Global broking giant Marsh has announced an international restructuring that will combine its Asia and Pacific operations into one unit. It will see Marsh Australia reporting directly to new regional head David Batchelor in Hong Kong.

David Bidmead, head of the Sydney-based Pacific section (which includes Australia and New Zealand), says combining with the potentially lucrative Asia region makes sense for both business units.

“A natural geographic affinity and synergy exists for creating Asia Pacific,” he said. “Our two regions have already collaborated on applying success stories from the mature Pacific market into Asia.”

The new region will have the best growth potential of Marsh’s regions. The company says it will maintain its Asia Pacific growth strategy, with acquisitions and new business high on the agenda.

Marsh now operates with three regional divisions: Europe (including the Middle East and Africa), Asia Pacific and The Americas.