Manulife Asia has announced several changes to its senior leadership team, impacting its operations in emerging markets, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, and finance.
Benoit Meslet, currently CEO of Japan, will become CEO of Singapore on 1 June 2025, pending regulatory approval.
Meslet has led Japan’s business to four years of core earnings growth and doubled new business value since 2022.
He will succeed Dr. Kah Siang Khoo, who will become CEO of Emerging Markets, overseeing Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and the Philippines.
Dr. Khoo has driven sustainable growth in Singapore since 2018, achieving double-digit compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in annual premium equivalent (APE), new business value (NBV), and core earnings.
He will remain in his current role until June 1st to ensure a smooth transition.
Ryan Charland, CEO of Indonesia, will transition to CEO of Japan, effective 1 May 2025.
He will join the Japan team in April to prepare for the transition.
Charland has led Manulife Indonesia to increased market share and a leading Net Promoter Score.
He also recently launched Indonesia’s new Syariah company.
Lauren Sulistiawati will become CEO of Indonesia on February 24, 2025, pending regulatory approval.
She joins from Commonwealth Bank, where she played a key role in the transition of operations to OCBC while maintaining positive customer experiences.
She has held leadership roles focused on transformation and Syariah business growth and has experience with regional insurance partnerships. She will work with Charland on the transition.
Adrienne O’Neill, Global Controller and Group Chief Accounting Officer, will become Asia Chief Financial Officer, reporting to Colin Simpson, Global Chief Financial Officer, and Phil Witherington.
She has been with Manulife for over 17 years and also served as Global Head of Investor Relations from 2018 to 2021.
Michael Thomssen, Chief Financial Officer, Asia, and Sachin Shah, Head of Emerging Markets, will be leaving Manulife.
These changes are effective prior to Phil Witherington assuming the role of President and CEO of Manulife on 9 May 2025.
Members of the Manulife Asia senior leadership team will report to Witherington.
Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik
