Manulife Asset Management Names Greg Thompson to Consultant Relations Team

TORONTO, Sept. 10, 2012 /CNW/ - Greg Thompson has been named Managing Director, Consultant Relations, at Manulife Asset Management, said Brian Torrisi, Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Consultant Relations.

Based in the Montreal office, Mr. Thompson will be a dedicated resource for investment consultants throughout Canada. He will report to Mr. Torrisi.

"Greg brings a background in investment consulting as well as direct experience in a consulting relations role. Given the importance our firm places on investment consultants and the institutional success we have achieved globally, it was important to continue to expand our consultant relations team and add another experienced professional," said Mr. Torrisi. "We are pleased to welcome Greg to Manulife Asset Management."

Mr. Thompson joins Manulife Asset Management from Pyramis Global Advisors, where he was most recently a Director, Consultant Relations, and worked on developing relationships with Canadian investment consultants and analysts. Prior to that, he spent eight years with Mercer Investment Consulting, where he provided investment consulting services to pension funds and conducted research and analysis on investment management organizations.

Mr. Thompson, who is bilingual in English and French, graduated from Concordia University in Montreal with a BA in Economics.

About Manulife Asset Management
Manulife Asset Management is the global asset management arm of Manulife Financial. Manulife Asset Management provides comprehensive asset management solutions for institutional investors and investment funds in key markets around the world. Manulife Asset Management also provides investment management services to affiliates' retail clients through product offerings of Manulife and John Hancock. This investment expertise extends across a broad range of asset classes including equity, fixed income and alternative investments such as real estate, timber, farmland, as well as asset allocation strategies.

Manulife Asset Management has offices with full investment capabilities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. In addition, it has a joint venture asset management business in China, Manulife TEDA. It also has operations in Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Uruguay. John Hancock Asset Management, Hancock Natural Resource Group and Declaration Management and Research are units of Manulife Asset Management.

Manulife Asset Management was named Best Asian Bond House by Asia Asset Management in 2011. As at June 30, 2012, assets under management were US$218 billion. Additional information about Manulife Asset Management can be found at ManulifeAM.com.

About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. In 2012, we celebrate 125 years of providing clients strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. We also provide asset management services to institutional customers. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$514 billion (US$504 billion) as at June 30, 2012. The Company operates as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

SOURCE: Manulife Asset Management

Beth McGoldrick, [phone], [email protected]

http://www.manulife.com