Global private equity firm KKR has appointed Roy Gori, the former president and chief executive of Manulife, as a senior advisor, according to a press release statement issued today. In this role, Gori will advise KKR on strategic opportunities across global financial services and insurance, with a particular focus on Asia Pacific and international markets. His advisory role will cover insurance, wealth management, banking, distribution, and related financial services platforms. He will work closely with the firm's senior leadership team and investment professionals, providing insight on market structure, regulatory environments, distribution models, partnerships, and international opportunities across global financial services. Joe Bae and Scott Nuttall, Co-Chief Executive Officers of KKR, welcomed Gori's appointment, stating that he is one of the most respected leaders in financial services, with decades of experience building and growing businesses across Asia Pacific and internationally. As per the latest reports, Gori expressed excitement about joining KKR at a time of tremendous opportunity, stating he looks forward to working with the leadership and investment teams to help identify and advance opportunities across global financial services, including insurance, wealth management, banking, and distribution.
Gori brings more than three decades of leadership experience across insurance, wealth management and retail financial services in Asia Pacific, North America, and globally. He began his career at Citibank in 1989, eventually leading the firm's Asia Pacific retail business, including its insurance and wealth management operations. Prior to becoming CEO of Manulife, Gori served as president and CEO of Manulife Asia, overseeing operations across 12 markets and accelerating the company's expansion throughout the region. During his tenure as Manulife's CEO from 2017 until his retirement in 2025, he led one of the world's leading insurance and asset management firms, driving a strategic transformation centered on digital innovation, customer focus, and disciplined growth. Before joining Manulife, Gori spent nearly two decades at Citibank, where he rose to lead its Asia Pacific retail banking business, including insurance and wealth management operations. A native Australian, Gori has worked and lived in Sydney, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Toronto throughout his career.
According to the press release, Gori stated that KKR has built a world-class global asset management platform, and the firm's growing international presence speaks to the scale of the opportunity ahead. Billy Butcher and Manu Sareen, Co-Chief Executive Officers of Global Atlantic, KKR's insurance business, noted that Gori's experience across insurance, wealth management and distribution, particularly in Asia Pacific, will strengthen KKR's global financial services platform as it pursues new partnerships and growth opportunities. Gori expressed excitement about joining KKR at a time of tremendous opportunity, stating he looks forward to working with the leadership and investment teams to help identify and advance opportunities across global financial services, including insurance, wealth management, banking, and distribution. As per the latest reports, his deep expertise in insurance, wealth management, and distribution—combined with his extensive experience across Asia Pacific and globally—will provide valuable strategic perspective as KKR continues to expand its global financial services platform and pursue new partnership and growth opportunities.
