Schumacher leaves ECCP

MANILA, Philippines - After close to 40 years of dedicated service to the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), the partnership between the ECCP and Henry Schumacher is moving into a new phase.  As of the end of February, Schumacher has left the ECCP in an official capacity to pursue his own dreams and advocacies.

Schumacher first came to the Philippines in 1977 as the CEO of multinational company Hoechst Philippines, arriving at a period when the European business community was growing dramatically. During this period, which was also the time of Martial Law, it became clear that there needed to be a ‘voice’ for European businessmen in the country.

 It was through this need that Schumacher, along with a group of European businessmen, decided to work immediately to form the ECCP, the first European chamber outside of Europe.

As an integral part of the ECCP’s foundation in 1978, Schumacher has been instrumental in every phase of the chamber’s journey thus far. He began as vice president of the board until he was elected president in 1983. In 1989 and after 25 years of service to Hoescht, he went on to join the chamber full time. Throughout his stay with the chamber, he served in various capacities including executive vice president, vice president and general manager, and as president of the ECCPs various affiliates and subsidiaries. More recently, Schumacher has been the senior advocacy adviser since April 2016.

Schumacher also spearheaded ECCP Cebu, established the ECCP’s project management expertise through projects like the European Business Information Center and the European Community Investment Partners to name a few, and diversified the ECCP’s business through establishing ventures including Fairs & More Inc., the European IT Service Center Foundation, Imperial Consulting Inc.

He also strengthened the chamber’s CSR activities by launching projects like English is Cool, One Filipino.net, Materials R&D, and the Human Capital Club.