MANILA, Philippines — After three decades at the helm, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, affectionately known as "Jaza," has relinquished his position as chairman of Globe Telecom Inc., marking the end of an era for the telecommunications giant. The company disclosed the leadership transition in a recent stock exchange filing, confirming the change following its annual stockholders' meeting.
Cezar "Bong" Consing, a seasoned executive within the Ayala Group, has been elected as the new chairman, stepping into the role during the board's organizational session. Globe did not specify the reasons behind Zobel's departure but celebrated his legacy, describing him as the visionary who transformed the company from a cable operator into a pioneering digital telecommunications leader.
"Globe would not be the institution it is today without Jaza's vision and belief in what Globe could achieve," the company stated, highlighting his role in spearheading network modernization and fostering the Filipino digital lifestyle.
Zobel's tenure, which began in 1996 as chairman and included board membership since 1989, spanned 37 years of strategic growth. Under his guidance, Globe executed key mergers, such as with Clavecilla Radio Corp., and forged partnerships with Singapore Telecommunications Ltd., while acquiring assets like IslaCom and Bayantel. His influence also extended to ventures like GCash and Kickstart Ventures, which have become integral to Globe's ecosystem.
In a related move, Zobel's son, Jaime Alfonso, has been appointed co-vice chairman, a position previously held by Consing, signaling a continuation of family involvement in the company's governance. Despite stepping down, Zobel will maintain ties to Globe through Asiacom Philippines Inc., a joint venture with Singtel that holds a significant stake.
Consing, who will balance his new role with existing responsibilities as president and CEO of Ayala Corp., among others, takes the reins as Globe continues to navigate the evolving telecommunications landscape. The board expressed gratitude for Zobel's contributions, emphasizing his "undeniable achievements" in shaping the company's trajectory.