Manulife Asia president and CEO to succeed Roy Gori as CEO
Manulife Financial Corporation’s Board of Directors has announced that Roy Gori, president and chief executive officer, will retire on May 8, 2025, and that Phil Witherington, currently president and CEO of Manulife Asia, will succeed him.
Following his retirement, Gori will continue to serve as an advisor to the company until August 31, 2025, to ensure a smooth leadership transition. Witherington will also join the Board of Directors upon assuming the role.
Witherington, a member of the Executive Leadership Team since 2017, was previously the chief financial officer for five years and is currently president and CEO of Manulife Asia.
With over 25 years of global experience in insurance and financial services, he has held senior roles at HSBC and AIA and spent a decade with KPMG in London and Hong Kong earlier in his career.
Witherington stated, “It is an honour to be provided with the opportunity to lead the next chapter for Manulife.” He acknowledged the company's history and global presence, describing it as an organization with a significant footprint and capabilities.
Witherington also noted the experience of working alongside Gori and the Executive Leadership Team in recent years.
He expressed a commitment to maintaining the company's progress and focusing on sustainable growth that benefits its customers, employees, investors, and the communities it serves globally.
Don Lindsay, chair of the Board, confirmed the Board’s unanimous support for Witherington’s appointment.
Lindsay said, “As both our chief financial officer and now as CEO of the Asia Segment, he has consistently demonstrated the ability to navigate complexity, deliver on commitments and drive change and highly engaged teams through his authentic leadership.”
Lindsay shared thoughts on Gori’s leadership, stating, “[Gori] is an inspiring, values-driven leader who has transformed the company and delivered outstanding results over his tenure as our president and CEO.”
Lindsay acknowledged Gori’s focus on execution and his role in building a strong team and culture, noting that these contributions have positioned the company for continued growth. On behalf of the Board, Lindsay expressed gratitude for Gori’s energy and commitment to the organization.
Gori expressed pride in the company’s achievements.
“It has been my honour to serve as Manulife's president and CEO, and I'm extremely proud of our team's many accomplishments. We've delivered superior operating results, de-risked our business, and become a digital customer leader in our industry,” said Gori.
“These results have enabled us to deliver market-leading total shareholder return and wouldn't have been possible without the incredible dedication and engagement of our outstanding global team.”
Discussing the transition, Gori said, “We're now well-positioned to raise the bar on our aspirations for Manulife's next chapter. And I'm thrilled that [Witherington] will lead that next phase in the company's growth given his deep understanding of our global business and principled leadership.”
Witherington will continue in his current role while working with Gori on transition planning and is expected to name his successor in the coming months.
