MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) has named Executive Vice President James Reid as head of its Global Employee Benefits (GEB) business. Reid is responsible for accelerating GEB’s growth by partnering with MetLife’s regional offices and expanding relationships with top financial institutions and global employee benefit brokers and consultants. Reid will also lead select critical growth initiatives for the company.

Reid joined MetLife in 2012 and has over 25 years of experience in health and employee benefits, and P&L ownership. To date he has held several leadership roles within MetLife’s U.S. Group Benefits organization, most recently spearheading Regional and Small Business Solutions. Under Reid’s leadership, the U.S. team has begun reimagining how MetLife could best work with small businesses and is partnering with IBM to create a first of its kind quote-to-claim platform. Prior to MetLife, he spent more than 20 years at Aetna, with leadership roles in its healthcare and voluntary business groups.

“James brings tremendous industry knowledge, innovative thinking, and a focus on plan execution to GEB,” said Michel Khalaf, President, U.S. Business and EMEA. “With both healthcare and employee benefits experience, he is well positioned to lead this charge.”

“The power of employee benefits to bring peace of mind and, in many cases, a lifeline to employees all over the world cannot be underestimated,” said Reid on his appointment. “A connected network such as MetLife GEB has the expertise to provide the best solutions for global clients as it applies a dual macro and micro lens to solving challenges. I am proud to have the opportunity to work with this team.”

By leveraging its expatriate benefits business, MetLife Worldwide Benefits, and its joint venture company, MAXIS GBN, MetLife GEB provides group life and health, pensions, and credit solutions globally.