Quick Facts
Biography
Jaime Augusto Zóbel de Ayala II, PLH (born March 6, 1959), also known as Jaime Augusto Zóbel, is a Filipino businessman, from the prominent Zóbel de Ayala family. He currently serves as chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Ayala Corporation. He succeeded his father Jaime Zóbel de Ayala, as the company's president and CEO in 1994 and as chairman and CEO in 2006.
In addition to his position in the Ayala Corporation, Zobel is chairman of Globe Telecom, Bank of the Philippine Islands, and Integrated Microelectronics Inc. (IMI); vice chairman of the board of directors and member of the Executive Committee of Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI); vice chairman of Manila Water Co.; and co-chairman and trustee of Ayala Foundation, Inc.
He also sits on the boards of various international and local business and socio-civic organizations.
- Member, Mitsubishi Corporation International Advisory Committee
- Chairman, Harvard Business School Asia-Pacific Advisory Board
- Chairman, Singapore Management University Advisory Council in the Philippines
- Member, Singapore Management University Board of Trustees
- Member, Harvard Global Advisory Council
- Member, J.P. Morgan International Council
- Member, University of Tokyo Global Advisory Board
- Member, Board of Trustees of Endeavor Philippines
- Trustee, Eisenhower Fellowships
- Member, Harvard University Asia Center Advisory Committee
In the past, he held the following positions:
- Chairman, Asia Business Council
- Chairman, Ramon Magsaysay Foundation
- Chairman, World Wildlife Fund Philippine Advisory Council
- Philippine Representative, APEC Business Advisory Council
Honors include World Economic Forum Global Leader for Tomorrow in 1995; Emerging Markets CEO of the year in 1998 (sponsored by ING); Philippine TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young Men) Award in 1999 and Management Association of the Philippines Management Man of the Year Award in 2006.
On September 27, 2007,he was conferred Harvard Business School’s highest honor, the Alumni Achievement Award, by Dean Jay O. Light. The award was also given to: Donna Dubinsky,A. Malachi Mixon of Invacare, Sir Martin Sorrell of WPP Group and Hansjorg Wyss of Synthes. Zobel de Ayala received his MBA from HBS in 1987. Zobel de Ayala was cited for “his innovative, entrepreneurial style of management (that) has benefited both Ayala and an island nation that faces significant social and economic challenges.” He is the first Filipino to receive this prestigious award.
Zóbel has been conferred the Presidential Medal of Merit in 2009 and the Philippine Legion of Honor, Rank of Grand Commander in 2010.
Later on, Finance Asia named him Best CEO for 2009/2010 and he received the CNBC Asia Business Leader Award in 2010.
On November 25, 2010, Zobel received the Asia Talent Management Award at the 9th CNBC Asia Business Leaders Awards held in Singapore. Zobel was recognized for “his personal involvement in supporting and nurturing leadership within the company.” Zobel was quoted as saying that he and his brother Fernando Zobel de Ayala, president and COO of Ayala, consider succession planning as a critical element in ensuring the corporation’s sustainability. He was the third Filipino to be recognized by the annual program, following Globe Telecom CEO Gerardo Ablaza, Jr. who received the ABLA in 2004, and Jollibee CEO Tony Tan Caktiong for corporate citizenship in 2006.”
On September 14, 2017, Zobel was named by the United Nations Global Compact as one of the 10 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Pioneers for the year 2017. He was the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to be recognized with this honor.Since 2016, the UN Global Compact has identified individuals "who were showcasing how business can be a force for good" and recognized them "for their efforts and achievements in advancing the SDGs."
Zobel studied at the Ateneo de Manila University (1966–1968), Ladycross School (1968–1971), and Worth School (1972–1976) before earning a B.A. degree in economics (cum laude) from Harvard College in 1981, and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1987. He is married to Elizabeth (Lizzie) Eder Zóbel, a descendant of Santiago Eder. The couple have four children.