Marsh, the world's leading insurance broker and risk adviser, announced today the appointments of three industry veterans to its new Global Rail practice, including Jim Beardsley as Global Leader.

Also joining the Global Rail practice are Jim Wolfarth as Senior Vice President, Casualty, and John Raymond as Senior Vice President, Property.

A recognized rail industry leader, Mr. Beardsley brings nearly 30 years of insurance brokerage experience to Marsh, including more than 15 years in the rail industry. He joins from Aon, where he led its rail practice. Prior to Aon, Mr. Beardsley also held senior positions at Willis and Alexander & Alexander. He will be based in Marsh's Baltimore office and will report to Joe McSweeny, President, U.S. & Canada Division, Marsh. Messrs. Wolfarth and Raymond will be based in Marsh's Baltimore and Philadelphia offices, respectively, and will report to Mr. Beardsley.

"Jim Beardsley's rail expertise is second-to-none in the insurance brokerage world," said Mr. McSweeny. "The experience and knowledge of our new rail industry team will make them invaluable resources for Marsh's clients. We're delighted to welcome Jim Beardsley, Jim Wolfarth, and John Raymond to Marsh as we expand our rail practice to have broader reach across the entire Marsh organization and build the industry’s best global team."

Mr. Wolfarth joins Marsh's Global Rail practice from Aon, where he was a client executive and senior casualty broker, working with some of the largest freight and passenger railroads in the US and Canada. He brings more than 25 years of insurance brokerage experience to Marsh, including 15 years in the rail industry. He began his career at Willis, working as an account manager and casualty broker.

Mr. Raymond brings 22 years of insurance brokerage experience to Marsh, including 10 years in rail. He joins from Willis Risk Solutions, where he was a senior vice president specializing in property. He rejoined Willis in 2007, after beginning his career there in 1988 as a property broker. He also spent a decade at Aon as a senior property broker in its national rail practice.

"The rail industry must meet the challenges of today's uncertain economic and regulatory climate with superior risk management, through both short-term solutions and long-term strategic planning," said Mr. Beardsley. "Jim, John and I are excited about the opportunities for Marsh as we seek to commit our experience, expertise, and relationships to serving as advocates for our clients and the global rail industry as a whole."