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

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach^[1] - 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."

References

1. ^{^} Media OutReach (www.media-outreach.com)