Bonnie Johnson
May 15, 2025
Media ArticleManulife Investment Management (Manulife IM) announces the appointment of Brent McGowan as its new Global Head and Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of Agriculture. In this role, Brent will lead the company’s agriculture business with a focus on expanding growth and improving performance.
Brent brings 30 years of experience in the food and agricultural sector. Before this appointment, he served as Chief Operating Officer at Novus Ag. He previously held the role of Global Head of Agricultural Operations at Manulife IM, managing health, safety, environmental, and risk goals while balancing client needs and profitability.
Anne Valentine Andrews, Global Head of Private Markets at Manulife IM, expressed confidence in Brent’s return. She said, “Brent’s background in agricultural operations and leadership will cultivate new opportunities for investors and help to drive transformational change to enhance our portfolio.”
During his earlier tenure at Manulife IM, Brent played a key role in strategic leadership, fostering strong relationships and leading efforts to transform the agriculture business. To ensure a smooth leadership transition, Oliver Williams, the former Global Head of Agriculture Investments, moves into a strategic advisor role. He will collaborate closely with Brent on investment strategy and execution.
Mr. Williams commented, “Brent’s extensive experience, coupled with knowledge of Manulife IM and our clients gained while here, are invaluable to this role. His insights are instrumental in navigating the complexities of the agricultural industry.”
Manulife IM manages a US$4.2 billion agriculture business, offering sustainable investment solutions across multiple commodities and regions including Australia, Canada, Chile, and the United States. The firm also has diversified private markets platforms including infrastructure, real estate, private equity, and timberland.
Brent shared his enthusiasm, stating, “It’s a privilege to lead this team and I am invigorated by the depth of talent and expertise here. I admire the business’s commitment to responsibly steward farmland and produce sustainable food and fiber to deliver performance to clients.”
This leadership change signals Manulife IM’s ongoing dedication to sustainable agriculture investment and long-term growth.
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