Manulife Financial, a Canadian-based financial services group operating in 21 countries and territories worldwide, has appointed Steven Yeo senior vice president and chief legal and compliance officer, Asia. His appointment became effective Oct. 10.  

With over 23 years of legal experience, Yeo joins Manulife Financial from a global financial institution, where he most recently served as managing director of its institutional clients group and Asia regional general counsel, based in Hong Kong and responsible for 18 jurisdictions in Asia. 

In his new role, Yeo will be responsible for setting the strategic direction for legal and compliance services across Asia Division. He is a member of both the Asia Division senior leadership group and the global legal team. Legal heads of 10 territories in Asia have a functional reporting relationship with Yeo.

He reports directly to Robert Cook, senior executive vice president and general manager, Asia. He also has a functional direct reporting line to Jean-Paul Bisnaire, senior executive vice president, business development and general counsel of head office.