer M&A Ready workshops provide a forum for exchanging first-hand experiences. These sessions are facilitated by leading experts in Mercer's global M&A consulting business.

Mercer M&A Ready workshops are held in cities around the world, including San Francisco, New York, Montreal, London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Zurich, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

In the Americas, workshops will be held:

* May 9-10, San Francisco, CA

* May 23-24, New York, NY

* May 30-31, Mexico City

* June 6-7, Chicago, IL

* June 19-20, Montreal, Canada

Complete information, including a list of upcoming Mercer M&A Ready workshops and online registration, is available at www.mercerhr.com/maready. Contact Melinda Seli at 212 345 7011 or email Melinda.A.Seli@mercer.com. Customized workshops, conducted in the area's local language, are available.

Mercer's M&A consulting business, which is comprised of more than 200 members globally (including M&A private equity experts), includes more than 500 deals in more than 30 countries over the past 2 years. Mercer's M&A expertise spans all types of business transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, initial public offerings, spin-offs and divestitures, start-ups and business transformations.

Mercer Human Resource Consulting is a global leader for HR and related financial advice and services, with more than 15,000 employees serving clients from more than 180 cities and 42 countries and territories worldwide. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., which lists its stock (ticker symbol: MMC) on the New York, Chicago and London stock exchanges. For more information, visit mercerHR.com.