LIFE coach James Michael “Jim” Lafferty, a humble and low-profile mentor, has been taking his act to the corporate world across the Middle East, but has never abandoned one of the things he loves most— guiding and supporting Filipino athletes in their overseas campaigns.
Lafferty has been supporting two-time Olympian and Asia’s top pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena and three-time Olympian long jumper Marestella Torres-Sunang—both pure-blooded Filipinos— during their triumphs and difficulties.
“I have always been a believer of Filipino talent going back to my days as CEO of Procter and Gamble Philippines. And this belief certainly includes the talent of Filipino athletes,” Lafferty said. “I do not have any regret supporting both and fighting for them, especially EJ Obiena, who is the world’s top three pole vaulter and Asia’s best. Marestella also proved herself as Asia’s best in 2009 and as a three-time Olympian from 2008, 2012 and 2016.
Lafferty, now working as a chief executive officer (CEO) for Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is in the Forbes Middle East Top 100 CEOs for the fourth time.
He made it to the Forbes list in 2018, 2021, 2023 and 2024 because of his 39 years of experience working in leading multinational corporations across the globe.
Despite working double time at his UAE company, Lafferty stays incredibly supportive of Obiena until now, believing the country’s leading athlete in athletics would bring home more victories overseas.
“Very thankful to Forbes for recognizing me as top 100 CEO for fourth consecutive time. At the same time, I’m so proud to be associated with EJ in his journey as one of his coaches and adviser,” the powerlifting champion also said. “It is a great pleasure to be of help to someone like EJ. I love the Philippines and he is a great asset to the nation. As I told the Senate, ‘EJ is a world-class athlete, but he’s an even better human being’.”
Jim is married to Carol Lafferty, the CEO and founder of KARE Homecare Services in Dubai, providing in-home nurses, midwives and caregiver services to new mothers.
According also to Forbes Middle East, Lafferty had also worked as a CEO with Procter & Gamble, the Coca-Cola Company, and British American Tobacco, before joining FHH in 2018, overseeing more than 2,500 people and businesses spanning over 80 countries.
Lafferty believes in the nation-building power of sports, while boosting national pride and confidence. Hence, he views supporting Filipino athletes as a means of giving back and serving the country. His focus is on helping build character and discipline in the athletes he supports, encouraging them to be role models to youth, while pursuing excellence.
“It’s not just only making it to the Olympics and later go home, but to contend and hopefully medal,” he said.
