Mercer's specialist infrastructure investment team and alternative asset advisory capabilities have been further strengthened with the recent appointment of Farhad Billimoria as Infrastructure Leader for Mercer's Investments business in the Pacific market.

Farhad will lead Mercer's infrastructure research coverage in the Pacific and be jointly responsible with Sydney-based senior consultant Mark Murray for building on the strong success of Mercer's Global Infrastructure Team in the Pacific, as well as supporting the team globally.

Mercer's Investments Business Leader for the Pacific, Simon Eagleton, said:

"The appointment of Farhad marks another important milestone in the development of our alternative assets advisory capability, which is an important growth segment for us."

"Mercer has achieved a number of significant wins advising on infrastructure investments over the past two years, including engagements for some of the largest pension and institutional investors in Australia, Asia and North America.

"Our work has spanned manager selection and due diligence, strategic portfolio construction work, secondary investing, and co-investment and due diligence advice.  Farhad will bring valuable experience and insights to our team to continue such work.

"Farhad's knowledge and global experience in the management of multi-billion dollar infrastructure portfolios will be a strong addition to Mercer's capabilities."

Most recently, Billimoria held a position as portfolio manager at California Public Employees' Retirement System's (CalPERS), Infrastructure & Forestland team, where he was jointly responsible for the build-out and management of CalPER's multi-billion dollar infrastructure and timberland portfolio.

Farhad was also previously part of AMP Capital's Infrastructure & Private Debt team in New York, as well as a senior member of Australian boutique Access Capital Advisers' infrastructure and private equity investment team in Australia and North America.

Billimoria joined Mercer as a Principal and is based in the Melbourne office.