Unilever Philippines Welcomes Fredy Ong as New Chairman and CEO
Unilever Philippines Inc. announced the appointment of Fredy Ong as Chairman and CEO, a homegrown talent who has risen through the ranks of the multinational corporation. He succeeds Benjie Yap, who will now assume the roles of Head of Country for Unilever Indonesia and General Manager of its Home Care division. A turnover ceremony was recently held at Unilever's HQ in BGC, attended by government officials, foreign dignitaries, media executives, and members of the business community.
In his speech, reflecting on his humble beginnings, Ong remarked that his journey has come full circle—from assisting his family in managing a small grocery store on Blumentritt Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila, to selling Unilever products on every shelf in the Philippines.
Benjie Yap formally turns over the reins of Unilever Philippines to Fredy Ong.Â
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"I was a salesman, a merchandiser, a collector," he recounted the years he spent as a young boy working at the public market. "At that time, my life was centered on managing the grocery and keeping up with my schoolwork."
Those years, and the guidance of his grandmother, owner of the grocery store, solidified Ong's resolve to achieve more in life. "It was sheer hard work and dedication that helped me finish my studies," he said. Armed with a degree in Computer Science from De La Salle University, he seized an opportunity to join Unilever Philippines, initially the Philippine Refining Company (PRC).
British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils and Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano lead the ceremonial toast to welcome new Unilever Chairman and CEO Fredy Ong.Â
What began as a temporary assignment in planning and logistics evolved into a long-term career. Ong previously held the position of Country Director for Unilever in Cambodia and Laos before returning to the Philippines, where he took on the roles of Vice President for Customer Development and member of the Unilever Philippines National Board. His career progression recently culminated in his appointment as Chairman and CEO, a role he holds concurrently with his position as Head of Customer Development for Unilever Philippines
Ong emphasized the importance of sustaining growth through the Unilever Growth Action Program, as outlined by Unilever's Global CEO, Hein Schumacher: delivering high-quality growth, enhancing productivity and simplification, and fostering a strong performance culture.
In the Philippines, this strategy translates to competitive growth by focusing on expanding product categories and leveraging data and digital transformation to innovate core brands and drive brand superiority.
Ong with Summit Media Head of Revenue Growth Florence Bienvenido, chief operating officer Howard Go, and Mindshare Philippines Chief Investment Officer Richard Montealegre.Â
"We want to continuously build our business to stay relevant in the next century," he stated. Unilever Philippines is set to celebrate its 100th year in 2027. He underscored the importance of making the business future-ready and equipping both their workforce and business partners for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Yap mentioned that Unilever Philippines has become one of the fastest-growing Unilever businesses worldwide, advancing from top 20 to top 10 globally. It is also regarded as one of the largest fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies in the Philippines.
During Yap's tenure, the company expanded its operations through investments in two factories, enhancing production capacity and promoting rural development. This strategic expansion has established Unilever Philippines as one of the fastest-growing markets in the Unilever portfolio over the past two years.
