Based in Hong Kong, Warnes took charge of the role today and will be responsible for meeting the increasing demand for asset allocation solutions outside of North America.
Previously, Warnes worked for JP Morgan Asset Management in Asia and London, developing and managing global equity and global multi-asset investment portfolios. Prior to that, he was at Invesco Asset Management and Sun Alliance Investment Management.
Warnes will also be on the company’s global asset allocation committee and involved with the global portfolio solutions group team, which includes more than 20 asset allocation professionals and has more than US$119bn (£71.1bn) in assets under management.
Michael Dommermuth, president, international asset management, Manulife Asset Management, said: “With bank deposits providing negative real returns across most of the region, many individual investors see the potential for mixed-asset investment solutions to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns, helping to build retirement savings or providing a recurring income stream to supplement other sources of household income during retirement.”
On the institutional side, Manulife anticipates considerable demand from institutions looking for tailored asset allocation solutions to support long-term liabilities, he added.
Manulife established its portfolio solutions group in Asia two years ago and now has over US$5.9bn worth of assets in asset allocation products across retail, sovereign funds and pension funds.
The asset manager has launched various retail mixed-asset investment products in markets such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and Macau under pension schemes and on mutual fund and insurance-linked platforms.
In January, Manulife unveiled a pension fund scheme, targeting the Macau customers.
Funds under management by Manulife and its subsidiaries were approximately US$597bn as of 30 June.
