ERRAMON Aboitiz: Renaissance man

The Aboitiz family is a big player in Philippine business for over a century. With businesses covering a wide range of industries, including power, banking, food, and infrastructure, the clan's Aboitiz Group has been creating jobs and opportunities for Filipinos.

Founded by Paulino Aboitiz, son of a Spanish farmer who migrated to the Philippines in the late 1800s, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., or AEV, has grown from being an abaca-trading and general-merchandise business to a conglomerate with interests in power, banking, food, property, biofuel and construction.

The group is undergoing its Great Transformation to establish itself as the Philippines' pioneering techglomerate. This innovative growth strategy, powered by technology and a renewed entrepreneurial mindset, empowers the entire group to advance businesses and uplift communities.

Among the driving forces propelling the Group's business revolution is Erramon "Montxu" Aboitiz.

Montxu previously served as the president and chief executive at Aboitiz Equity Ventures for 10 years from 2009 to 2019. He also briefly held the role of CEO at Aboitiz Power Corp. in 2018.

Presently, he serves as a director at AEV and Endeavor Philippines and as chairman of the Board of Directors at Union Bank of the Philippines. Likewise, he serves as a board observer of the Aboitiz & Company.

The Asian Institute of Management named Montxu as the new chairman of its Board of Trustees, effective from 1 September 2023.

Montxu joined a respected group of successful business leaders who are dedicated to advancing the progress and welfare of Asia and its inhabitants. He was the 7th chairman of AIM, taking over from Peter Garrucho who held the position since 2017.

Montxu graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, USA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting and Finance.

In 2011, he was awarded the Management Man of the Year by the Management Association of the Philippines and recognized as the Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young. Seven years after that, AIM awarded Montxu with an honorary doctorate in management.

Social responsibility runs in Aboitiz blood

The Aboitiz Foundation, the social responsibility arm of the Aboitiz Group, donated $10 million to AIM in 2019 — known as the Aboitiz 100th Anniversary Commitment Fund. The fund aims to bridge the local and regional gap in data science and innovation.

As a result of this generous donation, AIM's Aboitiz School of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship is now able to provide top-notch education and research opportunities in data science, with a focus on practical applications. This is made possible by collaborating with data science professionals and leaders from around the world.

Recently, Montxu was elected chairperson of the AIM board of trustees.

He is widely recognized for his strong commitment to social responsibility and philanthropy.

Regarding the endowment to AIM, Montxu said it targeted assisting AIM in its efforts "to expand its curriculum and facilities towards the direction of a bold future, and the skills and education it will require."

Through his key role in the Aboitiz Group and the Aboitiz Foundation, he has spearheaded numerous projects that have made a positive impact on local communities.

Montxu has played a key role in shaping the initiatives of the Aboitiz Foundation. The foundation focuses on three key areas which are education, enterprise development, and environmental conservation.

"As businessmen, there is no doubt we seek profits and a return on our capital. But as Filipinos, we are equally guided by a sense of purpose to find meaningful ways of contributing to our communities across the country. This symbiotic relationship of profit and contributing to society is our secret sauce to true sustainability, allowing the Aboitiz Group to drive change for a better world by advancing business and communities," Montxu added.

The Aboitiz Foundation, whose current chairman is the incumbent Aboitiz Group president and CEO Sabin Aboitiz, implemented various programs and scholarships to improve access to quality education, foster entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities, and promote sustainability.

The foundation has been heavily involved in rehabilitating and improving schools in underprivileged areas. It has renovated classrooms, libraries and other facilities, providing students with better learning environments, and has also donated learning materials and equipment to enhance the educational experience of students.

The Aboitiz Foundation supports community-based programs that aim to uplift marginalized communities. These programs focus on various aspects such as health, nutrition, livelihood, and disaster resilience. The foundation works closely with local organizations and stakeholders to implement sustainable solutions and empower communities to become self-sufficient.

The Aboitiz Foundation places significant emphasis on environmental conservation and sustainability. They have initiated projects to protect and restore ecosystems, promote renewable energy, and reduce carbon footprint. The foundation actively supports reforestation efforts, marine conservation, and waste management initiatives.

The foundation also has a strong focus on disaster response and preparedness. They have been at the forefront of providing immediate relief and support during natural disasters, such as typhoons, earthquakes and floods.

The foundation also works toward building resilient communities by conducting disaster risk reduction and management training programs.
Montxu Aboitiz encourages and supports employee volunteerism within the Aboitiz Group. The company promotes a culture of giving back by providing employees with opportunities to engage in community service and volunteer activities.

This not only benefits the communities they serve but also fosters a sense of social responsibility among the employees. It also collaborates with various non-governmental organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to maximize the impact of their social responsibility initiatives. They work together to address complex social issues and implement sustainable solutions that create lasting change.

Aligned with the United Nations Global Compact, AEV drives policies, advocacies and initiatives to make a lasting impact.