Financial Services >> CEO Interviews >> April 18, 2005

John Desprez Iii – John Hancock Financial Services Inc (mfc)

JOHN D. DESPREZ III serves as President and Chief Executive Officer, John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., a division of Manulife Financial Corporation. In this capacity, Mr. DesPrez directs the company's wealth management operations in the United States. Additionally, Mr. DesPrez serves on the Manulife Executive and Management Committees. Mr. DesPrez, based in Boston, is responsible for the growth and success of John Hancock wealth management's core businesses: group pensions, mutual funds, fixed and variable annuities and college savings. He also has responsibility for the common investment platform that underlies many of these products. In addition, Mr. DesPrez oversees the various wholesale distribution arms of John Hancock's wealth management businesses. Profile
TWST: Can we start with an overview of your business?

Mr. DesPrez: John Hancock's US wealth management unit demonstrates the

strength of the Manulife and John Hancock merger. Two