Bangkok, Thailand – Mr. Romulo I. Delos Reyes Jr., was recognized and honored as one of the 2024 “Outstanding Leaders in Asia” by the Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards. This prestigious trophy was bestowed upon him during the Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony held at the InterContinental Hotel last November 15, 2024. He was then formally introduced by the event host to be an exceptional leader who “emphasizes employee development with high retention rate and effectively stirring the Company through his leadership”.

The ACES Awards has grown to become one of the most sought-after accolades in Asia that recognizes Asia’s Top Leadership and Sustainability Players since 2014 as organized by the MORS Group. It honors individuals and juridical entities demonstrating exceptional leadership, innovation, impact and corporate sustainability practices and excellence within jurisdiction of the respective industry and beyond.

Mr. Delos Reyes, a Filipino insurance man, is one of the Asia’s finest leaders in sustainability and excellence. He has emerged victorious, along with thirteen (13) Individuals who were thoughtfully chosen out of 250 finalists from a total record of 682 nominations, for his visionary leadership, strategic acumen, and unwavering commitment to excellence in the non-life insurance industry of the country. Verily, he is a Stronghold in the Industry.

Leadership Grounded in Perseverance and Adaptability

Mr. Delos Reyes began his career in 1979 as a working student and collector. Through perseverance and hard work, he advanced through the ranks – from fire inspector, underwriting supervisor, underwriting manager, and beyond.

He shared that, “My progression continued as I was promoted to vice president for operations, then vice president and general manager, followed by executive vice president and general manager. I am now honored to serve as Stronghold’s president and general manager”.

“Each role I undertook, whether it was leading a small team or the entire company, I have navigated and been able to lead through evolving challenges, opportunities and milestone”, he added.

In addition, the ACES Council noted during the selection process: "Mr. Delos Reyes exemplifies the dedication, resilience, and visionary leadership that are the hallmarks of exceptional leadership in the region. His 45-year journey with Stronghold Insurance, from a working student to President and General Manager, is a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence and growth".

Welfare of the people is always at the center of the Company’s operations

“Having once been an employee myself before becoming a leader, I draw on my personal experiences to foster a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered”, Mr. Delos Reyes shared.

During an interview after receiving his award, it is noteworthy that he began by saying, “Talent Management is very important” to the question of “as a longstanding leader at Stronghold Insurance, how have you maintained such high employee retention rates and what is your vision for talent development moving forward?”. Here, he emphasizes giving utmost importance to an effective talent management consistent with the Company’s remarkable employee retention percentage result. By providing ample opportunities for career growth and advancement such as but not limited to regular training programs, business-related seminars/courses/workshops, and the like. Moving forward, his vision for talent development is to nurture, support, and develop Individual personal career growth and advancement gearing towards fulfillment of the Organization’s shared Goal.

Finally, this ACES Award reflects entirety of the Company’s Core Values (Social responsibility, Integrity, Commitment, Customer-Centricity, Competence, Compassion, and Innovation or SICI). Looking ahead, Mr. Delos Reyes will continue to exemplify these values in building a strong work culture among all levels within the organization towards fulfillment of its established Mission and Vision, strengthening market presence, promoting sustainable growth initiatives, and fostering a culture of excellence and innovation to navigate future challenges and opportunities as their leader.

About Stronghold Insurance Company, Inc.

Stronghold Insurance is a leading provider of non-life insurance solutions in the Philippines, delivering comprehensive products that cater to the diverse needs of Filipinos. With over 150 offices nationwide, Stronghold Insurance prioritizes customer satisfaction, engages in active corporate social responsibility initiatives, and upholds ethical business practices, consistently setting benchmarks in the insurance industry.