Manulife Asset Management appoints Neil Summers as Head of EMEA Client Service and Sales Support

Summers to take on development of the client service team for the firm's expanded European business

LONDON, Sept. 29, 2016 /CNW/ -- Manulife Asset Management, the investment management arm of Manulife (TSX, NYSE: MFC) has appointed Neil Summers as Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Client Service and Sales Support. He joined on 19th September 2016. 

This is a new role for Manulife Asset Management, created as part of the firm's expansion in the EMEA region. Mr. Summers will lead the initiative to build a team to service and support institutional and wholesale clients across the EMEA region.

Based in London and reporting to Lauren Fleming, Head of Global Distribution Services, Mr. Summers will play a key role in shaping and delivering the firm's approach to client service.

Claude Chene, Global Head of Distribution, Manulife Asset Management, said:

"This is an important hire, enabling us to work in close partnership with institutions and wholesale investors, as we continue to provide them with investment capabilities that help address complex issues in uncertain markets. Neil brings a deep knowledge of the investment management business and significant client service experience in the EMEA region."

Mr. Summers joined from Aberdeen Asset Management, where he spent twelve years, most recently as Head of Client Service – EMEA.  He has 20 years of asset management experience and has also worked at Deutsche Asset Management.

About Manulife Asset Management

Manulife Asset Management is the global asset management arm of Manulife, providing comprehensive asset management solutions for investors. This investment expertise extends across a broad range of public and private asset classes, as well as asset allocation solutions. As at June 30, 2016, assets under management for Manulife Asset Management were approximately US$334 billion (€303 billion, £252 billion).

Manulife Asset Management's public markets units have investment expertise across a broad range of asset classes including public equity and fixed income, and asset allocation strategies. Offices with full investment capabilities are located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. In addition, Manulife Asset Management has a joint venture asset management business in China, Manulife TEDA. The public markets units of Manulife Asset Management also provide investment management services to affiliates' retail clients through product offerings of Manulife and John Hancock. John Hancock Asset Management and Declaration Management and Research are units of Manulife Asset Management.

Additional information about Manulife Asset Management may be found at ManulifeAM.com.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services group providing forward-thinking solutions to help people with their big financial decisions. We operate as John Hancock in the United States, and Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions. At the end of 2015, we had approximately 34,000 employees, 63,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving 20 million customers. At the end of June 2016, we had $934 billion (US$718 billion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made more than $25.4 billion in benefits, interest and other payments to our customers. Our principal operations are in Asia, Canada and the United States where we have served customers for more than 100 years. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong. Follow Manulife on Twitter @ManulifeNews or visit www.manulife.com or www.johnhancock.com.

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SOURCE Manulife Asset Management

Media contacts: Gug Kyriacou, [phone], [phone], [email protected], Cat Ommanney, [phone], [phone], [email protected]; In North America: Brian Carmichael, [phone], [email protected], http://www.manulife.com