Alumni Spotlight

SGV Alumni receives award from Queen Elizabeth

In recognition of his efforts to promote relations between the Philippines and the United Kingdom for over four decades, former SGVean Roberto F. de Ocampo was made an honorary Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) medal from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. The medal was presented by British Ambassador Stephen Lillie.

The Order of the British Empire recognises distinguished service to the arts and sciences, public services outside the Civil Service and work with charitable and welfare organisations of all kinds.
“This award is not only an immeasurably precious one to me for my lifetime but a treasure for my family to have and keep and to pass on to the next generations. The fact that this is all taking place during the Queen’s Jubilee Year, the London Olympics, and the 250th anniversary year of the first British presence in the Philippines makes the memory of this event more compellingly special to me,” said Dr. de Ocampo in his speech.

British Ambassador Stephen Lillie acknowledged Dr. de Ocampo as “a tireless and influential advocate for friendship, business and co-operation between our two island nations.” He also paid tribute to Dr. de Ocampo’s “unstinting and unpaid service” as Chairman of the British Alumni Association (BAA) in the Philippines, which he has led for more than 12 years. “Under his chairmanship, the BAA has become much more than an alumni association, but a truly effective body for the promotion of bilateral friendship and understanding,” said Ambassador Lillie.

A former Secretary of Finance during the presidency of Fidel V Ramos, Dr. de Ocampo is a highly-respected, multi-awarded and internationally recognised authority in the field of global finance and economic development. In addition to working at SGV from 1968-1972, Dr. de Ocampo was also Chairman and CEO of the Development Bank of the Philippines, a member of the Board of Governors of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank and an Alternate Governor of the International Monetary Fund, and a past president of the Asian Institute of Management.