SM Group hauls corporate governance awards

MANILA, Philippines — The Sy family’s SM Group has strengthened its governance, sustainability, investor relations and corporate leadership amid an increasingly complex global operating environment.

The SM Group bagged 24 awards from Hong Kong-based publication Corporate Governance Asia, led by parent company SM Investments Corp., which received eight recognitions, including the Sustainable Asia Award, Asia’s Best CSR, Best Corporate Communications and Best Investor Relations.

BDO Unibank received nine awards, while SM Prime Holdings Inc. received seven.

Corporate Governance Asia is a regional publication focused on corporate governance, sustainability, investor relations and boardroom leadership across Asia.

SM said the awards come as companies across the region navigate heightened economic volatility, geopolitical uncertainty and growing climate-related risks.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from Corporate Governance Asia. Governance and sustainability remain embedded in how we operate, helping strengthen resilience, support disciplined decision-making and enable long-term value creation for our various stakeholders,” SM Investments president and chief executive officer Frederic DyBuncio said.

DyBuncio was named Asia’s Best CEO (Investor Relations), while executive vice presidents Erwin Pato and Franklin Gomez were co-awardees for Asia’s Best CFO (Investor Relations).

Timothy Daniels, consultant and head of investor relations and sustainability, was cited as Best Investor Relations Professional.

SM Investments’ businesses span across retail, banking and property, with investments in high-growth opportunities in the Philippine economy.

Its property arm, SM Prime Holdings Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the country, while its banking interests include BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest bank and China Banking Corp.