Zobels lead Ayala Group's next generation of leaders

From left, Ayala Managing Director Mark Robert H. Uy, Managing Director Mariana Beatriz E. Zobel de Ayala, Executive Director Jaime Alfonso E. Zobel de Ayala, and Executive Director Jaime Z. Urquijo

The next generation Zobels are stepping up the Ayala Group’s corporate ladder to take on bigger roles after having earned their chops and showed their mettle as executives in recent years.

Ayala Corporation President and CEO Cezar P. Consing announced the promotions of Mariana Beatriz E. Zobel de Ayala and Mark Robert H. Uy to Managing Directors, and of Jaime Alfonso E. Zobel de Ayala and Jaime Z. Urquijo to Executive Directors. 

In a statement, the firm said “The promotions recognize how the four next-generation leaders have consistently proven their ability to build business, attract talent, and drive transformation at Ayala.”

“Each of our senior promotees represent Ayala at its best – purposeful, forward looking, professional, engaged. 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,” said Consing. 

Each of these leaders will focus on areas of the Group’s business that are strategically important to its future.

Mariana will lead the transformation of Ayala Land’s leasing business across its retail, hospitality, and office pillars. This includes the reinvention of flagship and core malls, as well as reimagining offices for changing workplace needs and a “post-office” generation. 

Uy will lead the continued transformation of the Group’s portfolio of businesses, as it aims to be more concentrated, more valuable yet still diversified. This includes looking after the longer-term future of existing businesses while exploring new ones aligned with Ayala’s broader purpose.

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.

Alongside this, he will continue to focus on accelerating the growth of Ayala’s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) platform, ACMobility.

Urquijo will lead the internal transformation of the holding company Ayala Corporation as it seeks to add more value to the Group as a whole. This is key to unlocking Ayala’s ambitions for greater synergy between the holding company and the different companies of the Group.

“Over its 191 years, Ayala has demonstrated a history of smooth leadership transitions anchored on thoughtful succession planning. The promotions of these four leaders are part of a deliberate, longer-term succession plan being implemented across the Group,” said Ayala Chief Human Resources Officer Francisco Romero Milán.

This plan includes the appointment of key Group leaders such as Carl Raymond R. Cruz as Deputy CEO of Globe Telecom, Margarita B. Dy as Ayala Land President and CEO, Erry Hardianto as AC Logistics President and CEO, Antonio G. Lambino II as Ayala Foundation President, Franchette M. Acosta as Ayala Corporation Chief Legal Officer, and John Carlos L. Syquia as Ayala Corporation Deputy CFO.