Manulife Financial Corporation has confirmed that all 13 director nominees were elected to its board at the company's annual meeting of shareholders held on May 14, 2026.
Each nominee received strong majority support, with "for" votes ranging from 95.37% to 99.82%. The result leaves Manulife's board composition unchanged as the group continues to execute its strategy with a focus on Asia and global wealth and asset management.
The slate of 13 director nominees received the following levels of support from Manulife shareholders: Nicole S. Arnaboldi was elected with 923,106,544 votes for, representing 99.19% support, and 7,569,575 votes withheld, or 0.81%. Guy L.T. Bainbridge received 908,415,354 votes for (97.61%) and 22,260,765 votes withheld (2.39%). Nancy J. Carroll secured 920,908,127 votes for (98.95%), with 9,767,992 votes withheld (1.05%). Julie E. Dickson received 927,556,188 votes for, equating to 99.66%, and 3,119,931 votes withheld (0.34%). J. Michael Durland obtained 920,976,611 votes for (98.96%) and 9,699,508 votes withheld (1.04%). Donald P. Kanak was backed by 928,659,130 votes for (99.78%), with 2,016,989 votes withheld (0.22%).
Donald R. Lindsay received 887,578,840 votes for, corresponding to 95.37%, and 43,097,279 votes withheld (4.63%). Anna Manning secured 928,957,110 votes for (99.82%), with 1,719,009 votes withheld (0.18%). John S. Montalbano received 928,892,606 votes for (99.81%) and 1,783,513 votes withheld (0.19%). May Tan was elected with 918,057,264 votes for, or 98.64%, and 12,618,855 votes withheld (1.36%). Leagh E. Turner obtained 928,667,625 votes for (99.78%), with 2,008,494 votes withheld (0.22%). Philip J. Witherington received 928,909,491 votes for (99.81%) and 1,766,628 votes withheld (0.19%). Finally, John W. P‑K. Wong secured 920,724,122 votes for, representing 98.93% support, and 9,951,997 votes withheld (1.07%).
Manulife said final voting results for all matters considered at the meeting will be posted on its annual meeting website.
For insurance market participants, the vote indicates broad shareholder support for Manulife's existing governance and stategic direction at a time when the group is emphasizing growth in Asia and its global wealth and asset management businesses, alongside a more capital-light product mix.
Manulife has outlined medium-term financial targets that include higher core return on equity, increased remittances from operating units, and a larger contribution from Asia to overall earnings. The re‑election of the full slate, including chair Don Lindsay and president and CEO Phil Witherington, suggests investors are comfortable with the current board’s oversight of those priorities.
The company has reported record or near‑record core earnings and new business in recent years, supported by its Asian protection and health franchises and by asset management flows, while also returning capital through dividends and buybacks. Against that backdrop, continuity at board level points to a focus on execution rather than a shift in strategy.
For life and health insurers and intermediaries that work with Manulife, the outcome implies no immediate change in risk appetite or strategic positioning. The group is expected to continue concentrating on growth in priority segments, active management of US legacy and lower‑return blocks, and maintaining a robust capital position under evolving regulatory and market conditions.
