Richard DeWolfe, Chair of the Board of Directors of Manulife Financial Corporation and The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company, has announced the appointment of John M. Cassaday as Vice Chair. This appointment became effective Dec. 7, 2017.

DeWolfe will retire from the Board in May 2018. Cassaday, as Vice Chair, will work with DeWolfe in managing the transition of the affairs of the Board until the annual meeting on May 3, 2018. Following this, Cassaday will take over as Chair of the Board, says the company.

Leadership strength

"I could not be more pleased that John will be the next Chair of the Board," DeWolfe said. "John was selected following a comprehensive and diligent process in which all of Manulife's directors took part, and we are privileged that someone with his vast experience, leadership strength and track record of important Board contributions will take on this critical role."

Cassaday, who joined the Board in 1993, was previously President and Chief Executive Officer of Corus Entertainment Inc. Prior to Corus, he was Executive Vice President of Shaw Communications, President and Chief Executive Officer of CTV Television Network and President of Campbell Soup Company in Canada and the United Kingdom.