CEO Insights Magazine

In today’s dynamic business landscape, the role of Chief Product Officer (CPO) is pivotal to a company’s growth, right from driving innovation to optimizing operations, and ensuring the firm’s offerings meet market demands. This critical role involves strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous adaptation to industry trends. Cheryl Law reflects these qualities as the Head of Product at Manulife Investment Management Malaysia. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Science from University Putra Malaysia and as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder, Cheryl's journey from the industrial sector to finance showcases her determination and passion. Her career began in a bank, balancing part-time CFA studies with work, before transitioning into asset management. Cheryl’s role at Manulife Investment Management, a global powerhouse, allows her to leverage international insights while focusing on making a positive societal impact. Grateful for her supportive network and driven by a clear purpose, Cheryl is dedicated to enhancing the investment landscape through innovative solutions and unwavering commitment. Let’s read on.

How would you characterize Manulife Investment Management as an organization, and what is its current standing in the market?

Manulife Investment Management is the global wealth and asset management brand of Manulife Financial Corporation, dedicated to making decisions easier and lives better by empowering investors for a better tomorrow. With over 17 million clients including individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members, Manulife Investment Management leverages its global reach, complementary businesses, and strong backing from its parent company to help investors capitalize on emerging global trends. It provides access to a diverse range of public and private investment solutions, encompassing equities, fixed income, multi-asset, alternative, and sustainability-linked strategies. As a significant growth engine for Manulife Financial Corporation, Manulife Investment Management contributed 20 percent of the firm’s core earnings in 2023 and was ranked 29th among the largest money managers by Pension & Investments based on worldwide assets. With over 120 years of presence in Asia, the company operates in 10 markets with around 200 investment professionals. Notably, Manulife Investment Management is the world’s largest investment manager of natural capital assets, offering significant nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change. Its global expansion includes joint ventures and wholly foreign-owned enterprises in India and China, solidifying its market presence and capabilities.

As the Head of Product, what recent strategic initiatives have you implemented to expand and optimize operations and attract new audiences in the market?

As the Head of Product, my goal for new funds is to create and develop unique, differentiated offerings tailored to the Malaysian market. For existing funds, we leverage Manulife Investment Management’s extensive regional network, collaborating with local offices to offer distinctive and innovative investment solutions that go beyond Malaysia. Additionally, I consistently review our fund platform to develop a strategic roadmap, ensuring each fund is positioned for success and meets its intended objectives. This involves continuously assessing market conditions and investor needs to guarantee that our products remain competitive and marketable. Through these efforts, we aim to expand our operations and engage new audiences effectively, driving growth and enhancing our market presence.

Describe your leadership approach. What principles or methodologies do you adhere to in your role as a leader?

I view leadership as a collaborative relationship with colleagues, emphasizing trust and leading by example. My approach varies with the seniority of team members. For senior colleagues, I adopt a democratic style, valuing their diverse opinions and fostering a collective decision-making process. This ensures a broader range of ideas and allows individuals to take ownership and excel. For junior colleagues, I focus on training and mentoring, assigning tasks and providing necessary guidance, while encouraging them to take responsibility. I maintain an open-door policy, welcoming discussions at any time. I strongly encourage asking questions, believing that understanding the context and learning from real-life examples are essential, as some answers can't be found in textbooks or CHATGPT. This holistic approach aims to cultivate a supportive and innovative work environment.

What significant challenges did you face when initially establishing yourself as a successful leader, and how did you overcome them to become a successful professional?

In a product development and management role, it is essential to collaborate with various stakeholders, including internal teams and external partners such as trustees, solicitors, and regulators. Initially, dealing with individuals who have differing goals and priorities led to disagreements and conflicts. Over time, I learned that such conflicts are normal and the key to success lies in resolving them healthily and gaining stakeholder buy-in. By focusing on effective communication and fostering mutual understanding, I was able to align stakeholders towards a common goal, ensuring productive and collaborative working relationships.

Where do you envision yourself heading in the future?

Even after more than a decade in the product role, I remain engaged and enthusiastic. Every day brings new learning experiences, whether it's acquiring fresh knowledge, navigating diverse interactions, or adapting to change. Working at Manulife Investment Management, a global company, offers an expansive platform for continuous growth. I have the privilege of collaborating with product heads across the region and tapping into the insights of the global product team. This exposure enables me to contribute not only to Malaysia's asset management sector but also to share best practices internationally. Additionally, aligning with Manulife Investment Management 's focus on Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) initiatives, I've joined the ESG Committee in Malaysia to give back to the community. Volunteering as a financial industry mentor for upper primary students allows me to instill practical financial literacy skills, fostering responsible financial behaviors for the future.

Cheryl Law, Head - Product, Manulife Investment Management

Cheryl Law, as the Head of Product at Manulife Investment Management Malaysia, brings over two decades of expertise in the banking and unit trust/asset management sectors, with a specific focus on funds development spanning more than 17 years. In her role, Cheryl oversees the comprehensive development and management of investment funds tailored for Manulife Investment Management Malaysia's retail, institutional, and retirement businesses.