Insurance and risk management firm Lockton is to enter the UK employee benefits market.

It aims to build a full-service capability by 1 January 2013.

The employee benefits unit will be led by Mike Tyler, who will join from the UK division of global benefits firm Buck Consulting, where he was managing director.

Julian James, chief executive at Lockton, said: “Lockton has established benefits businesses in the United States, Latin America and Asia,†so entry into the UK market is a strategic and logical progression.

Tyler added: “I am excited by this opportunity to help Lockton build an employee benefits business.

“The resources at Lockton’s disposal in the UK and internationally will help us to deliver a differentiated service proposition of the highest quality, based entirely around employer needs.”

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