In a fast-paced industry like food and agribusiness, risk management plays a vital role. From ensuring food safety and regulatory compliance to navigating climate impacts and supply chain disruptions, the ability to anticipate, assess, and respond to risks is central to sustaining quality and trust. As Aboitiz Foods Chief Risk Officer Annacel Natividad shares, “We see risk management as an enabler of growth and innovation. By managing it with discipline and foresight, we strengthen the foundation of our business—ensuring that our people, partners, customers and communities continue to thrive together.”

This philosophy is reflected in the recent achievement of the Aboitiz Foods Risk Team, with 80% of members now certified as RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professionals (RIMS-CRMP) under the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS), in partnership with the Pan-Asia Risk and Insurance Management Association (PARIMA). The certifications were awarded during the PARIMA Singapore Conference, a gathering of risk practitioners and industry leaders from across Asia.

Raising the Standard for Risk Excellence

The RIMS-CRMP is the world’s only accredited risk management certification under ISO/IEC 17024, a globally recognized benchmark for professional competence. It strengthens practitioners’ ability to apply strategic and analytical thinking in real-world contexts—designing risk frameworks, identifying and mitigating threats, and building a risk-aware culture across the organization.

For risk professionals, earning this certification signifies mastery across key areas, including understanding the organizational model, developing risk strategies, implementing processes, and supporting sound, data-driven decision-making..

Why It Matters for Aboitiz Foods

This milestone reinforces one of Aboitiz Foods’ core brand attributes: Building Expertise for Quality. Across the company’s operations—from feed mills and farms to production and logistics—quality depends not only on what is produced, but on how risks are managed at every stage of the food value chain.

With a certified Risk Team, quality and governance become deeply embedded in day-to-day decisions. This capability strengthens Aboitiz Foods’ ability to anticipate emerging risks, act decisively, and adapt responsibly—supporting innovation, sustainability, and resilience across its regional footprint.

Aboitiz Foods’ Assistant Vice President for Risk Management, Ed Monares, receives his RIMS-CRMP certification during the PARIMA Conference in Singapore. The certification is a globally accredited credential recognizing advanced competence in strategic and organizational risk management.

“Being RIMS-CRMP certified strengthens our ability to support the business with clearer insights and more structured risk strategies. For Aboitiz Foods, this means we can make decisions with greater confidence — grounded in global standards and aligned with our commitment to deliver quality from mill to meal.”
— Ed Monares, Assistant Vice President – Risk Management and DPO, Aboitiz Foods

A Smarter, More Innovative, and Purpose-Driven Approach to Risk Management

This milestone reflects the mindset that continues to shape Aboitiz Foods’ transformation. The Risk Team’s pursuit of globally recognized certification demonstrates what it means to work smarter—strengthening expertise, sharpening analytical capabilities, and applying globally benchmarked practices that elevate decision-making across the organization.

Their achievement also signals a more innovative approach to navigating a complex and evolving business landscape. Modern risk management requires fresh perspectives, new tools, and the ability to anticipate change. By elevating their capabilities, the team equips Aboitiz Foods to respond to complexity with greater agility and forward-thinking solutions.

Most importantly, this accomplishment reflects a clear sense of purpose. Each certification reinforces the organization’s commitment to safeguarding operations, strengthening trust, and upholding the quality promised throughout the food value chain.

Looking Ahead

The journey toward excellence doesn’t stop here. With a certified and empowered Risk Team, Aboitiz Foods continues to embed best practices across the organization while responding to the demands of an increasingly dynamic industry.

True transformation begins with people. As Aboitiz Foods enhances capabilities and embraces smarter, more agile ways of working, it builds an organization ready for the challenges and opportunities ahead by investing in its people. Their expertise keeps Aboitiz Foods resilient, future-ready, and firmly aligned with its purpose of sustainably nourishing the future, from mill to meal.

“Earning this certification is both humbling and empowering. It validates the work we do every day, but more importantly, it motivates us to keep improving. Knowing that our expertise contributes to the company’s resilience and long-term purpose makes this achievement even more meaningful.”
— Jun Ning Tu, Risk Specialist, Aboitiz Foods – China

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What is the significant achievement of the Aboitiz Foods Risk Management Team? 

The Aboitiz Foods Risk Management Team has achieved the RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) global certification, with 80% of its members now certified. This credential underscores the team’s commitment to adhering to international standards for risk management.

• What is the RIMS-CRMP certification and why is it important? 

The RIMS-CRMP is the world’s only accredited risk management certification under ISO/IEC 17024, which is a globally recognized benchmark for professional competence. Earning it signifies a mastery of strategic and analytical thinking in risk management, including designing risk frameworks, mitigating threats, and building a risk-aware culture across the organization.

• How does having a globally certified Risk Team benefit Aboitiz Foods?
  
  This certification strengthens Aboitiz Foods’ core brand attribute of “Building Expertise for Quality.” It ensures that quality and governance are embedded in all day-to-day decisions, strengthening the company’s ability to anticipate emerging risks, act decisively, and support innovation, sustainability, and resilience across its regional operations.
• What are some of the critical risks that the team manages in the food and agribusiness industry? 

In the fast-paced food and agribusiness industry, the risk team plays a vital role in managing risks such as ensuring food safety, maintaining regulatory compliance, navigating climate impacts, and handling supply chain disruptions. Effectively managing these threats is central to sustaining quality and trust with customers and partners.

• How does Aboitiz Foods view risk management? 

Aboitiz Foods views risk management not just as a compliance requirement, but as an “enabler of growth and innovation.” By managing risks with discipline and foresight, the company strengthens the foundation of its business, allowing it to make decisions with greater confidence and agility.