Sun Life has appointed Georgina Farrell (pictured) as chief human resources officer (CHRO) for Asia, effective May 1, 2025.
Farrell will oversee the company’s regional human resources strategy, focusing on talent development, organisational growth, and employee engagement to align with Sun Life’s expansion plans in Asia.
Farrell previously served as chief people officer for RSA’s UK, Ireland, and Europe operations, where she played a role in developing integrated human resources strategies to support business objectives.
She brings more than 20 years of experience in human resources leadership across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
She holds a bachelor of arts in economics and politics from University College Dublin and a bachelor of science in human resource management from Dublin Institute of Technology.
Manjit Singh, president of Sun Life Asia, said Farrell’s appointment comes as the company continues to expand in the region.
“As we grow and transform our Asia business, attracting and developing top talent and maintaining our strong culture is a key priority,” he said.
He highlighted Farrell’s leadership experience and her background in designing and implementing people strategies.
“Georgina is an outstanding HR leader with extensive experience designing and executing people strategies to deliver transformation and growth objectives internationally. I am confident she will be a significant contribution to the Sun Life Asia business,” Singh said.
“Returning to the region presents an incredible opportunity to engage with talented employees and build people strategies that foster innovation and support Sun Life’s ambition to help more people in Asia achieve financial security and live healthier lives,” Farrell said.
She will be based at Sun Life’s regional headquarters in Hong Kong and will report to Helena Pagano, executive vice president and chief people and culture officer at Sun Life, as well as Singh. Farrell will also serve as a member of the Asia executive team and HR executive team.
Sun Life bolstered its human resources leadership team amid broader workforce trends, with a recent Aon study indicating that 60% of employees globally are considering leaving their current roles within the next year.
The findings, part of Aon’s 2025 Human Capital Employee Sentiment Study, highlighted shifting workforce priorities, including increased emphasis on well-being and work-life balance.
The research, which surveyed more than 9,000 employees across 23 countries, showed that workplace flexibility remains a key factor for employees. Job-sharing arrangements, technology-free hours, and other benefits that support work-life balance ranked high on employees’ priority lists.
For younger workers, particularly those in Generation Z, work-life balance ranked as the second most important benefit, following medical benefits. It was prioritised over paid time off, career development, and retirement savings.
Beyond compensation and benefits, employees also expressed a preference for workplaces that align with their personal values. Many respondents said they consider an organisation’s culture and reputation when evaluating potential employers.
