The president of John Hancock’s U.S. insurance division has been tapped to serve as president of John Hancock Financial Services, the U.S. division of Toronto-based Manulife Financial Corp.

James R. Boyle

James R. Boyle, who is based in Boston and previously served as president of the U.S. Wealth Management division of John Hancock, becomes the 21st president of John Hancock, which was founded in 1862. Boyle, 49, is also a member of Manulife’s executive and management committees.

He will direct all phases of John Hancock’s operations, including life insurance, long-term care insurance, variable annuities, 401(k)s, fixed products and mutual funds, John Hancock Financial Network and Investment Management Services.

Boyle joined Manulife in 1992, having previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He succeeds John D. DesPrez III, who recently was named chief operating officer of Manulife with responsibility for the company’s global insurance and wealth management operations, which are organized into the U.S., Canada, and Asia & Japan divisions. DesPrez also serves as chairman and CEO of John Hancock, and is based in Boston.

At year-end 2008, John Hancock accounted for 61% of Manulife’s overall $65.8 billion in premiums and deposits.