Zóbel attended Ladycross School for his preparatory studies and graduated from Harvard College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1982. He also completed a Certificate in International Management at INSEAD in France.

Zóbel served as chairman of Ayala Land, Inc., Manila Water Company, Inc., AC International Finance Ltd., Ayala International Pte Ltd., Ayala DBS Holdings, Inc., Alabang Commercial Corporation, AC Energy Holdings, Inc., and Hero Foundation, Inc; co-chairman of the Ayala Foundation, Inc.; co-vice chairman of Mermac, Inc.; director of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, Globe Telecom, Integrated Micro-Electronics, Inc. (IMI), LiveIt Investments, Ltd., Asiacom Philippines, Inc., AG Holdings Limited, Ayala International Holdings Limited, AI North America, Inc., Vesta Property Holdings Inc., Honda Cars Philippines, Inc., Isuzu Philippines Corporation, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., and Manila Peninsula.

He sits on the boards of various international and local business and socio-civic organizations:

International edit

• Chairman, Habitat for Humanity Asia-Pacific Capital Campaign Steering Committee
• Vice Chairman, Habitat for Humanity International
• Member, The Asia Society
• Member, World Economic Forum
• Member, INSEAD East Asia Council
• Member, World Presidents' Organization

Local edit

• Chairman, HERO Foundation, Inc.
• Trustee, Caritas Manila
• Trustee, Pilipinas Shell Foundation
• Trustee, Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig Advisory Board
• Trustee, National Museum of the Philippines

Zóbel is married to Catherine Silverio, daughter of former PBA coach Dante Silverio. They have four children.

• Philippine Legion of Honor, Rank of Grand Commander (June 29, 2010).

• Ayala Corporation