SM Champions an Inclusive Workplace

“Our people are the strongest foundation of SM’s continued growth. That’s why we foster a culture of inclusion and belonging across all levels of the organization. At SM, inclusion is more than a principle—it is a long-term commitment, reinforced by meaningful action across all our business units.” ~Elizabeth Anne ‘Lizanne’ Uychaco, Executive Vice President and Group Diversity Officer at SM Investments Corporation

SM provides modern and open office spaces to cater to fresh ideas from different generations.

The modern workplace is changing into a dynamic environment of shared knowledge, creativity, and ongoing learning as four generations—from Baby Boomers to Generation Z—coexist in today's workforce.

The World Economic Forum's 2025 report emphasizes the importance of generational diversity in businesses, pointing to how it promotes teamwork, facilitates upskilling, and puts people at the center of technological change.  Businesses may increase innovation, expand mentorship networks, and facilitate more inclusive, flexible problem-solving by promoting various viewpoints.

Generational diversity is viewed as a strength at the SM group, which is headed by its main business, SM Investments Corporation.  With a good combination of expertise, energy, and new ideas, Millennials and Gen X currently account for 47% (between 30 and 50 years old) of the group's roughly 142,000 employees, followed by Gen Z at 47% (below 30 years old) and Baby Boomers at 6% (above 50 years old).

With women making up 64% of the workforce and 58% of senior leadership positions overall, this dedication also extends to gender inclusion.  Through its Equal Opportunity Policy and Framework, SM, a signatory to the UN Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) since 2022, promotes merit-based progression and guarantees equitable procedures, inclusive facilities, and open monitoring mechanisms.

The SM Sustainability School, a group-wide learning platform designed to future-proof skills and cultivate a sustainability mentality, reflects SM's forward-thinking approach to career development.  More than 43,000 people signed up for the program in 2024, taking part in 71 specialized modules.

The organization promotes inclusivity in both programs and physical areas.  In order to ensure that the daily work environment meets the demands of a diverse workforce, SM has installed 814 lactation spaces for nursing mothers, 787 PWD-friendly walkways, 171 gender-neutral restrooms, and 19 non-denominational meditation rooms throughout its offices and malls.

Inclusion is a driver of both culture and business performance because SM empowers individuals from all generations and backgrounds, fostering an environment where each person is respected, encouraged, and given the tools they need to succeed.

About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation is one of the leading Philippine companies that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM’s retail operations are the country’s largest and most diversified, consisting of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores. SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth largest private domestic bank.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com

For inquiries, please contact: smic_corpcomm@sminvestments.com