TORONTO — Hewitt Associates, a global human resources consulting and outsourcing company, is pleased to announce that Jack Chute of John Chute & Associates is combining his benefits consulting business with Hewitt's.

Mr. Chute established John Chute & Associates, a human resources consulting firm, in 1982. While its clients are from both the private and public sector, the firm has particular expertise in the health care field, both in the hospital industry as well as with nursing homes and long-term care facilities. In his new role at Hewitt Associates, Mr. Chute will manage the company's Health Care Industry team, part of Hewitt's Health Management consulting practice. 

Joining Hewitt at the same time will be Ms. Fiona Francis who has been a senior benefit consultant and vice president with John Chute & Associates for 14 years. Ms. Francis provides benefit consulting services to the health care sector as well as to some of the firm's other private sector clients. Prior to joining Mr. Chute and his firm, she also had extensive experience as a senior group insurance underwriter and client services manager with a large Canadian insurance company.

"Over the last few years, we have seen increasing demand for benefit consulting and other services from health care providers," said Tim Clarke, leader of Hewitt's Health Management practice. "We're delighted to have Jack and Fiona join us so that we can better meet the needs of our clients in this field. Their combined years of consulting expertise, added to our own experience, breadth of HR solutions, and extensive data, make Hewitt the 'go-to' firm for HR and benefits consulting for hospitals and others in the health care industry." 

Clients of John Chute & Associates will also benefit from the move to Hewitt. "Hewitt Associates has a great reputation in the marketplace," said Jack Chute. "Hewitt's global strength and extensive HR consulting and outsourcing expertise will enhance the scope of services our clients have been receiving from the Chute team in the past."

The appointments of Mr. Chute and Ms. Francis are effective immediately, enabling them to bring Hewitt's expanded range of services to the health care industry.

About Hewitt Associates 
Hewitt Associates (NYSE: HEW) provides leading organizations around the world with expert human resources consulting and outsourcing solutions to help them anticipate and solve their most complex benefits, talent, and related financial challenges. Hewitt consults with companies to design and implement a wide range of human resources, retirement, investment management, health management, compensation, and talent management strategies. As a leading outsourcing provider, Hewitt administers health care, retirement, payroll, and other HR programs to millions of employees, their families, and retirees. With a history of exceptional client service since 1940, Hewitt has offices in 33 countries, including Canadian offices in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Regina, and employs approximately 23,000 associates who are helping make the world a better place to work. For more information, please visitwww.hewitt.com/canada.