Berjaya Corp’s Tan Sri Vincent Tan announced he will be stepping down as non-independent and non-executive chairman in a move to see more female leadership in the workplace
On March 1, in a move that made headlines across the nation, Berjaya Corp founder and major shareholder Tan Sri Vincent announced his resignation as non-independent and non-executive chairman of the conglomerate, though he will be staying on as an advisor. His son, Datuk Seri Robin Tan, has also resigned as non-independent and non-executive deputy chairman.
Read more: Faliq Nasimuddin & Chryseis Tan's epic wedding reception attended by royalty & boybands
The latest changes to the boardroom line-up have resulted in a first for Berjaya Corp—an all-female line-up of executive directors with HRH Tunku Tun Aminah Sultan Ibrahim Ismail (daughter of Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar) named as the group’s non-independent and non-executive chairman succeeding Vincent Tan.
His daughter Chryseis Tan, 34, who was previously the group’s non-executive director, has been redesignated as executive director while her sister, Nerine Tan Sheik Ping, 46, will replace Syed Ali Shahul Hameed as the group’s joint CEO. Prior to Syed Ali's appointment, Nerine served as the group's executive director.
While some have remained sceptical about whether these developments indicate a genuine step forward for the 'Berjaya Corp patriarchy', the overall reaction to the news has been positive.
See also: Budget 2023: Key highlights and what business leaders have to say
In addition to Chryseis, Nerine, and Tunku Aminah, the eight-member BCorp boardroom line-up includes Vivienne Cheng, Norlela Baharudin, Dr. Jayanti Naidu G. Danasamy, Penelope Gan Paik Ling, and Datuk Leong Kwei Chun. The latest boardroom shuffle is a significant change from the previous 14-member board, which saw nine female directors, exceeding the recommended 30 per cent female representation required by the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance for public listed companies.