Bill Peressini, president at Hancock Natural Resource Group, was named the firm's CEO, effective Jan. 1.
Mr. Peressini will replace Dan Christensen, who is retiring at the end of the year. Mr. Peressini will retain the president title.
Upon retiring, Mr. Christensen will retain his role as chairman of Hancock's subsidiaries and will become chairman of Hancock's board of directors, replacing Warren A. Thomson, who is stepping down as chairman. Mr. Thomson, chief investment officer of parent company Manulife Financial, will remain a board member, said a Hancock news release.
Mr. Peressini will also join Hancock's board of directors.
Mr. Peressini joined the firm as chief financial officer in 2011 and was appointed president in February, replacing Mr. Christensen in that role.
Mr. Peressini's CFO responsibilities will be assumed by Wilfred Steiner, managing director Australasia at Hancock Natural Resource Group Australia and director of international finance, effective Oct. 1. Mr. Steiner will retain his current international finance responsibilities in addition to his new CFO responsibilities. Bill McCallum, general manager, Hancock Forest Management (New Zealand) Limited, will take over as managing director Australasia, said a Manulife spokeswoman.
As of June 30, Hancock Natural Resource Group had $14 billion in global assets under management.