(Bloomberg) -- Prudential Plc named Anil Wadhwani as its next chief executive officer as the insurer furthers its pivot to Asia. 

Wadhwani will take on the CEO role next February, the insurer said in a statement Wednesday. Wadhwani is the head of Manulife Financial Corp.’s Asia region and previously spent 25 years at Citigroup Inc. 

Chief Executive Officer Mike Wells left at the end of March after more than six years in charge of the insurer. Mark FitzPatrick, who was previously chief financial officer, has served as interim CEO in recent months.

Under Wells, Prudential increased its focus in Asia, particularly mainland China and Hong Kong, having spun off operations in the UK and US. He also oversaw an equity raise on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, while steering the group through the pandemic.

“The board is delighted to appoint Anil following our thorough succession process and the move of the entire senior management team to Asia,” Chairwoman Shriti Vadera said in the statement. “Following his appointment, the group’s leadership, lead regulator and its operations will be geographically aligned.”

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