#Canada #Toronto #Leadership #Manulife #Sarah Chapman

Manulife Announces New Leadership Appointment

In a significant move aimed at strengthening its marketing and customer engagement strategies, Manulife has named Sarah Chapman as its Global Chief Marketing & Customer Experience Officer. Effective from January 1, 2027, Chapman will report directly to Phil Witherington, the company's President and CEO, and will be joining the esteemed Executive Leadership Team.

About Sarah Chapman

Chapman has been a key player at Manulife for some time, currently serving as the Chief Marketing Officer for Manulife Canada, where she has been instrumental in leading the company’s digital initiatives, customer-centric strategies, and sustainable practices. Prior to this, she held the position of Chief Marketing Officer for Manulife Wealth and Asset Management, showcasing her extensive experience and ability to navigate complex marketing landscapes. With a strong background spanning marketing strategy, brand management, digital transformation, analytics, and customer experience, her multifaceted expertise positions her well to take on this new role.

Phil Witherington shares his confidence in Chapman's appointment, stating, "Sarah is a proven global leader with deep knowledge of our business, customers, and enterprise strategy. Her strategic perspective, creativity, and strong record of leading transformation will help us deepen our focus on customers and solidify our position in the market."

Transition and Future Goals

Chapman’s transition comes at a crucial time for Manulife as the company seeks to enhance its brand recognition and customer experience on a global scale. With her leadership, Manulife aims to build upon existing momentum and ambitions to establish itself as the top choice among financial service providers. Chapman expressed her enthusiasm for her new role, saying, "I am honored to take on this role and excited to help make lives better for over 37 million customers around the world. I look forward to building on our strong foundation and delivering meaningful experiences for our clients."

This transition is designed to ensure a smooth leadership change as Chapman takes over from Karen Leggett, who will be retiring at the end of the year. The planned handover reflects Manulife's commitment to thoughtful succession planning, ensuring that the new leadership aligns with the organization's long-term objectives.

About Manulife

Founded in 1887, Manulife is a leading international financial services group headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The company operates under the Manulife brand across Canada, Asia, and Europe, while using the John Hancock name in the United States. With a focus on helping individuals, institutions, and retirement members make informed decisions, Manulife has cultivated a robust global presence.

As of the end of 2025, Manulife employed over 39,000 staff members and more than 109,000 agents, serving a customer base exceeding 36 million across the globe. Their stock trades on multiple exchanges including Toronto, New York, and Hong Kong, showcasing the company's financial robustness and widespread reach.

For media inquiries, interested parties are encouraged to contact Brittany Straughn, Global Chief Communications Officer of Manulife, via [email protected] or at 978-621-9116.

Chapman's appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Manulife as the company strives to innovate and lead in customer service and marketing excellence.