THE PEAK MALAYSIA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- at IGNATIUS ONG, CEO of FIREFLY AIRLINES
"Everything we do has to have a strong sense of storytelling - some reference to the past, something that can make you smile." And the story of Rolls-Royce "inspires greatness." It's a story of untold elegance, informed by art and science in equal measure. "A Rolls-Royce is a statement of confidence; a beautiful, thoughtful, artful statement of when you arrive," Warming asserts.
Job Titles:
- Grab 's Group CEO and Co - Founder
Job Titles:
- CEO of Oettinger Davidoff
- Oettinger Davidoff CEO
It was Winston Churchill who once reflected, "Smoking cigars is like falling in love; first you are attracted by its shape, then you stay for its flavour, and you must always remember never, never to let the flame out."
As for Oettinger Davidoff, they've kept that flame alive ever since the Davidoff name first laid its foundations in Switzerland over a century ago, when Zino Davidoff opened a humble cigar shop in Geneva. Today, Davidoff Cigars are available in over 130 countries, with over 700 appointed merchant partners all over the world.
Taking a leaf out of its founders' book, the family-owned company based in Basel, Switzerland, still maintains the same pioneering spirit and a love of craftsmanship to this day. "We want to continue to surprise our customers with new innovative blends and formats while at the same time guaranteeing the highest quality and consistency," Beat Hauenstein, the CEO of Oettinger Davidoff, tells The Peak.
Keeping a finger on the pulse of market trends while adapting to customers' tastes is part of the company's approach to sustaining a sense of enthusiasm among cigar aficionados and as a way of drawing in potential customers.
Job Titles:
- CEO of Thailand 's Country Group Development, Expounds on the Rivers Burgeoning Potential.
Soneva's CFO Bruce Bromley shares why every chief financial officer should also be the chief sustainability officer in purpose-driven companies.
Caleen Caseryn Chua - mother, daughter, serial entrepreneur, F&B head honco and now social enterprise champion and yoga creator for Adidas - has not escaped the attention of onlookers from various spheres. Being featured in prominent tabloids and luxury lifestyle publications, hers is the lot of the privileged empowered woman of the 21st century, as some would attest. Being also the daughter of none other than Datuk Seri Garry Chua, himself well- known in industry circles as a serial entrepreneur trailblazing paths where others fear to tread - the apple as they say, doesn't fall far from the tree.
The past president of the Malaysian Retail Chain Association (MRCA) and current president council of MRCA was instrumental in passing over the reins of the Chakri Group of Restaurants over to Caleen who headed the F&B enterprise for a solid decade before she decided to relinquish this role to focus on her motherly duties while taking a lead role in encouraging mothers to become better versions of themselves.
Surprisingly, in person, Caleen is pleasingly petite and demure - her glowing skin bearing testimony to her healthy lifestyle incorporating a well-programmed diet incorporating stretching and meditating exercises. Trim figure in place, with an obvious glowing complexion and thick mane of black hair bunched up in a bouncy ponytail radiating wellness, her speech betrays someone who is obviously grounded with a very steady head on her shoulders.
Ever the dutiful daughter, having been summoned back from a career working as a business analyst in Australia after graduating in Finance and Marketing from The University of Melbourne for two straight years, she came back home to assume the role of CEO of Chakri Palace group of restaurants for the last 10 years which was her lot in life.
Job Titles:
- Director of Syarikat Letrik Chen Guan Sdn Bhd
- Engineering Construction & Services, Syarikat Letrik Chen Guan
Choong Pin Hoong, Director of Syarikat Letrik Chen Guan, recently hosted the second edition of Hennessy X.O's Greatness Is An Odyssey event in Kuala Lumpur where guests were invited to raise a toast to success.
As one of the exceptional young entrepreneurs and business leaders chosen by Hennessy X.O, Choong Pin Hoong, Director of Syarikat Letrik Chen Guan Sdn Bhd, graciously hosted the second edition of the prestigious Hennessy X.O Greatness Is An Odyssey event at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur. Choong talks to The Peak Malaysia about his aspirations, business achievements, and his profound connection with Hennessy X.O that continues to shape his entrepreneurial odyssey.
Job Titles:
- Digital Marketing, Future Shapers, Pandan Social
Daniel Woodroof's Mont Kiara office was empty when we visited one early December Monday.
The small space which houses Pandan Social - Woodroof's digital marketing consultancy - looks more like a college study room than a thriving agency. With rows of desks set in an open concept, it's impossible to distinguish which is his from his staff's if it was not for the fact that his desk was wrapped with wrapping paper.
Job Titles:
- Client Director of Beam Suntory
Daryl Haldane, the worldly private client director of Beam Suntory offers his introspective take on whisky investment amid this year's economic uncertainty.
Job Titles:
- Founder of Young and Glow
Datin Noor Kartini is the living embodiment of ‘having it all.' The founder of the Young And Glow cosmetic brand is a successful entrepreneur, a mother of ten and is still starting up new ventures in 2024. Formerly more well known as ‘Neelofa's mother', Datin Kartini has built her own name and brand and used it to springboard herself and her family to new heights.
She keeps her cards close to her chest when I ask about what new ventures she's working on, but gracefully redirects me to her other ongoing businesses, Aunty Tini Kitchen that produces their top-selling Daging Harimau Menangis and Kucate Tea, a herbal tea brand she founded in 2021.
"Inshallah we'll be launching something new this year. We're still in the planning stages and I'll tell you more about it when we get closer to launch," she says.
Her step into entrepreneurship was driven as much by her personal experiences as they were by her family's growing fame. With her daughter already deeply successful in the fashion industry with her Naelofar brand of hijabs, Datin Kartini's decision to venture into the cosmetic industry came naturally to her.
"You will face a lot of competition, and even if you think you have the best product in the market, there will always be hundreds, if not thousands of others who are going to have a product as good as yours; the one thing that can differentiate your product is you."
"Also don't be afraid to take risks," she adds. "Business is competitive, and you have to be brave to be able to take on your competitors, so don't be afraid. And don't be quick to give up, be strong and find a way to keep moving forward."
Dato Julie is enjoying the sweet smell of success with the official opening of her 19th Maison Berger at Pavilion Bukit Damansara.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director of Joland Group
Dato' Sri Edwin Tan Pei Seng, Managing Director of Joland Group, recently hosted the Hennessy X.O's Greatness is an Odyssey event in Johor Bahru. A celebration of the exceptional leadership amongst the younger generation of entrepreneurs from Malaysia, the event is the first of five that will take place across the country.
Job Titles:
- Group Managing Director of Ireka Corporation
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder of the Fugee School
- Education, Fugee School
Deborah Henry is no stranger to overcoming cynicism. Having spent fifteen years moving people past their own cynicism around child refugee education, you could say she's quite an expert at it. But first, she had to overcome her own.
"I started this in my twenties with some university friends, and we weren't sure if it was going to last very long," she candidly admits on the founding of Fugee School and its parent non- profit organisation Fugee in 2009. "We knew education is important, so we wanted to do it right, but I was also juggling many other parts of my career. So, I went through phases."
Although she still does the occasional corporate emceeing, and hosting and even has a new podcast coming out, within a few years of the organisation's founding Deborah became more involved and has seen Fugee School becoming a major player in their education space.
"In the past five years, we've been looking at growth, looking into sustainability, and scalability," she says, "Yes, the nonprofit world is different from for-profit businesses, but you still have to have a very business mindset. It's easy to just think you're doing good, and pat yourself on the back, but how are you measuring your impact? How do you be sustainable? These things have to be in the picture," she says.
These changes as Deborah describes included the digitising of whole lessons and syllabuses, online classes and using other tools to maintain a meaningful and holistic education system.
"Recruiting is hard," said the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who likened it to finding a needle in a haystack.
"You can't know enough in a one-hour interview. So, in the end, it's ultimately based on your gut."
Job's mantra sums up what Derek Toh brought into the established market of recruitment platforms in Malaysia when he jumped headfirst in 2016 to start his company Hiredly.
It is an understatement to say that hiring is important for a company's success. In the intricate web of business operations, the individuals chosen to join the ranks of an organisation are not merely cogs in the machine, but rather the architects of its destiny. Each hire brings with them a unique blend of skills, experiences, and perspectives, enriching the collective tapestry of the company's culture and capabilities.
"They graduated from university and the focus for them is looking for the right company to work in," Derek said.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer of Cosway Group
Dr Alice Lee's arrival at our photoshoot shifts the tone in the room; appearing just after her team of staff, you anticipate the advent of someone important. But as she walks around cheerfully greeting everyone individually, it becomes clear that while the Chief Executive Officer of Cosway Group is indeed important, she is not self-important.
Cheerful, thoughtful, and honest, the clinical geneticist who became the CEO of the Malaysian retail giant in 2018 shows without pretension why the switch into a corporate role in the 45-year-old company wasn't so outrageous - she's knowledgeable, passionate, and to say driven would be underselling it, because you get the impression that Dr Alice never runs out of energy.
"I have no idea where the start of the year has gone," she laughs "But this time of the year is the peak season for us in retail. From Christmas to the Lunar New Year and then Hari Raya coming, we all have to bring our A-game in order to meet what the market demands."
Those demands are ever-changing. As retailers come to grips with post-pandemic normalisation, inflation, economic stagnation, and an abundance of competition, Dr Alice admits that even with four hundred stores nationwide, their job has never been tougher.
Past, present or future, it seems that Dr Alice Lee is always exactly where she's supposed to be, ready to dive right in and accomplish something important.
She also credits her past experience with one of her most useful personal traits: her thick skin.
"When you're in medical school doing your MD and PhD, and you're the only foreigner in the entire batch, you get a lot of naysayers. I wouldn't call it discrimination because you're already at the level where you're with the crème de la crème, so you're not that great anymore. Then you deal with experienced scientists and doctors who will really bring you back to earth."
"So, I learned a lot from that environment, and when giving up is not an option, you learn to develop thick skin, and a strong heart, and you keep going. That's why I'm always open to try anything; I always tell my team ‘Just try, whether it works or not, just go ahead and try.'"
With her focus on the future of the company, her goal is the same as it has always been: "I want Cosway to be a household name for many years to come."
Job Titles:
- CEO of Karex Bhd and EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 Malaysia
- Karex Bhd and EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 Malaysia, Means Business about Protection. As the World ™S Largest Manufacturer of Condoms, Though, It ™S Just the.
- the Pleasure Principle
A sense of humour is a prerequisite if you ™re in Goh Miah Kiat ™s line of work. Really, it ™s unavoidable. As CEO of Karex Bhd " the world ™s largest manufacturer of condoms, producing around four billion prophylactics per year " there are bound to be a few awkward giggles when it comes to the nature of his company ™s operations.
œOne in every five or six condoms is a product manufactured by our company, so I always say we ™ve touched a vast number of people in the most intimate way you can imagine! he laughs gently. Jokes aside, however, he ™s utterly serious about the significance of Karex ™s contribution to the world (and its population): œWhat you have on the table is fun and pleasurable, but it ™s also a product that saves lives.
Credit: Grand Cru or Premier Cru bottles are fitted with technology that authenticates the wine. (Photo: Laurent Ponsot)
We speak to Oettinger Davidoff CEO, Beat Hauenstein about what makes cigar connoisseurs drawn towards the Swiss company.
The managing director of Champagne Taittinger shares upcoming plans including a revamped visitor centre experience and launching a new English sparkling wine label.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer of Mobilus
- Group CEO of Eccaz Sdn Bhd and Chairperson of Mobilus Sdn Bhd on How Urban Transportation Is Evolving to Create Sustainable Cities in Malaysia.
- Group CEO, Director of Eccaz Sdn Bhd and Chairperson of Mobilus Sdn Bhd
Starting a new company can be both a daunting and thrilling venture. For Monica Lai, who holds the titles of Group's Chief Executive Officer, Director of Eccaz Sdn Bhd, and Chairperson of Mobilus Sdn Bhd, this prospect is met with a unique perspective shaped by her extensive 25 years of experience in the property development field, an experience that was honed during her tenure at the helm of Ireka Corporation Berhad.
It's easy to assume that Monica might be unfazed by the challenges ahead of her, but even with her wealth of experience, Monica admits to feeling a little intimidated on her new journey.
In the whirlwind of challenges brought on by the pandemic in mid-2021 at Ireka, Monica and her father, Datuk Lai Siew Wah, decided to embark on a new venture. "Exiting Ireka was painful and the most difficult decision I had to make, as the company was founded by my father's blood, sweat, and tears over 50 years ago," says Monica. "It was his legacy, as well as my late brother's. But the time had come to cede to someone who promised us that they could give Ireka and its employees a better future."
Encouraged by her father's unwavering support, Monica decided the time was right to take on the challenge of starting Eccaz.
Working closely with Chan Chi Kian, the Chief Executive Officer of Mobilus, Monica is dedicated to enhancing human interactions and fostering community bonds. "Sustainable and resilient cities are cities where its people can work, live and play in a productive, healthy and wholesome manner," she stresses. "Where we work, live and play and how we travel and connect between these places play an important part in determining how productive, healthy and wholesome our lives are."
Under her leadership, Eccaz has transcended the conventional boundaries of property development, evolving into a multifaceted entity that goes beyond the construction of physical spaces.
Take, for example, Eccaz's property development arm, exemplified by TuJu Residences @ Duta North, which prioritises community-centric design and sustainable materials. "We have incorporated many elements relevant to today's communities, such as providing more landscaped open spaces and communal areas, multi-generation living spaces, configurable units and more," she says while stressing the importance of direct community feedback to ensure the projects meet homeowners' needs.
Drawing from her background in Accountancy and Economics at City University, London, Monica believes her knack for entrepreneurship and management style was influenced by her educational roots. When asked about what advice she would give her younger self, Monica emphasised the importance of continuous learning and the importance of working with others. "Teamwork is vitally important to me. Working with a team of people who will always have each other's backs to achieve common goals is critical."
Beyond managing the diverse responsibilities required in her role, Monica explains how time management is a big part of her day-to-day life. "Prioritising well and making time for strategies, clients, business partners, board members, employees, and shareholders have been one of my biggest challenges."
Monica Lai, Group CEO of Eccaz Sdn Bhd and Chairperson of Mobilus Sdn Bhd on how urban transportation is evolving to create sustainable cities in Malaysia.
Job Titles:
- Group CEO of TMC Life Sciences and CEO of Thomson Hospitals
"It impacts people's lives," says Nadiah. "The outcome of your work is very immediate; you're literally saving lives and that hasn't been clearer than the last few years during Covid. During the pandemic, we had to deal with logistics, financing, R&D and deal with the constantly changing environment. We started off thinking it was droplets, and then we learned and realised it was airborne. So, it's things like that that make it challenging and interesting."
My sit down with Nadiah Wan, Group CEO of TMC Life Sciences (TMCLS) and CEO of Thomson Hospitals gained me much insight of herself, her previous achievements and the healthcare industry in Malaysia, and the new situation* didn't really affect our ability to reach those objectives.
Prior to TMC Life Sciences (TMCLS), the Harvard graduate started her career at The Boston Consulting Group before earning her Masters in Public Health Nutrition and joining Sunway Group. She worked her way up to the position of chief operating officer for clinical services at Sunway Medical Centre, then joined Thomson Hospitals in 2017 and assumed the role of CEO of the group in 2019.
"I didn't really plan any of that," she admits after I rattle off her stellar CV. "I had an interest in biology and knew I wanted to do something in the medical field, but it all just came together. Sometimes when you start something, and the more you do, things just fall into place."
If it is to be believed that every event in one ™s life happens in a way that all the dots connect to the present moment, then Ng Keng Hooi ™s many life experiences have led him right where he is supposed to be. Making corporate history as the first Malaysian to helm a global financial services organisation " the second largest in the world " Ng cuts a modest yet firm figure as the new Group CEO at AIA, taking up the reins from Mark Tucker with a quiet knowledge and assuredness.
Tucker, who relinquished his position at AIA last month, led the company from its IPO in 2010 and is largely credited for the new business growth of the company from USD667 million from that year to USD2,750 million last month. His decision to retire from AIA and, subsequently, join HSBC as Chairman, left many with the assumption that Ng had big shoes to fill, with AIA shares dropping by 3.3 per cent in Hong Kong at the time of the announcement (market confidence has since risen sharply with the share price rebounding 13 per cent shortly before Ng officially assumed the leadership role on 1 June).
The first Malaysian to helm a leading global insurer talks to Mindy Teh about taking up the reins and moving the company forward.
Still, Koh is a realist in navigating the business world, explaining that it sometimes requires the company to operate within ‘grey areas' - always legally, but with the agility to adapt to diverse and changing environments. "This adaptability is crucial, especially when implementing standards from one context (like Singapore's) in another country, which may not always be practical."
Job Titles:
- Projects Director of Serai Group
As the projects Director of Serai Group, Qistina Taff is always on the go. Here, she tells us why safety remains a priority whether at work or at home.
Job Titles:
- President of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
This year marks an exciting time for Rosewood Hotels & Resort which is set to expand its presence in key markets including Qatar, Japan, Austria and the Netherlands. At the helm of the hospitality group is Radha Arora, the president of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, an industry veteran with over 30 years of luxury hospitality leadership. Radha Arora sits down with The Peak to share his personal insights into the world of hospitality and his thoughts on what makes the Rosewood brand such a hit with holidaymakers.
Job Titles:
- Singapore Artist
- Singaporean Artist
Challenging our perceptions of the environment, Singaporean artist Robert Zhao Renhui urges us to reconsider and celebrate the overlooked intricacies that unfold within the natural world.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Founder
- CEO and Founder of Homeez. ( Photo
Lim's reno-tech platform - which styles itself as the first of its kind in Singapore - works like this: You upload a floor plan of your residence, select the look you're going for, and pick out a mood board for good measure before Homeez's proprietary "AI design tool" (dubbed DesignNow) churns out a look and quotation for you within seconds.
"Homeowners can decide which walls they want to hack, what type of finishes they want to overlay their floors and walls with, which windows to replace, and so on," Lim explains. "As this all translates into a renovation cost, at the end of the session, a quote will be generated summarising how much it would cost - and these are all direct costs with no markups."
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Berjaya Corporation
Founder of WJ & Co., Wen Yeunh leads his days with simplicity and purpose. Here, he shares a glimpse into a day in his life running an artisanal menswear boutique.
CEO Wilhelm Schmid explains why bucking trends has worked so well for the historic German watchmaker.
Inspired by minimalistic designs Yinn Ooi, the founder behind Gung Jewellery, wants to craft jewellery that can be worn for every occasion as a form of self-expression. In a conversation with The Peak, Yinn shares the pleasures and hurdles of managing an independent jewellery business. "Crafting jewellery is truly a labour of love," she notes. "Witnessing our pieces become entwined with someone's personal journey adds an extra layer of fulfilment."
Since its inception in 2017, Gung Jewellery has been synonymous with timeless elegance and accessibility, embodying the founder's passion for crafting pieces that resonate with the wearer's uniqueness. Each piece is meticulously designed to capture the imagination and evoke a sense of wonder.
The name "Gung" derives from the Mandarin word "宫" and the Korean word "궁", both translating to ‘Palace'. Why palace, you might ask? Well, historically, jewellery was reserved for royalty, those who resided in palaces. However, our mission is to democratise jewellery, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their background.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Co - Founder
- CEO and Co - Founder of Maison ROCOCO
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Getha