Datuk Ruben Gnanalingam

Helming Malaysia’s leading logistics and port operations conglomerate is group executive chairman and managing director, Datuk Ruben Emir Gnanalingam. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024, Westports Holdings has been a remarkable freight force with its success as a cargo port operations and connectivity to over 350 ports worldwide. The public-listed company was included in the MSCI before becoming a part of the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI and then the FTSE4Good Bursa Index.

Having worked through the ranks before taking the reins at Westports from his founder father, Ruben is credited for steering the company through many ambitious expansions and weathering the business through the pandemic.

In September 2024, the company broke ground on its Westports 2 Container Terminal Expansion, expanding operations from CT10 to CT17 and adding an additional 4.8km of quay.

Ruben shares with Tatler: “The expansion of Westports to sign a concession to double its capacity is our main focus now. The new terminals are planned to also be sustainable and automated where logical.”

Outside of work, Ruben is a devoted sports enthusiast. He is the owner and vice-chairman of Queens Park Rangers Football Club (QPRFC), which participates in the English Football League (EFL). He is also a founder and board member of the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), which is a member of the US Major League Soccer (MLS). He also serves as an executive council member of the Football Association of Selangor (FAS).