URC names Lee new CEO
Gokongwei-led Universal Robina Corp. has appointed global consumer goods veteran Irwin Lee as its new president and chief executive officer (CEO) effective May 14 this year.
Lee will take over the post to be vacated by Lance Gokongwei, who will become URC chair.
Founder John Gokongwei and his brother James Go will both become chair emeritus, based on URC’s disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Thursday.
The 53-year-old Lee spent 30 years working for Procter & Gamble (P&G) in various jurisdictions.
In 2016, Lee joined Dairy Farm International Holdings Ltd. and headed the Philippine grocery business under Rustan Supercenters.
Recently, the Gokongwei group acquired this grocery business through Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (RRHI).