In many family businesses, the next generation eventually steps into leadership roles. But for Martin Zamora, the path to becoming president and CEO of Nickel Asia was far from automatic.
Instead of joining the company his father founded, Zamora spent years building his career outside the family enterprise. He worked in corporate finance, investment banking, and international capital markets—experiences that would later shape the way he approached leadership when he eventually returned to Nickel Asia.
“My goal was not to join my father’s company,” Zamora recalls.
Early in his career, he believed that gaining a deep understanding of finance would be essential for anyone who hoped to lead a company. Without those skills, he felt it would be difficult to make sound strategic decisions.
“When I was in college, I felt I didn’t learn enough about finance and accounting,” he says. “I always thought that it would be difficult to run a business or be in a top role in any company if you don’t have the tools—the finance and accounting tools.”
With that in mind, Zamora deliberately chose to start his professional career in the financial sector.
“So right after college, I joined SGV and Company in the corporate finance department.”
At SGV, one of the Philippines’ leading professional services firms, Zamora gained exposure to financial advisory work and corporate transactions. The experience gave him a closer look at how companies evaluate investments, structure deals, and manage financial risks.
He spent about three years there before moving into investment banking, joining Jardine Fleming, which at the time was one of Asia’s prominent financial institutions.
“I spent about three years there, and then I joined an investment bank. At that time, it was called Jardine Fleming.”
The move into investment banking broadened his perspective on business. Instead of focusing only on internal financial management, he began working with companies from an investor’s standpoint—understanding how businesses raise capital and how markets evaluate corporate performance.
Zamora later decided to deepen his understanding of business even further by pursuing graduate studies abroad.
“I went to business school. I took my MBA in London—London Business School.”
After completing his MBA, he returned to the investment banking industry. The firm he joined was associated with former finance secretary Cesar “Buboy” Virata and would later become part of CLSA, a major investment group in Asia.
“And after that, I returned to the firm… That investment bank eventually became CLSA.”
By this time, Zamora had accumulated significant experience in finance, capital markets, and corporate strategy. But the next turning point in his career came when he received an invitation from his father.
“After spending a few years there, I transferred to a renewable energy company,” he says. “After a year, I was invited by my dad and one of our directors, si Philip Ang. They asked me to join Nickel Asia.”
At the time, his father was already in his sixties. Zamora saw the opportunity not only as a career move but also as a chance to learn directly from the person who had built the company.
“I thought it was a good time to learn from him.”
Still, the decision involved stepping into unfamiliar territory. Despite his financial expertise, Zamora had little background in mining.
“Without knowing much about the industry or about mining or about the company in particular, I decided to take that chance, even though all my background was in finance.”
He officially joined Nickel Asia in 2007.
One of the first major responsibilities he faced was preparing the company for its listing on the Philippine Stock Exchange.
“One of my first tasks was to list the company in PSE, and that was done successfully in 2010.”
The successful IPO marked a significant milestone for the company, opening Nickel Asia to public investors and providing capital to support its growth.
Despite his financial background, Zamora did not immediately move into the top leadership position. Instead, he spent years learning the operational side of the business.
“I started out in the purchasing and marketing department,” he says. “And then later on, I became an SVP for all the operations.”
The gradual transition allowed him to gain a deeper understanding of the company and the mining industry.
For a time, he served as president while longtime company leader Jerry Brimo continued to hold the roles of chairman and CEO. In 2020, Zamora assumed the position of president and CEO of Nickel Asia.
His journey reflects a leadership path that many family businesses attempt to follow: gaining experience outside the company, learning directly from the founder, and gradually taking on greater responsibilities before assuming the top role.
For Zamora, the years spent outside the family business proved invaluable. They provided the financial discipline and strategic perspective that would later help guide one of the country’s largest mining companies.
