Sun Life Financial Inc. today announced that Douglas Henck is retiring as president of Sun Life Financial Asia.

Jim Prieur will relocate to Hong Kong to provide direct leadership to Sun Life Financial Asia and to help with the integration of the Sun Life’s recent Hong Kong acquisition, in addition to his existing responsibilities as president and chief operating officer. Prieur will be based in Hong Kong for approximately one year, during which time he will identify and prepare a successor for the role of president, Sun Life Financial Asia.

Sun Life says Henck will be available to the Asian management team to help facilitate the transition over the next year.

Henck joined Sun Life Financial in April 2000 as executive vice president of the company’s Asian operations. During his tenure, he has overseen, among other things, the building of a substantive regional headquarters in Hong Kong, the opening and growth of a highly successful life insurance joint venture in India, and the opening and subsequent expansion of a joint venture in mainland China.

Between 1999 and 2004, Sun Life Financial’s sales volume in Asia increased from $49 million to $240 million. Approximately one-third of Sun Life Financial’s worldwide individual life insurance sales are generated in Sun Life Financial Asia.

“Asia represents an important market in Sun Life Financial’s sustained, strategic program of international expansion,” said Donald Stewart, CEO, Sun Life Financial, in a release.

“We thank Doug for his significant contributions to the business. Moving forward, Jim’s experience and leadership will build on our success in Asia, positioning us for long-term growth and profitability in these important markets.”