Brian Cu is leaving Grab Philippines after 7 years of leading the ride-hailing firm.

In a video posted on Facebook on Thursday, July 16, Cu announced that he will leave the firm to pursue other entrepreneurial interests and to make more time for his family.

Cu will step down on August 14.

“I decided to pursue other business interests and focus on my family, sa aking mga anak na lumalaki na (my children who are growing up). It’s with a heavy heart that I have to tell you all that I decided to leave Grab,” Cu said.

Grab managing director for operations Russel Cohen said transport head Ronald Roda will continue to lead Philippine operations, while lawyer Nicka Hosaka remains as spokesperson.

“We send our heartfelt thanks to Brian for managing the Grab Philippines business for the past few years, where he’s grown the business from a fledgling startup to where it is today,” Cohen said.

It is still unknown whether Grab will appoint a new country president.

Cu gave assurances to Grab drivers and merchants that the current leadership will continue to assist them.

“Susuportahan po namin kayo sa inyong mga kabuhayan at tuloy-tuloy ang aming pag-coordinate sa inyo para mag-grow kayo with the Grab platform,” he said.

(We will continue to support your livelihood and coordinate with you to help with your growth within the Grab platform.)

Grab entered the Philippine market in 2013 as GrabTaxi – the first foreign destination for the Singapore-based start-up.

Under Cu’s watch, Grab Philippines expanded to 9 key cities around the country after its Metro Manila launch. The firm also became the dominant ride-hailing company in the country, after Grab’s acquisition of Uber’s Southeast Asia operations.

Before Grab, Cu had co-founded Indonesian ride-hailing firm Go-Jek and fashion e-retailer Zalora Philippines. – Rappler.com