SM Prime, Henry Sy bestowed top honors at Asia CEO Awards

MANILA, Philippines - For transforming a mall development and operations company into a behemoth entity that has redefined the Philippines’ real estate landscape and retail environment, SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) and SM Group’s founder Henry Sy Sr. were conferred the top honors at the recently concluded Asia CEO Awards.

SM Prime won the KPMG Executive Leadership Team of the Year award, the highest award given by the Asia CEO awarding body for its dynamic and efficient consolidation of its various real estate business units during awarding ceremonies held recently at the Solaire Resort and Casino.

The KPMG Executive Leadership Team of the Year award is given to a company that has demonstrated specific situations or projects where the organization was led to a new level of growth and pioneering achievement and recognized as such by the international community, establishing a commitment to the development of the country’s overall human resources capacity.

SM Prime president Hans Sy, who received the award together with John C. Ong, CFO of SM Prime, said the recognition serves as an inspiration for their company to do more not only for its shareholders, but also to everyone who continue to believe and support what it stands for and wants to achieve for the Philippines.

The merger of the SM Group’s various property businesses under SM Prime led by its chairman Henry Sy Jr., has made it one of the largest integrated real estate companies in Asia, achieving new heights in property management. The merger is considered a landmark in Philippine capital markets because it involved two listed companies undertaken by a single acquirer.

The merger is likewise touted as one of the most successful mergers for 2013, garnering the Most Innovative Deal Award from internationally-known publisher Alpha Southeast Asia Magazine.

With the merger, SM is able to realize synergies among its business units, increasing efficiencies in operations and revenue in enhanced shareholder value.  It also allowed SM to pursue larger projects, from reclaiming land to developing long-term integrated master-planned developments and lifestyle cities

The Asia CEO Awards, presented by PLDT Alpha Enterprise, recognizes the most accomplished and extraordinary leadership teams and individuals currently operating in the Philippines and the Asian region who have demonstrated outstanding achievements for their organizations and contributions to others.

SM Group’s Founder and SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) chairman Henry Sy Sr. was also given the highest honor at the Asia CEO awards to an individual as he was given the Lifetime Contributors Award in recognition for his actions that have resulted in significant progress in the well-being of the entire nation extending over many years.

Organizers of the Asia CEO Awards said Henry Sy Sr. represents the consummate CEO who demonstrated how his revolutionary works and tireless vision for the Philippines even in times of crisis have catapulted SM as one of the most successful diversified companies in the country today.

The award was received by Hans Sy in behalf of his father. Sy said it has been a rare privilege for him to have grown with Henry Sy Sr., who is not only his father but also his mentor.   “I humbly accept this award in his behalf with much pride, knowing all too well that he truly deserves this recognition. His legacy of hard work, leadership, service and integrity will live in our hearts and minds, a strong foundation for us to keep growing and delivering the best,” he said.

Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. also received the same award.

SM Cares, SM Prime’s corporate social responsibility arm, was also one of the finalists for the CSR of the Year award of the Asia CEO. The finalist trophy was received by Annie Garcia, president of SM Supermalls and Steven Tan, senior vice president of SM Supermalls.

Garcia said being chosen one of the finalists in the CSR of the Year category is a great honor for SM Cares and the entire SM Group.