Gordon Thiessen, former Governor of the Bank of Canada, is joining Manulife Financial Corp’s board of directors on February 1.

Thiessen joins Manulife’s Board following a career with the Bank of Canada that began in 1963 and culminated in a seven-year term as its Governor.

A native of Saskatchewan, Thiessen holds a PhD in Economics from the London School of Economics. He is a recipient of the Swedish Order of the Polar Star, and has been awarded honourary Doctorates from the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Ottawa.

“We are very pleased to welcome Gordon to our Board,” said Manulife chairman, Arthur Sawchuk. “Gordon is a well-respected figure in the financial services industry. He has excellent leadership and strategic skills, and brings a wealth of relevant experience to Manulife. We will greatly benefit from his experience and expertise.”

Thiessen also serves as a director of IPSCO Inc., the Institute for Research on Public Policy and the University of Saskatchewan, and is Campaign chair for the Neuromuscular Research Partnership.