Preparing for the future: Ayala promotes four ‘next-generation’ leaders

MANILA, Philippines – Four “next-generation” leaders of Ayala Corporation (AC) have been promoted to directorship roles, the country’s oldest conglomerate announced on Monday, March 17.

According to AC president and chief executive officer Cezar Consing, the four leaders will focus on parts of the group’s business that are deemed strategically important to its future.

“They will help make for an even better Ayala as we look ahead to completing two centuries of building businesses that enable people to thrive,” he said.

Mariana Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Land’s senior vice president for leasing and hospitality, was promoted to managing director. She will oversee the transformation of Ayala Land’s leasing businesses, such as the reinvention of its core malls and office spaces.

Mariana’s brother, Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, was promoted to executive director as he continues to focus on the group’s new energy vehicle unit, ACMobility. Mariana and Jaime Alfonso are children of AC chairman Jaime Augusto and his wife Elizabeth “Lizzie” Zobel de Ayala.

“Jaime Alfonso will play a leading role in upholding and raising the Group’s standards for excellent governance — a historical strength of Ayala even more relevant in a business environment marked by volatility,” the conglomerate said.

AC chief sustainability and risk officer Jaime Urquijo was also promoted to executive director to lead the conglomerate’s internal transformation.

“This is key to unlocking Ayala’s ambitions for greater synergy between the holding company and the different companies of the Group,” AC said.

Urquijo, Mariana, and Jaime Alfonso are all grandchildren of Jaime Zobel de Ayala and the late Beatriz Miranda Zobel de Ayala.

Meanwhile, AC’s group head of corporate strategy and business development Mark Robert Uy was also promoted to managing director, and will be tasked with creating a concentrated yet diverse portfolio of businesses for the conglomerate.

Other leadership transitions previously announced by the Ayala conglomerate include: