Manulife Announces New Chair of the Board and Committee Chairs

TORONTO, May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife Financial Corporation and The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company announced today the election of Richard B. DeWolfe as Chairman of the Board, effective immediately. Mr. DeWolfe joined Manulife's boards in 2004 and has served as Vice-Chair since December 1, 2012, ensuring a smooth transition with the retiring Chair, Gail Cook-Bennett.

Gail Cook-Bennett has retired from the Board, having reached the Board retirement age.

Mr. DeWolfe thanked the former Chair saying, "Gail has a long history with Manulife and became Chair of the Board at one of the most critical times in the Company's history. Her contributions and leadership are significant; she will be missed."

The Company also announced the new appointments of Sheila Fraser as Chair of the Audit Committee and Robert J. Harding as Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the re-appointments of John R. V. Palmer as Chair of the Risk Committee and John M. Cassaday as Chair of the Management Resources and Compensation Committee.

About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Clients look to Manulife for 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$555 billion (US$547 billion) as at March 31, 2013. 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 Financial Corporation