Manulife Investment Management Announces Liam Spillane as Head of Emerging Markets Fixed Income

Rhea-AI Summary

Manulife Investment Management (MFC) appointed Liam Spillane as Head of Emerging Markets Fixed Income and Senior Portfolio Manager, Emerging Markets Debt effective January 26, 2026. Based in London, he oversees the global Emerging Markets Fixed Income organisation and leads growth and investment performance across the firm's strategies.

Mr. Spillane brings over 30 years of industry experience, including more than 12 years at Aviva Investors where he last served as Head of Emerging Markets Debt.

Positive

• Experienced hire with over 30 years industry experience
• Joined Manulife IM on January 26, 2026
• 12+ years prior leadership at Aviva Investors in emerging markets debt
• Global remit overseeing portfolio managers and analysts

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Industry experience: over 30 years Tenure at Aviva Investors: over 12 years Start date: January 26, 2026

3 metrics

Industry experience over 30 years Liam Spillane’s total industry experience

Tenure at Aviva Investors over 12 years Time spent at Aviva Investors before joining Manulife IM

Start date January 26, 2026 Date Liam Spillane joined Manulife Investment Management

Market Reality Check

Price: $35.40 Vol: Volume 1,838,452 vs 20-da...

low vol

$35.40 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,838,452 vs 20-day average 3,239,762, indicating relatively muted trading interest. low

Technical Price 35.40 is trading above 200-day MA at 33.13, reflecting a generally upward longer-term trend.

Peers on Argus

MFC is down 1.09% while peers show mixed moves: MET -0.65%, AFL -0.11%, PRU +0.3...

MFC is down 1.09% while peers show mixed moves: MET -0.65%, AFL -0.11%, PRU +0.35%, UNM +0.89%, GL +0.31%, suggesting a more stock-specific reaction to this leadership news.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 19 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 19	Buyback authorization	Positive	+1.4%	TSX-approved NCIB to repurchase up to 42 million common shares.
Feb 11	Regulatory filing	Neutral	-5.5%	Filing of 2025 audited annual financial statements and related MD&A.
Feb 11	Preferred dividends	Positive	-5.5%	Declaration of quarterly dividends across multiple preferred share series.
Feb 11	Dividend increase	Positive	-5.5%	Announced 10.2% increase to quarterly common dividend to $0.485 per share.
Feb 11	Earnings results	Positive	-5.5%	Reported record 2025 core earnings and detailed capital return actions.

Pattern Detected

Recent fundamentally positive announcements (earnings, dividend increase, buyback) often saw negative next-day moves, indicating a pattern of selling into good news.

Recent Company History

Over recent months, Manulife reported record 2025 core earnings, raised its common dividend by 10.2%, and executed/announced sizeable share repurchase programs, including an NCIB for up to 42 million shares. Despite these shareholder-friendly steps, several events around February 11, 2026 triggered share price declines of about -5.49%. The latest NCIB approval on February 19, 2026 coincided with a positive +1.41% move, contrasting with prior selloffs on otherwise constructive news items.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights a senior leadership change in Manulife’s emerging markets fixed income ...

Analysis

This announcement highlights a senior leadership change in Manulife’s emerging markets fixed income franchise, bringing over 30 years of experience to a growth area for the firm. In the past six months, the company emphasized capital returns, including a new NCIB for up to 42 million shares and a 10.2% dividend increase. Investors may monitor how this appointment supports emerging markets debt performance alongside ongoing buybacks and dividend policy.

Key Terms

emerging markets fixed income, emerging markets debt

2 terms

emerging markets fixed income financial

"appointment of Liam Spillane as Head of Emerging Markets Fixed Income"

Bonds and other debt issued by governments and companies in developing countries, often paid in local or major foreign currencies. Investors buy these securities for higher income potential than developed-market debt, but they also face greater risks—such as political change, currency swings and thinner markets—so they serve as a higher-yield, higher-volatility part of a diversified portfolio, like lending to borrowers in growing but less predictable neighborhoods.

emerging markets debt financial

"Senior Portfolio Manager, Emerging Markets Debt."

Bonds and other loans issued by governments or companies in developing economies, where investors lend money in exchange for regular interest payments and return of principal. It matters because these securities often pay higher yields than developed-market debt, offering potential for bigger returns but also greater risks—like political instability, currency swings, or higher chance of default—so they can boost income and diversification but increase portfolio volatility.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

LONDON, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife Investment Management ("Manulife IM") has announced the appointment of Liam Spillane as Head of Emerging Markets Fixed Income and Senior Portfolio Manager, Emerging Markets Debt.

Based in London, Mr. Spillane joined the firm on January 26, 2026, and oversees its Emerging Markets Fixed Income organisation, managing a global team of portfolio managers and analysts. He holds responsibility for the growth of the firm's Emerging Markets Debt business and pursuit of strong investment performance across our range of strategies.

"I'm delighted to welcome Liam to the team. His depth and breadth of industry experience will be invaluable as he assumes the leadership role of our Emerging Markets Fixed Income business," said Colin Purdie, Global Chief Investment Officer, Public Markets, Manulife Investment Management. "Driving the growth of our Emerging Markets Debt business is one of the key priorities for our Public Markets group and so we're excited to have him on board for this next chapter."

Mr. Spillane brings over 30 years of industry experience to this role. He joins Manulife IM from Aviva Investors, where he spent over 12 years – most recently as Head of Emerging Markets Debt where he held ultimate responsibility for the commercial growth of the emerging market debt business that managed assets across hard and local currency sovereign and corporate asset classes. Prior to that role, he was a Senior Portfolio Manager on the firm's emerging market debt strategies.  

"I'm excited to have joined the team at this important juncture for emerging markets," said Liam Spillane, Head of Emerging Markets Fixed Income, Manulife Investment Management. "Emerging markets have significantly evolved over the past decade, with many emerging markets economies having demonstrated resilience throughout recent dynamic global conditions. Our global team is very well positioned for such a broad asset class, and I look forward to working closely with that global expertise to expand our capabilities and drive consistent long-term results for clients."

About Manulife Wealth & Asset Management

As part of Manulife Financial Corporation, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management's mission is to make decisions easier and lives better by helping people invest confidently to pursue a more secure financial future. Our strength comes from the diversity of our global asset management expertise and distribution capabilities. Our global investment teams span equities, fixed income, alternative credit, private markets, and multi-asset solutions. We provide investment, financial advice, and retirement plan services to millions of individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the heart of our approach are three cultural pillars: Partner for Progress, Trust through Transparency, and Intellectual Curiosity. These values shape how we build longterm relationships, develop differentiated investment strategies, and empower advisors and clients to seek meaningful financial outcomes. Whether through cutting-edge technology, AI innovation, personalized advice, or sustainable stewardship, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management is a trusted partner helping clients navigate complexity and invest with confidence. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit www.manulifeim.com/en.

Media contact  

Janita Hung
janita_hung@manulife.com

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SOURCE Manulife Investment Management

FAQ

Who is Liam Spillane and what role did he accept at Manulife Investment Management (MFC)?

Liam Spillane was named Head of Emerging Markets Fixed Income and Senior Portfolio Manager, Emerging Markets Debt. According to Manulife Investment Management, he joined on January 26, 2026 to lead the global emerging markets fixed income organisation and teams.

When did Liam Spillane start at Manulife IM and where is he based (MFC)?

Mr. Spillane started at Manulife Investment Management on January 26, 2026 and is based in London. According to Manulife Investment Management, he will oversee global portfolio managers and analysts for emerging markets fixed income.

What prior experience does Liam Spillane bring to Manulife IM's emerging markets team (MFC)?

He brings over 30 years of industry experience, including more than 12 years at Aviva Investors. According to Manulife Investment Management, he previously led Aviva's emerging markets debt commercial growth and portfolio management.

What responsibilities will Liam Spillane hold as Head of Emerging Markets Fixed Income at MFC?

He will oversee the firm's Emerging Markets Fixed Income organisation and manage a global team of portfolio managers and analysts. According to Manulife Investment Management, he is responsible for growing the Emerging Markets Debt business and investment performance.

How did Manulife IM describe the strategic importance of the hire of Liam Spillane (MFC)?

Manulife IM framed the appointment as key to driving growth in Emerging Markets Debt. According to Manulife Investment Management, expanding the business is a priority for its Public Markets group and this hire supports that goal.

Will Liam Spillane's appointment change Manulife IM's investment focus in emerging markets (MFC)?

The appointment signals an emphasis on strengthening emerging markets capabilities and growth. According to Manulife Investment Management, Mr. Spillane will work with the global team to expand capabilities and pursue consistent long-term results for clients.