#Hong Kong #Manulife #June Chua #Yuting Shao

Manulife Investment Management Expands Asian Equity Commitment

In a significant move reflecting its long-term strategy for growth in Asia, Manulife Investment Management has announced the appointment of June Chua as the Head of Asian Equities, effective August 4, 2025. This leadership change is part of the company's broader goal to deepen its equity investment capabilities in the Asian marketplace, which is increasingly acknowledged for its crucial role in global financial strategies.

June Chua will operate from Hong Kong, where she will lead one of the region's largest equity teams comprised of over 90 investment professionals working across ten distinct markets. Her responsibilities will include overseeing the execution of the investment process across Asia, with particular focus on countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam. June is also set to take charge of Asian Equity Research, coordinating resources and research coverage throughout the region. She will report to Charlie Dutton, the Head of Emerging Market Equities.

This announcement reinforces Manulife Investment Management's commitment to strengthening its foothold in Asia, a region where it has maintained operations for more than a century. As of the end of March 2025, the firm manages assets amounting to over $241 billion in its Asian equity strategies. By leveraging local insights and pairing them with its global investment expertise, the company aims to achieve unique investment outcomes and maintain a competitive advantage over other international asset managers.

Charlie Dutton expressed high regard for Chua's extensive experience in the field, stating, "June brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in managing Asia ex-Japan and Asia Frontier equities. Her leadership will be vital in enhancing research collaboration and ensuring disciplined execution across our regional platform."

With more than 25 years of investment experience, June has demonstrated her expertise in managing equities in Asia, particularly those markets outside Japan. Before joining Manulife Investment Management, she served as Senior Vice President and Head of Asia and Emerging Markets Equities at Lombard Odier, where she directed the firm's regional equity strategies. June has also held significant roles like the Executive Director and Head of Asian Equities at Harvest Global Investments, managing portfolios focused on Asian equities and overseeing a team of equity analysts.

June Chua stated, "I am honored to join Manulife Investment Management and lead our Asian Equities team at a time when the region continues to play an increasingly important role in global portfolios. My focus will be on enhancing research collaboration and executing disciplined strategies that yield insightful investment opportunities for our clients."

In conjunction with this leadership announcement, Manulife Investment Management revealed that Yuting Shao has been appointed as the Senior Global Macro Strategist within its Multi-Asset Solutions team. Positioned in Hong Kong, Yuting will develop macroeconomic strategies that will guide the investment teams in navigating the complexities of evolving economic conditions and market risks while also communicating these strategies to clients and media.

Yuting Shao comes with a wealth of experience, totaling over eight years, particularly focusing on macro strategies related to China and Emerging Markets Asia during her previous role as Vice President at State Street Global Markets. She has also worked with notable organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the Institute of International Finance.

Yuting expressed her excitement about joining the Multi-Asset Solutions team, stating, "In today’s complex macroeconomic climate, providing clear and actionable insights is essential. I am looking forward to collaborating with our investment teams and clients to navigate the challenges and opportunities of global markets."

Nathan Thooft, Chief Investment Officer of Multi-Asset Solutions and Global Equities, welcomed Yuting to the team, noting that her deep understanding of macroeconomic factors and specific insights into China and Emerging Markets Asia would considerably enhance the investment team's capabilities.

Both appointments are indicative of Manulife Investment Management’s ongoing strategy to harness local market expertise while integrating it with global investment insights — a diverse approach aimed at delivering robust investment solutions and long-term value for its clients.

For more information on Manulife Investment Management and its range of services, one can visit their official website at manulifeim.com. As a major player in the investment management industry, Manulife helps millions of individuals and institutions manage their assets effectively, emphasizing the importance of solid financial stewardship.