Manulife Financial has named Geoff Crickmay as president and CEO for Manulife Japan, effective July 1. Crickmay has been deputy president and executive vice president sales and marketing for the group’s Japanese subsidiary since the beginning of this year. Previously, he held a number of senior positions with Manulife in Canada.

The current president and CEO of Manulife Japan, Trevor Matthews, is leaving the group to take a senior position with Standard Life in Edinburgh, Scotland.

“We are very pleased with the recent progress of our Japanese business,” said Dominic D’Alessandro, president and CEO of Manulife Financial, in a news release. “Our main sales force is continuing to grow strongly and our new strategic alliance with the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi is producing good sales. We are well placed for further profitable growth in the world’s second largest economy. I am confident that Geoff Crickmay will continue the good work of his predecessors.”

“I am very excited about this new leadership position,” said Crickmay. “We are looking forward to continuing to draw on our worldwide expertise to help grow our business in Japan.”