Datin Mina Cheah-Foong

Datin Mina Cheah-Foong, a formidable figure in the retail industry who is the MD of The Body Shop franchise, is also a reputable advocate of a range of worthy causes, from environmental to humanitarian, as well as women’s rights.

Starting her business together with her husband Dato’ Simon Foong in 1984, Cheah-Foong grew their company into a leading regional retailer of cosmetics and personal care, establishing the largest network of stores in its segment, and spanning West Malaysia, Sabah, Cambodia and Vietnam. More stores are on the way in the next two years. Cheah-Foong also established the brand as a trendsetter, becoming the first cosmetics and personal-care brand to launch an e-commerce site in 2012.

In 2019, Cheah-Foong expanded The Body Shop’s portfolio with the Brazilian brand Natura; the following year the company was listed in Bursa Malaysia. Through the multi-million ringgit business, and in line with The Body Shop’s history of activism, she has launched numerous campaigns on behalf of social, animal-rights and environmental causes.

Cheah-Foong has protested against sex trafficking and animal testing; initiated the Kick the Bag Habit campaign in 2008 which led to a state levy on the use of plastic bags; and raised awareness on HIV/AIDS as a member of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation Board of Trustees for 12 years.

Cheah-Foong has a degree in Computational Science and Management Studies from the University of Leeds, UK. Prior to establishing The Body Shop, she worked at Hewlett-Packard Malaysia as a systems engineer.