Sun Life names JJ Moreno Philippines chief as Benedict Sison retires
Benedict Sison (left) and Jonathan Juan “JJ” Moreno (right)
Sun Life Financial Inc. named Jonathan Juan “JJ” Moreno as its next chief executive officer and country head for the Philippines, succeeding Benedict Sison who will retire after 15 years with the insurer.
Moreno, currently the president of Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc., will assume the top post on April 1, 2026, the Toronto-based company said in a statement Friday, Jan. 9.
Sison, who has led the Philippine operations since 2018, will remain as a strategic advisor and chairman of the Sun Life Philippines Holding Co. and the Sun Life Foundation through the end of next year to assist with the leadership transition.
The leadership change comes as Sun Life seeks to maintain its dominant position in the Philippines' insurance market. During Sison’s nearly eight-year tenure as CEO, the company solidified its rank as the top life insurer, growing its client base to more than 6.2 million and expanding its sales force to over 22,000 advisors.
The firm also branched out into specialized asset management with the launch of the Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corp.
Manjit Singh, president of Sun Life Asia, credited Sison with steering the company through a period of significant expansion and maintaining its status as a market leader.
Sison’s influence extended beyond the firm; he served two terms as president of the Philippine Life Insurance Association and received regional accolades, including the Executive Champion of the Year award at the Asia Trusted Life Agents and Adviser Awards.
Moreno joined Sun Life in May 2025 and has been working alongside the local leadership team to prepare for the succession.
He brings two decades of executive experience across several sectors, including financial services, telecommunications, and retail.
He previously served as the chief executive of AF Payments Inc., the operator of the contactless "Beep" payment system, and was the chief strategy officer at Metro Retail Stores Group Inc.
As the incoming country head, Moreno will oversee all of Sun Life’s business entities in the Philippines.
He takes the helm as the industry faces shifting consumer preferences toward digital services and a growing demand for health-focused insurance products.
Moreno said his focus will remain on driving innovation and sustainability while pursuing the company’s goal of providing financial security to more Filipinos.
Sun Life remains a significant player in the Philippine financial landscape, where the life insurance industry continues to see potential for growth amid a rising middle class.
The company's local units manage billions of pesos in assets, supported by one of the largest agency networks in the country.