David Merrill Appointed Chief Executive Officer of Sphere Investigations

By: Sphere Investigations, LLC via Business Wire

July 17, 2025 at 08:44 AM EDT

Sphere Investigations, LLC (“Sphere”), a premier investigative services provider to the insurance and legal industries, proudly announces the appointment of David Merrill as Chief Executive Officer.

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David Merrill appointed Chief Executive Officer of Sphere Investigations.

Merrill brings more than 30 years of leadership in investigative services, insurance cost-containment, and insurtech. His track record includes founding and scaling organizations such as ICS Merrill (which became CoventBridge), and Gain Life, where he served successively as CEO and Vice Chairman. Most recently, he held an executive role as CEO of Gain Life, where he guided the firm through phases of accelerated growth. Merrill’s proven leadership is driven by a passion for clients and market understanding.

Earlier in his career, Merrill gained industry notoriety by founding ICS Merrill, which he merged with GlobalOptions to become CoventBridge, a full-service investigative services firm with over 1,100 employees and affiliates worldwide. Merrill ran CoventBridge as CEO from 2016 to 2021, where he shepherded the firm to become the largest global provider of investigations services to both government and private sector insurance clients. Merrill oversaw global surveillance, special investigations, compliance, and fraud mitigation through 2021, thereafter serving as Vice Chairman.

At Sphere, Merrill will lead the firm’s operations, growth, and integration of acquisitions. “I’m honored to join Sphere Investigations at this pivotal stage,” said Merrill. “Sphere’s mission—to deliver premium investigative services by leveraging broad geographic coverage, full suite of quality reporting, and specialized talent—is exactly the vision I believe in. I look forward to building a scaled platform that empowers clients and stakeholders alike.”

“David brings the rare combination of operational expertise, customer-centric mindset, and industry experience,” said Mark Danzi, Chairman of Sphere Investigations and Managing Director of Mangrove Equity Partners. “He’s the ideal leader to elevate our platform and drive our growth.”

About Sphere Investigations

Sphere Investigations is a fraud and corporate investigations platform, established concurrently with acquisitions of Fraud Sniffr, Inc. (“Fraud Sniffr”) and Phenix Investigations, Inc. (“Phenix”). Sphere was formed and funded by Mangrove Equity Partners and Sunlake Capital Partners.

About Fraud Sniffr

Founded in 2013, Fraud Sniffr leverages data from sources such as social media, physical surveillance, and medical canvassing to facilitate fraud investigations. Customers value Fraud Sniffr’s detailed and accurate reports, highly responsive customer service, and quick turnaround times on report delivery. Fraud Sniffr serves major insurance companies, third party administrators, and law firms as clients.

About Phenix Investigations

With over 30 years of experience, Phenix provides comprehensive investigative services including asset search, surveillance, and customized complex case assignments. Phenix has performed thousands of engagements for major law firms, multinational corporations and various public figures, often delivering decisive results in connection with complex, high-value investigative matters.

Sphere is actively seeking investment opportunities in complementary businesses, including, surveillance, investigations, accident reconstruction and other forensic services. Please contact Brett Morris or Andrew Galante (both at contact@sunlakecapital.com) for acquisition opportunities.