JLT Group has appointed Duncan Howorth as the new CEO of JLT Asia, based in Hong Kong. He replaces Warren Merritt, who has left to “pursue other opportunities”.

Mr Howorth will remain as international chairman of employee benefits and continue to sit on the group executive committee. His responsibilities in Asia will cover risk and insurance, plus employee benefits.

Executive Chairman Anthony Langridge will take over from Mr Merritt until Mr Howorth takes up the role on January 1.

Mark Wood will replace Mr Howorth as CEO of JLT Benefit Solutions, subject to regulatory approval. He has been non-executive chairman there for the past two years and will sit on JLT’s group executive committee.

Group CEO Dominic Burke says the appointments “reflect our focus on two of our core strategic objectives – growing in specialist areas and building JLT’s international reach and relevance”.