Manulife Philippines has appointed insurance industry veteran Amy Gochuico as its new president and chief executive officer, marking a leadership milestone for the nearly 120-year-old company as it seeks to capture more opportunities in the country’s growing insurance market.
Gochuico, who officially assumed the position on November 3, becomes the first woman to lead Manulife’s Philippine operations. Her appointment comes as insurers compete to expand their distribution networks, strengthen banking partnerships, and reach more Filipinos seeking financial protection and long-term security.
The leadership change takes place against a backdrop of sustained growth in the domestic insurance industry. According to the Insurance Commission, life insurers collected P403.21 billion in premiums in 2025, up 14.54 percent from P352.02 billion the previous year.
Insurance penetration also improved from 1.67 percent in 2024 to 1.78 percent in 2025, reflecting growing demand for insurance products while highlighting the substantial room for further market expansion.
For Manulife, the challenge is translating these opportunities into sustainable business growth by improving access to insurance, strengthening customer relationships, and expanding its distribution capabilities.
Gochuico brings 30 years of insurance and executive leadership experience across Asian markets, particularly in bancassurance, a business model that allows insurers to distribute their products through banking institutions.
Before assuming her new role, she headed Manulife China Bank Life Assurance Corporation, where she oversaw initiatives to strengthen distribution, develop leadership capabilities, and expand the company’s business through its banking partnership.
Among the significant developments during her leadership was the renewal of Manulife’s bancassurance agreement with China Bank for another 15 years, securing a long-term distribution relationship in an increasingly competitive market.
The agreement underscores the importance of banking partnerships to insurance companies seeking broader customer reach without relying exclusively on traditional agency networks.
Prior to leading Manulife China Bank Life, Gochuico served as chief bancassurance officer of Manulife Indonesia, where she managed the company’s bancassurance business and supported its partnerships with Bank Danamon and DBS Indonesia.
She joined Manulife in 2021 after holding senior leadership positions in multinational insurance companies across Asia.
Steve Finch, president and chief executive of Manulife Asia, said Gochuico’s regional experience and expertise in distribution would be critical to the company’s next stage of expansion.
“Amy is an accomplished insurance leader with a proven ability to grow businesses, strengthen strategic partnerships, and develop high-performing teams,” Finch said.
He expressed confidence that her leadership would help accelerate growth and strengthen Manulife’s position in the Philippine market.
Gochuico, meanwhile, identified disciplined execution, organizational efficiency, and stronger collaboration as priorities as the insurer approaches its 120th year of operations in the country.
“Our focus is on bringing greater clarity, executing with discipline, moving faster, and working together to create meaningful outcomes for our customers,” she pointed out.
Beyond expanding its business, Manulife is positioning its products and services around long-term financial security, health, and longevity as the financial needs of Filipino households evolve.
The company’s growth strategy will depend in part on its ability to deepen existing partnerships, improve distribution efficiency, and convert increasing awareness of insurance into wider customer adoption.
With Gochuico at the helm, Manulife enters its next chapter with an experienced bancassurance executive tasked with strengthening its market presence while sustaining growth in a Philippine insurance industry that continues to offer considerable expansion potential.