Gail Cook-Bennett Board Chair Manulife Financial

Manulife Financial has been recognized as having the Best Overall Corporate Governance in the International category at the annual Corporate Governance Awards held earlier this month in New York.

This is the fifth year that Corporate Secretary, a leading U.S. governance and compliance publication, has celebrated top companies and professionals in the corporate governance, compliance and legal community for demonstrating innovation and best practices in the field of governance. 

Manulife’s leadership in corporate governance, including board structure and renewal, board effectiveness and company transparency and enhanced disclosure were key factors for the panel of expert judges.

“We are deeply honoured by this recognition of our efforts,” said Dr. Gail Cook-Bennett, Manulife Financial’s Board Chair. “The financial crisis profoundly changed the world and collectively we responded to ensure the company’s success in the new environment.”

Over the past few years, Manulife and its Board implemented several significant corporate governance enhancements focusing on the Board’s diversity of skills and expertise, strategy and clear and transparent disclosure.

This latest award builds on the recognition Manulife received in 2012 as a Top 100 Employer in Canada and Top 100 Employer for Young People. Since 2002, Manulife has also received top scores for corporate governance in the Globe and Mail’s Board Games report and has been recognized as a publicly listed corporation with one of the highest scores in the Institute of Corporate Directors’ 2011 and 2012 Scorecard.

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.

An 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$515 billion (US$523 billion) as at September 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.