KKR has hired Roy Gori, former president and chief executive of insurer and financial services firm Manulife, as a senior advisor to the firm.

He is set to advise KKR on strategic opportunities across insurance, wealth management, and banking, with a focus on Asia Pacific.

KKR offers retirement, life and reinsurance products through its subsidiary Global Atlantic Financial Group.

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In this new role, Gori will work closely with KKR’s senior leadership team and investment professionals, providing strategic insight on market structure, regulatory environments, distribution models, partnerships, and international opportunities across global financial services.

“Roy is one of the most respected leaders in financial services, with decades of experience building and growing businesses across Asia Pacific and internationally,” said Joe Bae and Scott Nuttall, co-chief executive officers of KKR. “We look forward to working with him as we continue to expand our global platform.”

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Gori led Manulife from 2017 until his retirement in 2025, and before that was in charge of the firm’s Asian segment, Manulife Asia, where he oversaw operations across 12 markets and accelerated the company’s expansion throughout the region. He began his career at Citibank in 1989, rising to lead the firm’s Asia Pacific retail business, including its insurance and wealth management operations.

“I am excited to join KKR at a time of tremendous opportunity for the firm in Asia Pacific and globally,” Gori said.

A native Australian, he has worked and lived in Sydney, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Toronto.

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