Hong Kong – Manulife has announced the appointment of Hongjuan Liu as chief AI & data officer for Hong Kong and Macau, as part of efforts to strengthen its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and support the development of Hong Kong as an AI Centre of Excellence.
The move follows the re-domiciliation of Manulife (International) Limited and forms part of the company’s broader strategy to position itself as an AI-powered organisation. The expansion also includes the relocation of Mark Czajkowski, chief AI officer for Asia, from Singapore to Hong Kong, reinforcing the company’s focus on building AI leadership across the region.
According to Manulife, the appointments aim to enhance AI adoption, strengthen data-driven decision-making, and support Hong Kong’s role as both an international financial centre and a hub for AI development.
Patrick Graham, CEO of Manulife Hong Kong and Macau, said: “Our commitment to continuing to be an AI leader is bolstered by the Hong Kong SAR Government’s latest policy initiatives in the 2026–27 Budget to advance AI applications across sectors, as well as efforts made by the Insurance Authority (“IA”) to foster a vibrant AI ecosystem through robust regulation, the AI Cohort Programme and other future AI initiatives.”
Clement Cheung, CEO of the Insurance Authority, added: “The decision made by Manulife to deploy key AI personnel in Hong Kong forms part of a global strategy that leverages our vibrant market dynamics, versatile professional talents and unmatched cross-boundary connectivity to deliver better customer experiences, stronger staff support and higher operational efficiency.”
He added, “This also injects impetus into the re-domiciliation exercise by bringing tangible benefits to the community. We are pleased to know that the company will strive to nurture local capabilities, develop impactful use cases and uplift AI literacy, while the IA will partner with the industry to pursue economic diversification through innovation and technology as a new source of growth.”
Liu joins Manulife with more than 20 years of experience in AI, data strategy, analytics, and digital transformation across multiple industries and markets. In his new role, he will lead the company’s cross-functional AI and data team in Hong Kong and Macau, overseeing advanced analytics, AI deployment initiatives, and data platform strategies, alongside governance and operational priorities.
He most recently served as vice president, Data at McDonald’s China. Liu will report directly to Graham, with a functional reporting line to Czajkowski, who will continue to oversee the company’s AI strategy across Asia.
Czajkowski brings more than two decades of experience spanning marketing, analytics, and AI strategy, and has previously served as chief analytics officer for Asia and chief marketing officer for Singapore.
Graham added: “Hongjuan brings exceptional AI and data expertise to our organization, and his leadership will be key to continuing to advance our AI strategy and delivering greater value for our customers and distribution partners. Mark’s posting to Hong Kong further underscores our resolve to scale AI innovation and propels our ambition to establish the city as a regional hub. Together, these strategic moves and investments position us strongly for the next phase of growth and reflect our unwavering confidence in Hong Kong as an international financial centre.”
