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. 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 award. Zóbel was then conferred the
Presidential Medal of Merit in 2009 and the
Philippine Legion of Honor, Rank of Grand Commander in 2010. He was also conferred the Gawad Mabini with the rank of Commander in 2015. 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, currently Special Advisor to the Ayala Corporation Board of Directors, 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." ==See also==