KKR appoints former Manulife CEO Roy Gori as senior advisor

Global private equity firm KKR said Wednesday that it has appointed Roy Gori, former chairman and CEO of Manulife, as a senior advisor.

In the role, Gori will advise KKR on strategic opportunities in insurance, asset management, banking, distribution and related financial services, with a particular focus on Asia Pacific and other international markets. He will work closely with the company’s senior leadership and investment teams to provide strategic insight into market structure, regulations, distribution models, partnerships and global expansion opportunities.

“KKR has built a world-class global asset management platform, and the firm’s growing international presence demonstrates the scale of opportunity ahead. I look forward to working with KKR’s leadership and investment teams to help identify and develop opportunities in global financial services, including insurance, asset management, banking and distribution,” said Gori.

“Roy is one of the most respected leaders in financial services, with decades of experience building and growing businesses in Asia Pacific and internationally,” said KKR co-chairmen Joe Bae and Scott Nuttall.

Decades of leadership experience

Gori brings more than three decades of leadership experience in insurance, asset management and retail financial services in Asia Pacific and North America. He started his career at Citibank in 1989 and joined Manulife. There he served as president and chief executive officer (CEO) from 2017 until his retirement in 2025.

During his tenure, Gori led the insurer and asset manager through a strategic transformation focused on digital innovation, customer experience and disciplined growth. He also managed operations in 12 markets and accelerated the company’s expansion in Asia.

His experience in insurance, asset management and distribution, particularly in Asia Pacific, will strengthen KKR’s global financial services platform as it pursues new partnerships and growth opportunities, said Billy Butcher and Manu Sareen, co-chairmen of Global Atlantic, KKR’s insurance business.