John Spence is the Regional Head, M&A and Strategy, Generali Asia and is responsible for formulating, originating and executing mergers and acquisitions transactions; fostering strategic alliances; crafting digital ecosystems partnerships; curating impactful and executable business strategies and leading regional corporate development initiatives to achieve Generali’s ambitious growth targets in Asia.  

Mr Spence has been based in Hong Kong since 2000, and prior to joining Generali, provided independent strategic advisory services for Asian cross border insurance and asset management transactions at Asian Capital Advisors and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW). At Macquarie Funds Group, he had responsibility for Asian acquisitions and led a Korean asset management joint venture. At Manulife Financial, his region-wide responsibilities included mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships and wealth management. Mr Spence has held senior executive roles in Canada with Manulife Financial and in Australia with National Australia Bank and AMP.

John is a Chartered Accountant (CA ANZ) holds a Masters of Business Administration from Australian Graduate School of Management, Bachelor of Economics from Sydney University, is a Certified Financial Planner and a Senior Associate of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance. He is a Fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia, Australian Institute of Banking and Finance, Governance Institute of Australia, Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Hong Kong Institute of Directors.