James Michael Lafferty

Last updated
James Michael Lafferty
James Michael Lafferty.jpg
Lafferty in 2020
Born1963
United States
Alma mater St. Xavier High School
University of Cincinnati
Occupation(s)Business Executive, Speaker, Columnist, and Olympic Athletics Coach
SpouseCaroline Lafferty
Website jamesmichaellafferty.com

James Michael Lafferty (born 1963) is an American business executive and athletics coach. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of Fine Hygienic Holding from 2018 to 2025 and previously held regional CEO positions at Procter & Gamble, The Coca-Cola Company and British American Tobacco. [1]

Contents

He was included in Forbes Middle East's Top 100 CEOs four times, most recently in 2023 and 2024. [2] [3]

Lafferty serves on the board and faculty of the Medical Wellness Association, a U.S.-based professional organization for wellness and preventive health. [4]

Finally, Lafferty has served as a part-time journalist. He has written over 100 opinion and lifestyle columns for The Philippine Star , one of the Philippines' leading national newspapers. [5]

Personal life

James Michael Lafferty is married to Carol Lafferty [6] and has seven children - Michael, Morgan, Kristen, John-Patrick, Kenji, Mikayla, and James Jr. Kenji is Lafferty's only adopted child. Kenji was an abandoned Filipino orphan, and after a period of foster care with the Lafferty family, was officially adopted by them. [7] [8]

Lafferty was the subject of a feature profile in *The Philippine Star* titled "Being a man for others," which described his philanthropic outlook, coaching philosophy, and personal journey as a mentor and father figure in both business and athletics. [9]

Education

Lafferty graduated from St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati in 1981. [10] He graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor's degree in psychology and physiology (1985). [11] [12]

Career


Business

Lafferty began his career at Procter & Gamble, where he rose from being a corporate fitness instructor, through marketing management roles before moving into senior regional CEO positions at P&G, and subsequently The Coca-Cola Company and British American Tobacco. [13]

In 2018 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), a Dubai-based hygiene and wellness company. [14] The company expanded its operations under his leadership and received industry recognition. [15]

Athletics coaching

Media coverage notes Lafferty's involvement in preparing Filipino long jumper Marestella Torres for the 2016 Rio Olympics. [16] [17]

Lafferty has served as a long-time mentor and conditioning coach to Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena, working alongside Obiena's primary coach Vitaly Petrov since 2017. His involvement extends to training oversight, including physical conditioning and mental preparation during Obiena's training period in Italy.[ citation needed ] Lafferty also publicly defended Obiena during allegations of doping, stating Obiena had never tested positive and dismissing such claims as baseless. [18]

Support during the EJ Obiena–PATAFA dispute

During the 2021–2022 dispute between Obiena and the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) over allegations of mis-liquidated coaching fees, Lafferty publicly supported Obiena's position. He highlighted that the issue stemmed from systemic problems in PATAFA's payment processes and advocated for direct payment to the coach instead of placing administrative burdens on the athlete. [19] Lafferty also revealed that several other countries offered Obiena citizenship in response to the controversy, with offers made even before the dispute became public. [20] Later, he publicly challenged PATAFA's claims by stating that Obiena had overpaid his coach—by more than €2,800—due to delays and inefficiencies in federation disbursements. [21]

He has also coached Nigerian marathon runner Esther Obiekwe, Nigeria's representative at the 2012 Boston and London Olympic marathons. [22] [23]

In addition to elite athletes, Lafferty has worked with amateur marathoners such as Kristy Abello, who has written publicly about training under him. [24]

Philanthropy

In 2006 Lafferty performed CPR on a Filipino man suffering cardiac arrest at Nagoya airport, an incident later reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. [25]

He has also been involved in the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association's "Adopt an Olympian" program, as the program originator, which provided private sector backing to athletes. [26]

Media

James Michael Lafferty has appeared on The Chrissy B Show, SKY 203, sharing his thoughts about the qualities needed to succeed. [27]

He has also been interviewed by Barbara Be about how he started his career and reached the position he is in today. The interview was titled "Climbing the Ladder". [28] He also appeared on Expat Insights with Raju Mandhyan where he talked about winners and champions. [29] He was a speaker at AESC and Tissue World 2005. [30] [31]

Publications and media

Lafferty has been profiled by international outlets including The Wall Street Journal and The National (UAE). [32] [33]

Awards and recognition

Lafferty has been awarded CEO of the year 21 separate times in his career by various organisations and government-affiliated associations, as of 2025. Lafferty is the winner of the 2019 Burj CEO Of the year Middle East Award as well as GCC 2019 CEO of the year, [34] and Daman Corporate Health and Wellness Visionary 2019 Award. [35] He has been listed 4 times, most recently in 2024, as among top 100 CEOs by Forbes Middle East, [36] and Best CEO of the Year 2022 in the Wellness and Hygienic Products sector. [37] [38]

The following table lists the awards Lafferty obtained:

Awards and Recognition
YearAward/RecognitionAwarded by
2009CEO Excel Award (Communication Excellence in Organizations)International Association of Business Communicators
2013Expatriate CEO of the Year - Finalist Asia CEO Awards [39]
2014Expatriate CEO of the Year - Finalist Asia CEO Awards [11]
2015Best Business Columnist - FinalistCatholic Mass Media Awards Philippines [40]
2018BEST CEO'S LEADING ON GENDER DIVERSITYThe Leonie Award [41]
2018MALE CHAMPIONS FOR GENDER DIVERSITYThe Leonie Awards [41]
2019BEST MENTOR OF THE YEARThe Leonie Awards [42]
2019BEST CEO'S LEADING ON GENDER DIVERSITYThe Leonie Awards [43]
2019THE DAMAN CORPORATE HEALTH & WELLNESS VISIONARYDaman Corporate Health & Wellness Awards [44]
2019MIDDLE EAST CEO OF THE YEARThe Burj CEO Award [45] [46]
2019CEO OF THE YEARGCC Best Employer Brand Awards [47]
2019MOST INFLUENTIAL CEO OF THE YEARForbes Middle East [48]
2020BEST HEALTHCARE CEO OF THE YEARUAE International Business Magazine [40]
2020CEO WITH HR ORIENTATIONThe Golden Globe Tigers [49]
2020BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEARThe Middle East Business Leader of the Year [50]
2020CEO OF THE YEARCEO Monthly [51]
2021CEO OF THE YEARThe Business Leader of the Year Award by World Leadership Awards[ citation needed ]
2021BEST HEALTHCARE CEO OF THE YEAR - JORDANWorld Business Outlook [52]
2021BEST HEALTHCARE CEO OF THE YEAR - UAEInternational Business Magazine [53]
2021TOP 100 CEOs IN THE MIDDLE EASTForbes Magazine [54]
2022BEST CEO OF THE YEAR 2022 - UAEGlobal Business Review Magazine [55]
2022MOST SUSTAINABLE CEO 2022World Sustainability Leadership - 9th Edition [56]
2023HIGHLY COMMENDED CEO OF THE YEARFacilities Management Middle East Awards [57]
2024THE MIDDLE EAST'S TOP CEOs 2024Forbes Middle East Magazine [58]

References

  1. ↑ Chowdhury, Farhana (10 September 2019). "Fine Hygienic Holding: Breaking the glass ceiling". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  2. ↑ "James Michael Lafferty – Top 100 CEOs 2023". Forbes Middle East. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  3. ↑ "James Michael Lafferty – Top CEOs 2024". Forbes Middle East. 14 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  4. ↑ "Board of Advisors – James Michael Lafferty". Medical Wellness Association. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  5. ↑ "James Michael Lafferty – Author Archive". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  6. ↑ AETOSWire (2019-05-15). "The Path to Gold: Fine CEO Coaches and Supports Olympic Talent". Arabia With Class. Archived from the original on 2019-07-23. Retrieved 2019-07-23.
  7. ↑ Helen Flores (24 September 2012). "Love endures: Expat completes PH adoption process". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on 2019-05-08. Retrieved 2019-05-08.
  8. ↑ Gonzales, Iris (2 March 2015). "Being a man for others, according to James Lafferty". philstar.com. Archived from the original on 2019-05-08. Retrieved 2019-05-08.
  9. ↑ Flores, Helen (2 March 2015). "Being a man for others, according to James Lafferty". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  10. ↑ Staff, Venture (2020-01-19). "A Fine Insight - Venture Magazine Interviews - Jordan". Venture Magazine. Retrieved 2022-09-18.[ permanent dead link ]
  11. 1 2 Chapter, Dubai (19 September 2022). "James Michael Lafferty Member of Della Leaders Club, Dubai Chapter". Dellaleaders. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  12. ↑ Hameed, Firdouz (2022-05-07). "Truth Be Told". brainfeedmagazine. Archived from the original on 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  13. ↑ "Money & Me: 'I believe in saving and don't like debt'". The National. 14 October 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  14. ↑ Chowdhury, Farhana (10 September 2019). "Fine Hygienic Holding: Breaking the glass ceiling". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  15. ↑ "Fine Hygienic Holding earns Guinness World Record for its paper mill in Abu Dhabi". Gulf News. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  16. ↑ Terrado, Reuben (2 April 2014). "With an American coach and team of experts, Marestella Torres expected to hit new heights in Rio Olympics". SPIN.ph. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  17. ↑ Atencio, Peter (5 August 2016). "Marestella's diet is key to her bid". Manila Standard. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  18. ↑ "EJ Obiena Never Tested Positive; To Take Polygraph Amid Doping Accusation – Mentor". One News. 18 October 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  19. ↑ "EJ Obiena's mentor says issues on payment to coach stems from 'broken system'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  20. ↑ "Olympic vaulter Obiena receiving passport offers from many countries, says mentor". The Philippine Star. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  21. ↑ "Contrary to PATAFA's allegations, Obiena overpaid his coach—mentor". The Varsitarian. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  22. ↑ Olowosagba, Bamidele (10 April 2012). "Olympic Marathon: Obiekwe Aims High". PM News Nigeria. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  23. ↑ Oluku, Sunny (9 April 2012). "Nigeria's Obiekwe heads to 116th Boston Marathon 2012". AthleticsAfrica. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  24. ↑ Abello, Kristy (9 June 2015). "Key Elements from my Ottawa Marathon Training". Pinoy Fitness. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  25. ↑ Arriola, Joanna (14 July 2013). "2 bound by chance airport encounter 7 years ago". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  26. ↑ Leyba, Olmin (6 August 2014). "Cid gains Patafa 'Adopt an Olympian'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  27. ↑ Chrissy B Show (2014-03-04), 5 Qualities You Need To Succeed - Interview with James Michael Lafferty, archived from the original on 2021-05-23, retrieved 2019-05-08
  28. ↑ barbara be (2013-12-03), Climbing the ladder - James Lafferty - Ex CEO of Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble - Barbara Be, archived from the original on 2021-05-25, retrieved 2019-05-08
  29. ↑ Expat Insights (2013-08-10), Winners Vs Champions with James Michael Lafferty & Raju Mandhyan 1, archived from the original on 2021-05-25, retrieved 2019-05-08
  30. ↑ Admin (21 September 2022). "The People At Work Hosts Top Business Leaders at "Business Unusual"". AESC. Archived from the original on 2019-05-08. Retrieved 2019-05-08.
  31. ↑ Admin (8 February 2005). "Tissues take off - Converting Today". www.convertingtoday.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2019-05-08. Retrieved 2019-05-08.
  32. ↑ Larano, Cris (5 April 2014). "Corporate-Minded Coach Dreams of Olympic Gold for the Philippines". The Wall Street Journal (Blog). Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  33. ↑ "Money & Me: 'I believe in saving and don't like debt'". The National. 14 October 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  34. ↑ Admin (21 September 2022). "James Michael Lafferty". G100 | Group of 100 Global Women Leaders. Archived from the original on 2022-09-21. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  35. ↑ Editorial, Meed (2019-10-27). "Top 11 UAE organisations with the healthiest workplace". MEED. Retrieved 2019-12-24.
  36. ↑ East, Forbes Middle (21 September 2022). "Holding Page". Forbes ME. Archived from the original on 2019-12-24. Retrieved 2019-12-24.
  37. ↑ Admin (2022-02-22). "Global Business Review Magazine Award Winners 2022 | Global Business Review Magazine". grbizm.com. Archived from the original on 2022-09-14. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  38. ↑ admin (2022-07-06). "James Michael Lafferty: Helping Clients with World Class Hygienic Products". Tycoon Success. Archived from the original on 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  39. ↑ Admin (19 September 2022). "James Michael Lafferty - Fine Hygienic Holding | ATD Middle East Conference & Exhibition Speaker". informaconnect.com. Archived from the original on 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  40. 1 2 Globe, Leaders (2022-08-14). "James Michael Lafferty: The Visionary Leader Changing the Health and Wellness Industry". The Leaders Globe Media. Archived from the original on 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  41. 1 2 Admin (19 September 2022). "Break the ceiling touch the sky global awards - 2018". houseofroseprofessional.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  42. ↑ Admin (19 September 2022). "Highlights - 2019 Leonie Awards". houseofroseprofessional.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  43. ↑ Admin (19 September 2022). "Highlights - 2019 Leonie Awards". houseofroseprofessional.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  44. ↑ Makdisi, Markianne (6 November 2019). "Daman Corporate Health & Wellness Awards". Need.com. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  45. ↑ Admin (19 September 2022). "BURJ CEO AWARDS | the Burj CEO Awardees". Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  46. ↑ berg, Blom (22 January 2019). "Dubai, UAE to Host 2019 Middle East Edition of Break the Ceiling Touch the Sky(R)". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  47. ↑ Admin (9 October 2019). "GCC Best Employer Brand Awards 2019". Employerbrandingawards.com. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  48. ↑ Forbes (19 September 2022). "Forbes Middle East Global Meets Local 2019". Forbes. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  49. ↑ "The Golden Globe Tigers Awards - International Awards - Event". Archived from the original on 2021-05-23. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
  50. ↑ Admin (19 September 2022). "Business Leader of the Year". Businessleaderoftheyear.org. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  51. ↑ Admin (1 March 2021). "Health & Hygiene for Corporate CEO". ceo review.com. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  52. ↑ Admin (21 September 2022). "Award Winner 2021 » World Business Outlook". World Business Outlook. Archived from the original on 2021-08-05. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
  53. ↑ Admin (19 September 2022). "Award Winners 2021 | INTLBM". Intlbm.com. Archived from the original on 2021-08-05. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
  54. ↑ Forbes (19 September 2022). "List of Top CEOs in the Middle East". Forbes. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  55. ↑ grbizm (2022-02-22). "Global Business Review Magazine Award Winners 2022 | Global Business Review Magazine". grbizm.com. Archived from the original on 2022-09-14. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  56. ↑ "World Sustainability Leadership Award Winners - 2022". Archived from the original on 2022-12-22. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  57. ↑ jiji, con. "Facilities Management Middle East Awards". Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  58. ↑ Forbes, Middle East (August 14, 2024). "The Middle East's Top CEOs 2024". Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
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