EastWest Bank has convened a high-level forum focused on family enterprise strategy and succession planning. The event gathered clients from EastWest’s priority, retail, and corporate banking segments, offering a structured platform to address leadership transitions and intergenerational governance.
Timed with EastWest’s 30th anniversary and the Filinvest Group’s 70th, the event echoed the evolution of family-owned enterprises into diversified corporate institutions. EastWest CEO Jerry Ngo underscored the need for early leadership alignment and long-term planning, emphasizing that sustained business success depends on clarity, structured governance, and intentional preparation.
Renowned IMD Singapore professor Marleen Dieleman introduced the Lotus Model—a strategic framework encouraging open dialogue across generations, with clearly defined roles and governance protocols. Her insights centered on communication as a critical driver of smooth succession.
The forum featured next-generation leaders Issa Gotianun Yap and Francis Gotianun, who shared personal experiences from within the Filinvest Group. They highlighted the importance of flexible governance and aligning evolving family dynamics with market realities.
Participants, including key members of the Gotianun family, engaged in scenario-based discussions and peer exchanges, focusing on the practical complexities of succession. Rafael S. Algarra, Jr., head of financial markets and wealth management at EastWest, emphasized the forum’s role in addressing both wealth preservation and legacy continuity for high-net-worth clients.
By creating a venue for strategic dialogue, EastWest reaffirmed its role not just as a financial partner but as a key advisor in legacy building for Philippine enterprises navigating generational transitions.
