MUMBAI—Brunswick has hired former Pearson India president Khozem Merchant to lead its long-awaited entry into India.

Merchant's arrival as a partner will take Brunswick's tally of global offices to 23 in 14 countries, once the Mumbai operation is up and running in the first quarter of next year. 

In Asia, Brunswick also has offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Singapore, led by managing partner Tim Payne.

Prior to becoming Pearson India president in 2008, Merchant spent 19 years as a Financial Times journalist, including 12 years in London and six as the paper’s Mumbai correspondent. After moving into a management role, he has led the rollout of Pearson’s education services strategy across India.

"The move into India comes at a time when many of Brunswick’s clients are looking for seniorlevel
advice around critical business issues in India – and is a natural next step for the group in
light of its expanding base of Indian clients that it is advising around the world," reads a Brunswick statement on the hire.