Businessman Lance Y. Gokongwei has been honored with the prestigious EY-Bank of Singapore ASEAN Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, a recognition of his exemplary leadership and significant contributions to the Southeast Asian business landscape.
Gokongwei, president and chief executive officer of JG Summit Holdings, will receive the award on Monday, Nov. 18, in Singapore.
Established in 2015, the EY ASEAN Entrepreneurial Excellence (AEE) Award is presented by the professional services organization EY, with the Bank of Singapore as its title sponsor.
It celebrates Southeast Asian entrepreneurs who not only drive economic growth but also foster positive societal change throughout the region.
Under Gokongwei's leadership, JG Summit—one of the region's most diversified conglomerates—embodies the values of innovation, inclusive growth, and sustainability.
"I want to make a positive and lasting difference in everything I can do and pay it forward," he stated. His leadership strikes a balance between profitability and value creation for stakeholders, employees, and the community at large.
Through subsidiaries like Universal Robina Corporation (URC) and Cebu Pacific (CEB), JG Summit has expanded its footprint across ASEAN.
URC serves markets such as Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam that provide products tailored to meet diverse consumer needs. Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific, a leading airline in the country, has strengthened regional connectivity with a robust network of flights across Southeast Asia.
Gokongwei’s commitment to innovation is also showcased in digital ventures like GoTyme, a partnership with Singapore’s Tyme Group. This digital banking initiative emphasizes his vision of enhancing financial inclusion through digitalization.
Moreover, the AEE Award acknowledges Gokongwei's efforts in furthering the goals of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which seeks to integrate the economies of its ten member states.
Under his leadership, JG Summit has contributed to economic growth that aligns with the AEC's objectives, demonstrating his dedication to fostering a prosperous and interconnected region.