ROLE MODEL

Henry Sy  is a Chinese Filipino businessman and the founder of SM Group and chairman of SM Prime Holdings, the largest retailer and shopping mall operator in the Philippines. He earned his Associate of Arts degree in Commercial Studies at Far Eastern University in 1950^. Acknowledged as the country’s "Retail King," he set up a modest shoe store in Quiapo in 1946, then expanded his businesses until he became the biggest shopping mall operator with over 41 malls throughout the Philippines. He is the Philippines' richest man, gaining $3.7 billion in 2007, amid the global financial crisis. The huge gain was due to his holding company, SM Investments Corp., which has interests in Banco de Oro Universal Bank, inter alia. Forbes magazine's 2008 list of 40 wealthiest Filipinos, revealed the Sy family's net worth was $6.2 billion. Earlier, he was the second wealthiest individual in the Philippines, next to Lucio Tan, and (as of 2008) 843rd in the world.

He is a leader the practices common interest in his company and his employees. Mr. Henry Sy is a very hands on and strict management leader as he is the one who handled the day to day operations of his malls for more than 20 years. He also built a clear and distinct barriers of entry to his organization. He only allowed his sons and daughters along with some of the most established businessmen in his company. By creating this type of management team he is sure that everyone is of common interest and that each other has a strong sense of cohesiveness to reach the vision and mission of the company.