Fernando Zobel: Picking up right where he left off

MANILA, Philippines — Tycoon Fernando Zobel de Ayala is picking up where he left off in terms of promoting the greater good of stakeholders in the region.

Zobel recently led the Ayala Group’s top leaders in supporting a full-set of activation events by the We Are Ayala Business Club (WAABC) Negros, including a 400-strong employee townhall, a multi-brand trade fair and a client appreciation night.

“Ayala is here to build businesses that enable people to thrive,” Zobel said.

“WAABC Negros is a crucial piece of this purpose. We hope to demonstrate Ayala's continuing commitment to the region’s development,” he said.

Zobel revitalized WAABCs to re-energize the Ayala Group's business units and to promote the greater good of stakeholders in the region during his term as Ayala Corp. chief executive officer.

In 2022, however, Zobel stepped down from all his key positions at the Ayala Group due to health reasons.

He has since made a phased return to senior positions of governance at the group.

Zobel is currently a member of the board of Ayala Corp., BPI and Ayala Land. He is also the chairman of Ayala Foundation and Ayala's healthcare arm, AC Health.

Zobel said Negros is the fourth stop of a series of regional visits done which focus on provinces and cities where there is a significant presence of Ayala group employees and key stakeholders of the company.

“We plan to visit the other five business clubs in key areas across the country to also touch base with our Ayala Group partners, customers, valued clients and local officials,” he said.

Present in key business centers across the country, WAABC has chapters in Baguio, Central Luzon, Naga, Cebu, Negros, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro and Davao.

The chapters aim to engage local stakeholders, strengthen business units’ synergies and promote the Ayala Group culture among employees.