Manulife Asia announces key leadership appointments

HONG KONG – Manulife Asia has unveiled significant changes to its senior leadership team, aiming to bolster its presence across the region’s diverse markets.

Dr Kah Siang Khoo, currently CEO of Manulife Singapore, is set to take the helm as CEO of Emerging Markets, steering the company’s operations across Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and the Philippines.

Dr Khoo has been a driving force behind sustainable growth since joining Manulife in 2018. He played a pivotal role in cementing Manulife’s presence in Singapore, most notably through a high-profile bancassurance partnership with DBS. Under his leadership, the company has undergone a digital renaissance, streamlining operations and enhancing customer experience.

A former president of the Life Insurance Association of Singapore, Dr Khoo will continue leading Manulife Singapore during the transition period before passing the baton to Benoit Meslet.

Executive appointments across Asia

Meslet, currently CEO of Manulife Japan, will step into the role of CEO of Manulife Singapore, effective 1 June 2025, pending regulatory approval.

Meslet has presided over four consecutive years of core earnings growth since 2020 and has doubled new business value since 2022. His tenure at Manulife Japan has been marked by a swift and decisive digital transformation, resulting in record-high customer satisfaction and top-quartile employee engagement.

With over two decades of leadership experience in Asia’s life insurance sector, Meslet is well-equipped to build on Manulife Singapore’s momentum and chart the next phase of its growth.

Meanwhile, Ryan Charland, the current CEO of Manulife Indonesia, will take the reins as CEO of Manulife Japan, effective 1 May 2025. To ensure a seamless transition, he will join Meslet in Japan in April.

Since assuming leadership at Manulife Indonesia in 2019, Charland has expanded market share and strengthened customer loyalty, as reflected in a leading Net Promoter Score. He was also the architect behind the launch of Indonesia’s new Syariah company, tapping into the country’s vast and underserved Muslim market.

With a wealth of expertise spanning product development, distribution, operations, finance, and risk management, Charland is well-placed to steer Manulife Japan’s continued expansion.

Taking the helm at Manulife Indonesia is Lauren Sulistiawati, who has been appointed CEO effective 24 February 2025, pending regulatory approval. She will work closely with Charland during the transition and will report to Dr Khoo in his new role as CEO of Emerging Markets.

Sulistiawati joins Manulife from Commonwealth Bank, where she successfully navigated the bank’s transition to OCBC while maintaining strong customer engagement. With a distinguished career spanning Indonesian and multinational banks, she brings deep expertise in transformation, Syariah business growth, and regional insurance partnerships with FWD and AIA.

In parallel, Adrienne O’Neill has been named CFO for Manulife Asia, reporting to Colin Simpson, Global Chief Financial Officer, and Phil Witherington.

A Manulife veteran with over 17 years at the company, O’Neill has held a series of key finance roles, including Global Controller and Group Chief Accounting Officer. Between 2018 and 2021, she served as Global Head of Investor Relations, sharpening Manulife’s financial narrative on the global stage.

As these leadership changes take shape, Michael Thomssen, CFO for Asia, and Sachin Shah, Head of Emerging Markets, will be departing Manulife.

Continuing Manulife Asia’s strategic vision

Manulife Asia said the recent leadership appointments reflect its commitment to leveraging internal talent and fostering growth across its diverse markets.

The company aims to strengthen its market position and better serve its customers across Asia by appointing seasoned leaders with extensive experience within the organisation.

“These changes showcase the depth and strength of our leadership across Asia and position us to continue delivering high-quality sustainable growth and be the number one choice for customers,” said Witherington, president and CEO of Manulife Asia.

“We are well on track to achieve our goal of contributing half of Manulife’s core earnings by 2027, and these leaders have consistently executed our strategy. Their leadership in these new roles will help define the next chapter for Manulife Asia.”

These appointments are subject to regulatory approvals where applicable.

Manulife appoints Pragashini Fox as chief people officer

In December last year, Manulife also announced the appointment of Pragashini Fox as its new chief people officer, effective 1 June this year.

Fox will take over from Pam Kimmet, the current CHRO, who is set to retire by the end of May.

To ensure a smooth transition, Fox joined Manulife on 13 January, during which she began engaging with the global team to enhance the organisation’s culture and talent development strategies.

Fox brings a wealth of experience from her six-year tenure at Thomson Reuters, where she held dual roles as Head of Talent and Diversity, and Head of HR for Product, Operations, and Technology.

Prior to this, she dedicated 18 years to the Royal Bank of Canada, undertaking leadership positions in executive compensation, talent management, and leadership development.

Her roles included Head of HR for Technology and various HR responsibilities supporting operations, capital markets, insurance, and group functions.

“Pragashini’s experience, global orientation, digital expertise, strong business acumen, and appreciation for the work we do make her an ideal successor for Pam. She has a passion for helping global teams embrace a growth-mindset and foster the tenacity and resilience to reach for new heights,” said Roy Gori, president and CEO of Manulife.