Gonzalo Pérez Rojas - Revision history

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← Older revision		Revision as of 07:50, 22 December 2025
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	\| citizenship = Colombia		\| citizenship = Colombia
	\| occupation = Business Executive, Lawyer		\| occupation = Business Executive, Lawyer
	\| years_active = ~~1981–2024~~		\| years_active = 1981-2024
	\| title = Former CEO, [[Grupo SURA]] (~~2020–2024~~)<br>Former President, Suramericana (~~2003–2020~~)<br>Former Chairman, [[Bancolombia]]		\| title = Former CEO, [[Grupo SURA]] (2020-2024)<br>Former President, Suramericana (2003-2020)<br>Former Chairman, [[Bancolombia]]
	\| education = [[Universidad de Medellín]] (Law Degree)<br>Swiss Re, Zurich (Insurance Specialization)<br>[[Kellogg School of Management]] (CEO Management Program)		\| education = [[Universidad de Medellín]] (Law Degree)<br>Swiss Re, Zurich (Insurance Specialization)<br>[[Kellogg School of Management]] (CEO Management Program)
	\| alma_mater = Universidad de Medellín, Northwestern University Kellogg		\| alma_mater = Universidad de Medellín, Northwestern University Kellogg
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	== Career ==		== Career ==

	=== Early career at Suramericana (~~1981–2003~~) ===		=== Early career at Suramericana (1981-2003) ===

	Gonzalo Pérez Rojas joined Suramericana in 1981, beginning a career that would span more than four decades with the SURA organization. He entered as a lawyer in the company's Legal Department, applying his legal education to the complex regulatory environment of the Colombian insurance industry.		Gonzalo Pérez Rojas joined Suramericana in 1981, beginning a career that would span more than four decades with the SURA organization. He entered as a lawyer in the company's Legal Department, applying his legal education to the complex regulatory environment of the Colombian insurance industry.
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	This comprehensive exposure to different aspects of the insurance business gave him an operational understanding that would inform his later strategic leadership.		This comprehensive exposure to different aspects of the insurance business gave him an operational understanding that would inform his later strategic leadership.

	=== President of Suramericana (~~2003–2020~~) ===		=== President of Suramericana (2003-2020) ===

	In 2003, Pérez Rojas was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Suramericana, assuming leadership of the insurance and social security arm of the SURA organization. Under his leadership over the next seventeen years, Suramericana transformed from a primarily Colombian operation into a major pan-Latin American insurer.		In 2003, Pérez Rojas was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Suramericana, assuming leadership of the insurance and social security arm of the SURA organization. Under his leadership over the next seventeen years, Suramericana transformed from a primarily Colombian operation into a major pan-Latin American insurer.
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	Key achievements during this period included:		Key achievements during this period included:

	'''Geographic expansion:''' Suramericana extended its operations to nine Latin American ~~countries—Colombia~~, Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Panama, Dominican Republic, and El ~~Salvador—building~~ a regional footprint that diversified risk and growth opportunities.		'''Geographic expansion:''' Suramericana extended its operations to nine Latin American countries - Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Panama, Dominican Republic, and El Salvador - building a regional footprint that diversified risk and growth opportunities.

	'''Major acquisitions:''' The most significant transaction was the acquisition of [[RSA Insurance Group]]'s Latin American operations, which substantially expanded SURA's presence in key markets and established the company as a major regional player.		'''Major acquisitions:''' The most significant transaction was the acquisition of [[RSA Insurance Group]]'s Latin American operations, which substantially expanded SURA's presence in key markets and established the company as a major regional player.
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	'''Scale and impact:''' By the end of Pérez Rojas's tenure as Suramericana President, the company had grown to serve 15.7 million customers with 13,000 employees across the region. Suramericana became the fourth-largest insurer of Latin American origin by premium volume, and the third-largest in the region when measured in dollar terms.		'''Scale and impact:''' By the end of Pérez Rojas's tenure as Suramericana President, the company had grown to serve 15.7 million customers with 13,000 employees across the region. Suramericana became the fourth-largest insurer of Latin American origin by premium volume, and the third-largest in the region when measured in dollar terms.

	=== CEO of Grupo SURA (~~2020–2024~~) ===		=== CEO of Grupo SURA (2020-2024) ===

	On April 1, 2020, Pérez Rojas was appointed President and CEO of Grupo SURA, the publicly traded holding company that controls Suramericana and holds major stakes in [[Bancolombia]], [[Grupo Nutresa]], and [[Grupo Argos]]. He assumed this role just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning to severely impact Latin American economies.		On April 1, 2020, Pérez Rojas was appointed President and CEO of Grupo SURA, the publicly traded holding company that controls Suramericana and holds major stakes in [[Bancolombia]], [[Grupo Nutresa]], and [[Grupo Argos]]. He assumed this role just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning to severely impact Latin American economies.
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	His tenure as Grupo SURA CEO would be dominated by one of the most contentious episodes in Colombian corporate history: the Gilinski Group's hostile takeover attempts.		His tenure as Grupo SURA CEO would be dominated by one of the most contentious episodes in Colombian corporate history: the Gilinski Group's hostile takeover attempts.

	==== The Gilinski takeover battle (~~2021–2023~~) ====		==== The Gilinski takeover battle (2021-2023) ====

	Beginning in November 2021, [[Jaime Gilinski]], in partnership with the Royal Group from Abu Dhabi, launched a series of eight successive tender offers (ofertas públicas de adquisición, or OPAs) for shares of Grupo SURA and Grupo Nutresa. This represented an unprecedented assault on the Grupo Empresarial Antioqueño (GEA), the network of interlocking shareholdings among major Medellín-based companies that had long characterized Colombian corporate structure.		Beginning in November 2021, [[Jaime Gilinski]], in partnership with the Royal Group from Abu Dhabi, launched a series of eight successive tender offers (ofertas públicas de adquisición, or OPAs) for shares of Grupo SURA and Grupo Nutresa. This represented an unprecedented assault on the Grupo Empresarial Antioqueño (GEA), the network of interlocking shareholdings among major Medellín-based companies that had long characterized Colombian corporate structure.
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	Pérez Rojas's response to the takeover attempts was constrained by Colombia's "passivity rule," which limited management's ability to take defensive actions during an active tender offer. For more than six months, he maintained public silence about the offers while working behind the scenes.		Pérez Rojas's response to the takeover attempts was constrained by Colombia's "passivity rule," which limited management's ability to take defensive actions during an active tender offer. For more than six months, he maintained public silence about the offers while working behind the scenes.

	In September 2022, Pérez Rojas authorized lawsuits against three Colombian regulatory ~~agencies—the~~ Financial Superintendency, Health Superintendency, and Superintendency of Industry and ~~Commerce—seeking~~ to nullify administrative acts that had approved the Gilinski takeover bids.		In September 2022, Pérez Rojas authorized lawsuits against three Colombian regulatory agencies - the Financial Superintendency, Health Superintendency, and Superintendency of Industry and Commerce - seeking to nullify administrative acts that had approved the Gilinski takeover bids.

	The conflict was ultimately resolved through a Framework Agreement reached in May 2023, under which Gilinski withdrew from Grupo SURA in exchange for acquiring a controlling stake (more than 87%) in Grupo Nutresa. This negotiated resolution preserved SURA's independence while acknowledging the new reality of Gilinski's role in the GEA.		The conflict was ultimately resolved through a Framework Agreement reached in May 2023, under which Gilinski withdrew from Grupo SURA in exchange for acquiring a controlling stake (more than 87%) in Grupo Nutresa. This negotiated resolution preserved SURA's independence while acknowledging the new reality of Gilinski's role in the GEA.

Maintenance script: Created comprehensive article: Former Grupo SURA CEO 2020-2024, Suramericana President 2003-2020, 42 years building Latin American financial services

2025-12-03T21:11:23Z

Created comprehensive article: Former Grupo SURA CEO 2020-2024, Suramericana President 2003-2020, 42 years building Latin American financial services

New page

{{Infobox person
| name = Gonzalo Alberto Pérez Rojas
| image = Gonzalo_Perez_Rojas.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = Pérez Rojas at a Grupo SURA event, 2023
| birth_date = 1958
| birth_place = [[Bogotá]], [[Colombia]]
| nationality = {{flagicon|Colombia}} Colombian
| citizenship = Colombia
| occupation = Business Executive, Lawyer
| years_active = 1981–2024
| title = Former CEO, [[Grupo SURA]] (2020–2024) Former President, Suramericana (2003–2020) Former Chairman, [[Bancolombia]]
| education = [[Universidad de Medellín]] (Law Degree) Swiss Re, Zurich (Insurance Specialization) [[Kellogg School of Management]] (CEO Management Program)
| alma_mater = Universidad de Medellín, Northwestern University Kellogg
| known_for = 42 years with SURA Group Navigating Gilinski takeover battle Expanding Suramericana across Latin America
| awards = Top CEO Latam 2023 (Financial Services)
| net_worth = Not publicly disclosed
| languages = {{flagicon|Colombia}} Spanish
| residence = [[Medellín]], [[Colombia]]
| website =
}}

'''Gonzalo Alberto Pérez Rojas''' (born 1958) is a Colombian business executive who served as President and Chief Executive Officer of [[Grupo SURA]], one of Latin America's largest financial services conglomerates, from 2020 until his retirement in 2024. He previously led Suramericana, the group's insurance arm, as President from 2003 to 2020. Over a career spanning 42 years entirely with the SURA organization, Pérez Rojas played a central role in expanding the company from a regional Colombian insurer into a pan-Latin American financial services powerhouse with operations in nine countries.

His final years as CEO were marked by one of the most dramatic episodes in Colombian corporate history: the hostile takeover attempts by the [[Gilinski Group]] between 2021 and 2023, which ultimately resulted in a negotiated resolution that preserved SURA's independence while allowing Gilinski to acquire control of [[Grupo Nutresa]].

== Early life and education ==

Gonzalo Alberto Pérez Rojas was born in 1958 in [[Bogotá]], [[Colombia]]. Details about his family background and early life have not been publicly disclosed, as Pérez Rojas has maintained strict privacy regarding his personal life throughout his career.

He pursued his higher education at the [[Universidad de Medellín]], where he earned a law degree. This legal training would prove valuable in his subsequent career in the heavily regulated insurance and financial services industry.

After establishing himself in the Colombian business world, Pérez Rojas continued his professional development through international programs. He completed a specialization in insurance at [[Swiss Re]] in Zurich, Switzerland, deepening his technical expertise in the industry. Later, he attended the CEO Management Program at the [[Kellogg School of Management]] at [[Northwestern University]] in Chicago, gaining exposure to American management practices and strategic thinking.

== Career ==

=== Early career at Suramericana (1981–2003) ===

Gonzalo Pérez Rojas joined Suramericana in 1981, beginning a career that would span more than four decades with the SURA organization. He entered as a lawyer in the company's Legal Department, applying his legal education to the complex regulatory environment of the Colombian insurance industry.

Over the following two decades, Pérez Rojas rotated through progressively senior positions across multiple functions:
* Human Resources Manager
* Manager of the Medellín Brokerage Branch
* Manager of Corporate Business
* Vice President of Corporate Business
* Vice President of Insurance and Capitalization

This comprehensive exposure to different aspects of the insurance business gave him an operational understanding that would inform his later strategic leadership.

=== President of Suramericana (2003–2020) ===

In 2003, Pérez Rojas was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Suramericana, assuming leadership of the insurance and social security arm of the SURA organization. Under his leadership over the next seventeen years, Suramericana transformed from a primarily Colombian operation into a major pan-Latin American insurer.

Key achievements during this period included:

'''Geographic expansion:''' Suramericana extended its operations to nine Latin American countries—Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Panama, Dominican Republic, and El Salvador—building a regional footprint that diversified risk and growth opportunities.

'''Major acquisitions:''' The most significant transaction was the acquisition of [[RSA Insurance Group]]'s Latin American operations, which substantially expanded SURA's presence in key markets and established the company as a major regional player.

'''Scale and impact:''' By the end of Pérez Rojas's tenure as Suramericana President, the company had grown to serve 15.7 million customers with 13,000 employees across the region. Suramericana became the fourth-largest insurer of Latin American origin by premium volume, and the third-largest in the region when measured in dollar terms.

=== CEO of Grupo SURA (2020–2024) ===

On April 1, 2020, Pérez Rojas was appointed President and CEO of Grupo SURA, the publicly traded holding company that controls Suramericana and holds major stakes in [[Bancolombia]], [[Grupo Nutresa]], and [[Grupo Argos]]. He assumed this role just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning to severely impact Latin American economies.

His tenure as Grupo SURA CEO would be dominated by one of the most contentious episodes in Colombian corporate history: the Gilinski Group's hostile takeover attempts.

==== The Gilinski takeover battle (2021–2023) ====

Beginning in November 2021, [[Jaime Gilinski]], in partnership with the Royal Group from Abu Dhabi, launched a series of eight successive tender offers (ofertas públicas de adquisición, or OPAs) for shares of Grupo SURA and Grupo Nutresa. This represented an unprecedented assault on the Grupo Empresarial Antioqueño (GEA), the network of interlocking shareholdings among major Medellín-based companies that had long characterized Colombian corporate structure.

Pérez Rojas's response to the takeover attempts was constrained by Colombia's "passivity rule," which limited management's ability to take defensive actions during an active tender offer. For more than six months, he maintained public silence about the offers while working behind the scenes.

In September 2022, Pérez Rojas authorized lawsuits against three Colombian regulatory agencies—the Financial Superintendency, Health Superintendency, and Superintendency of Industry and Commerce—seeking to nullify administrative acts that had approved the Gilinski takeover bids.

The conflict was ultimately resolved through a Framework Agreement reached in May 2023, under which Gilinski withdrew from Grupo SURA in exchange for acquiring a controlling stake (more than 87%) in Grupo Nutresa. This negotiated resolution preserved SURA's independence while acknowledging the new reality of Gilinski's role in the GEA.

Reflecting on the experience, Pérez Rojas later stated: "I believe we faced an era in which we learned, we also suffered... Obviously, it's more comfortable if we didn't have those interactions, the OPAs and having to address them."

==== Retirement ====

On August 31, 2023, Pérez Rojas submitted his resignation letter to Grupo SURA's Board of Directors, having reached 65 years of age as required by the Company's Code of Good Governance for retirement. He requested that his term not extend beyond April 30, 2024.

The Board requested that he remain through the completion of the Framework Agreement with Gilinski, and he agreed to serve until his successor could be installed. Ricardo Jaramillo Mejía, described as Pérez Rojas's protégé, was appointed as his successor and assumed the CEO role on May 1, 2024.

=== Board positions ===

Throughout his career, Pérez Rojas held numerous board positions within the SURA portfolio and related organizations:

'''Within SURA Group:'''
* Chairman of [[Bancolombia]] S.A. (resigned May 1, 2024)
* Board member of Grupo Nutresa
* Board member of Grupo Argos
* Board member of SURA Asset Management
* Board member of Suramericana
* President of Inversura S.A.

'''Foundations and civic organizations:'''
* SURA Foundation
* Nutresa Foundation
* Proantioquia
* Private Competitiveness Council (Consejo Privado de Competitividad)
* Entrepreneurs for Education Foundation (Fundación Empresarios por la Educación)
* Ideas for Peace Foundation (Fundación Ideas para la Paz)
* Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra

== Business philosophy and leadership style ==

Pérez Rojas's leadership philosophy emphasized long-term value creation, ethical conduct, and institutional building. According to official SURA communications and colleagues:

'''Ethical leadership:''' "Mr. Pérez has distinguished himself for his ethical principles, among his many other virtues, which have given particular value to fairness, responsibility, transparency and respect."

'''Long-term vision:''' When asked about SURA's growth, Pérez Rojas attributed success to "la visión de largo plazo, esa cultura de paso a paso de ir construyendo con todos" (the long-term vision, that step-by-step culture of building with everyone).

'''Inspirational approach:''' Board member Jaime Arrubla described Pérez Rojas as demonstrating "inspirational leadership" with "a very personal and authentic stamp," supporting the personal and professional growth of many colleagues throughout his career.

'''Social awareness:''' "Gonzalo Pérez's social awareness, human sensitivity and admiration for knowledge have left an indelible mark on the corporate culture of the companies belonging to the SURA Business Group."

== Personal life ==

Gonzalo Alberto Pérez Rojas has maintained strict privacy regarding his personal life. Information about his wife, family, and personal interests has not been publicly disclosed. This discretion is consistent with his professional reputation for maintaining clear boundaries between public corporate responsibilities and private matters.

He is based in [[Medellín]], Colombia, where the SURA Group is headquartered and where he studied law at the Universidad de Medellín.

== Awards and recognition ==

* '''Top CEO Latam 2023:''' Recognized as the best leader in the financial services sector and ranked sixth overall in the Top CEO Latam 2023 ranking
* '''MERCO Empresas 2023:''' Under his leadership, SURA was ranked among the organizations with the best reputation in Colombia for the 13th consecutive year
* '''Board Recognition (2024):''' The Grupo SURA Board of Directors gave special recognition to Pérez Rojas for his "lifetime of work and leadership with the SURA Business Group, during which he made a decisive contribution to the growth of Grupo SURA and the companies that form part of its portfolio"

== References ==

{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="gruposura">{{cite web |url=https://www.gruposura.com/en/persona/gonzalo-alberto-perez/ |title=Gonzalo Alberto Pérez - CEO of Grupo SURA |publisher=Grupo SURA |access-date=2024-12-03}}</ref>
<ref name="bancolombia">{{cite web |url=https://www.grupobancolombia.com/corporate/corporate-governance/board-of-directors-and-senior-management/gonzalo-alberto-perez-rojas |title=Gonzalo Alberto Pérez Rojas |publisher=Grupo Bancolombia |access-date=2024-12-03}}</ref>
<ref name="bloomberg">{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/15132702 |title=Gonzalo Alberto Perez Rojas |publisher=Bloomberg Markets |access-date=2024-12-03}}</ref>
<ref name="successor">{{cite web |url=https://www.gruposura.com/en/noticia/ricardo-jaramillo-mejia-shall-take-over-as-grupo-suras-chief-executive-officer-on-may-1st-after-gonzalo-perez-retires/ |title=Ricardo Jaramillo Mejía shall take over as Grupo SURA's CEO |publisher=Grupo SURA |date=2024}}</ref>
<ref name="elcolombiano">{{cite news |title=Nos tocó una época, en la que aprendimos y también sufrimos |url=https://www.elcolombiano.com/negocios/presidente-de-sura-habla-de-como-enfrento-las-opa-de-gilinski-por-nutresa-AG24110275 |publisher=El Colombiano |date=2024}}</ref>
<ref name="theorg">{{cite web |url=https://theorg.com/org/sura/org-chart/gonzalo-alberto-perez-rojas |title=Gonzalo Alberto Pérez Rojas - President at Grupo SURA |publisher=The Org |access-date=2024-12-03}}</ref>
<ref name="marketscreener">{{cite web |url=https://www.marketscreener.com/insider/GONZALO-ALBERTO-PEREZ-ROJAS-A0EYLN/ |title=Gonzalo Alberto Pérez Rojas: Positions, Relations and Network |publisher=MarketScreener |access-date=2024-12-03}}</ref>
<ref name="appointment2020">{{cite web |url=https://www.gruposura.com/en/noticia/gonzalo-alberto-perez-shall-be-taking-over-as-chief-executive-officer-of-grupo-sura-as-of-april-1st/ |title=Gonzalo Alberto Pérez shall be taking over as Chief Executive Officer |publisher=Grupo SURA |date=2020}}</ref>
}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.gruposura.com Grupo SURA official website]
* [https://www.sura.com Suramericana official website]

[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Colombian businesspeople]]
[[Category:Colombian lawyers]]
[[Category:People from Bogotá]]
[[Category:Insurance executives]]
[[Category:Kellogg School of Management alumni]]
[[Category:Chief executive officers]]