Manulife strengthens presence in Kowloon East with Grade A office building renamed ‘Manulife Place’

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 8 December 2021 – Manulife Hong Kong today announced the official
renaming of International Trade Tower (ITT) in Kowloon East to ‘Manulife Place’,
effective December 8. As the anchor tenant occupying four floors, Manulife has
moved part of its agency force to the newly renovated 145,000 square-foot
office space. The new office marks another strategic investment Manulife has
made in Hong Kong as the company targets long-term, annual double-digit growth in
its agency headcount to accelerate its business performance.

Manulife Place (formerly known as International
Trade Tower) will be home to up to 3,400 Manulife agents.

“We are excited to broaden our footprint into another
Grade-A building, now called Manulife Place. This move is a significant
milestone for Manulife in Hong Kong, demonstrating our continued commitment to investing
in this important market and meeting the needs of Mainland Chinese Visitors as the
borders gradually reopen,” said Damien Green, Chief Executive Officer of
Manulife Hong Kong and Macau. “Our pre-eminent insurance agency force with over
11,000 advisors in Hong Kong has been the key contributor to the growth of our
business. By equipping them with best-in-class facilities, they can further provide
enhanced services as the company continues to expand and change the market
order.”

Manulife Place is the company’s fourth office in
Kowloon East, underpinning its ambitious long-term growth strategy in the city
and the Greater Bay Area region. The newly refurbished four floors will
initially be occupied by 2,400 agents, and can house up to 3,400 agents when
used in full capacity. The open office space is designed to foster greater
collaboration, promote learning, and nurture inclusion among agency teams. It
includes digitally-enabled meeting and training rooms to allow for increased flexibility
and productivity, spacious common areas to encourage communication and
creativity, and a comfortable and expansive front of office to welcome and
serve customers visiting their agents in Manulife Place.

The lease agreement signed in April this year is
Hong Kong’s largest Grade A office leasing deal since July 2019 and the largest
in Kowloon East since April 2018 in terms of net floor area[1].

“We are proud to have a strong and outperforming agency
force that serves as the backbone to the success of our Hong Kong business,”
said Mr. Green. “As a leading insurance player in health and retirement, Manulife
will remain committed in our investment towards products, distribution capabilities, customer
experience as well as community support so
that people can live every day better.”