Manulife Investment Management has announced a series of investment team updates across its global emerging markets equity organisation in Asia.

Effective 28 July 2026, Faye Gao, has joined as portfolio manager, Greater China equities, based in Hong Kong, and Ashley Chung has joined as portfolio manager, Asia equities, based in Singapore.

In these roles, Gao will contribute to the management of the firm’s Hong Kong and Greater China equity portfolios, and Chung will contribute to the management of the firm’s Asia and Greater China equity portfolios. Chung will also have a new role as the firm’s Asia technology specialist, unifying technology coverage and supporting idea generation and stock selection decisions across the region.

Gao has more than 16 years of investment industry experience across both retail and institutional mandates. Before joining Manulife Investment Management, she spent over five years at Lombard Odier Investment Management in Hong Kong. Previously, she held senior investment analyst and research roles at Harvest Global Investors and AB Bernstein Research where her focus was in financial and real estate sectors. Gao started her career at Oliver Wyman in the financials group and has extensive on-the-ground experience in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.

Chung has two decades of investment industry experience, including portfolio management for both institutional and retail clients. She also joins from Lombard Odier Investment Management, where she spent over five years. Prior to that, she had been based in Hong Kong and spent three years at Schroder Investment Management as an equity research analyst covering Greater China technology hardware and Taiwan non-tech sectors.

Previously, Chung spent time at Harvest Global Investments as vice president, investment analyst, where she was the sole regional tech analyst for Asia ex-Japan mandates, covering semiconductors, hardware, and Vietnam. Earlier in her career, she held research roles at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Daiwa Capital Markets, and CLSA Asia Pacific Markets.

Meanwhile, Kai Kong Chay, senior portfolio manager, Greater China equities, has expressed his plan to retire on 30 November 2026. Separately, Wenlin Li, senior portfolio manager, Greater China equities who has been with the firm since 2011, will be assuming some of Chay’s responsibilities.  

In addition, Elle Jamil has joined as head of Philippines equities, effective 20 July 2026, based in Manila, where he will oversee and be responsible for research, portfolio management, and execution of the firm’s Philippines equity strategies.

Jamil has over a decade of investment experience across public equities, spanning equity research and portfolio management. Prior to joining Manulife Investment Management, he spent over six years at ATR Asset Management, and earlier in his career he was an equity research analyst at First Metro Investment Corporation and began his career as an analyst at Towers Watson.

Charlie Dutton, head of emerging markets equities, Manulife Investment Management, commented: “These appointments reflect the strength we continue to build across our global equity platform—autonomous, accountable investment teams that are deeply research-driven, and connected through a collaborative culture and shared global resources.”

June Chua, head of Asian equities, Manulife Investment Management, added: “The additions of Faye, Ashley, and Elle further strengthen our platform—enhancing Greater China and Pan-Asia portfolio management capabilities and strengthening our technology coverage—while supporting continuity for our clients.”

As of 31 March 2026, Manulife Investment Management’s Asia platform included more than 90 investment professionals across the 10 markets in which the wealth and asset manager operates.