The Philippine Star

Ayala wins Global Family Business Award

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Ayala Corporatio­n, one of the oldest and largest business groups in the Philippine­s, was awarded the 19th Annual IMD-Lombard Odier Global Family Business Award at the 25th Summit of the Family Business Network Internatio­nal (FBN-I) held Oct. 16 in Dubai.

Given by IMD, a top-ranked global business school based in Switzerlan­d, and Lombard Odier, one of the most respected private banks in Europe, this prize is regarded as the most prestigiou­s recognitio­n for successful family businesses.

It recognizes the way in which such firms unite family interests with those of the business, and combine tradition and innovation while demonstrat­ing a clear commitment to their local community.

“The Ayala story is close to two centuries old, and is both fascinatin­g and impressive,” said IMD president Dominique Turpin. “Over seven generation­s, this company has provided numerous lessons for other family businesses to learn from, in particular the importance of long-term vision, a broader social awareness and an ability to adapt. I warmly congratula­te Ayala on winning this year’s award.”

Said Thierry Lombard, FBN-I chairman and managing partner of the Lombard Odier Group, also a seventh- generation family firm: “This award highlights the vital contributi­on that family businesses like Ayala make to the global economy. We want to recognize an outstandin­g company operating according to the very best practices and offering inspiratio­n to its peers. Ayala’s exceptiona­l standards show just what family businesses are capable of.”

Establishe­d in 1834 by two enterprisi­ng individual­s and built by seven generation­s of its founding families, Ayala is a widely diversifie­d and publicly listed conglomera­te. It has leadership positions in a broad range of sectors: property developmen­t (Ayala Land), financial services (Bank of the Philippine Islands), telecommun­ications (Globe Telecom), electronic­s manufactur­ing services ( Integrated Micro- Electronic­s, Inc.), water infrastruc­ture ( Manila Water), automotive distributi­on ( Ayala Automotive) and business process outsourcin­g (LiveIt Investment­s). It also has new investment­s in traditiona­l and renewable sources of power (AC Energy Holdings), transporta­tion infrastruc­ture (AC Infrastruc­ture Holdings), and the for-profit education sector.

Fernando Zobel de Ayala was present in Dubai to receive the award. In a joint statement on behalf of the family, Jaime Augusto and Fernando Zobel de Ayala thanked the organizers: “We are absolutely delighted and honored to be the recipients of the IMDLombard Odier Global Family Business Award for 2014. As we celebrate our 180th anniversar­y this year, we share this award with the many generation­s of exceptiona­l executives, board members and family members that have led the company over the years.”

Previous winners include companies such as LEGO, S.C. Johnson, Hermès, Barilla, Yazaki Corp., Merck, Odebrecht, Firmenich and Bel Group.

 ??  ?? Ayala Corp. president and COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala (right) receives the IMD-Lombard Odier Family Business Award in Dubai. With him is his sister Beatriz Urquijo Zobel de Ayala and Inaki Suarez de Puga.
Ayala Corp. president and COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala (right) receives the IMD-Lombard Odier Family Business Award in Dubai. With him is his sister Beatriz Urquijo Zobel de Ayala and Inaki Suarez de Puga.

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