Mr. Vincent Tan
Written on 09:29 by Track Soft
Key Facts
Article Published : 2009, Thebrandlaureate.
Entrepreneur : Berjaya Corporation Berhad.
Consumer Goods Field : Fast Food Franchise, Retail Store, Super Market, Etc.
Article
The BrandLaureate Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan
Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan, 58, started his business from humble beginnings in 1971. Through his entrepreneurial skills and leadership, and a series of acquisitions and organic growth, he transformed a steel company which he acquired a major controlling stake in 1984 into Berjaya Corporation Berhad, a diversified conglomerate in Malaysia listed on Bursa Malaysia.
A Pioneering Entrepreneur
Tan Sri Vincent is a pioneer in many innovative business sectors in Malaysia and has always worked towards providing new experiences to Malaysians. In the early 1980s, he brought in the McDonald’s franchise business into Malaysia. Besides businesses held through the Berjaya Corporation group of companies, Tan Sri Vincent is involved through other holdings in Internet-related businesses, water utilities, broadcasting and telecommunications.
The Berjaya Group is currently involved in diverse businesses such as consumer marketing, multi-level direct selling, hotels and resorts, recreational development, property investment and development, financial services, food and beverage, media, education, motor vehicle distribution, gaming and lottery management, and the environmental sanitary landfill business.
Among Tan Sri Vincent’s most notable accomplishments is the acquisition of Cosway Malaysia Sdn Bhd in October 1993, a very successful direct selling marketing company in Malaysia. He later introduced eCosway.com in 2001, an online business portal to tap into the international market.
In the food and beverage industry, Tan Sri Vincent is the master franchise holder for Kenny Rogers Roasters’ restaurants worldwide with over 300 restaurants. In Malaysia, he is the franchise holder for Starbucks Coffee since 1998, Wendy’s restaurants since 2007 and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts restaurants since 2008. He is also the franchise holder for Papa John’s Pizza restaurants in Malaysia since 2008 and granted the first right of refusal for the potential expansion of the business to Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and The Philippines. Tan Sri Vincent is also the franchise holder for Borders Bookstore in Malaysia since 2005.
In property development and investment, the Berjaya Group entered into several joint ventures in countries like Vietnam, China, South Korea and Thailand to undertake various property related developments, infrastructure and hotel and resort projects. The Group owns and operates a chain of 18 four- and five-star hotels in cities and tropical island resorts in Malaysia and abroad, offering over 4,000 rooms.
In 2008, Berjaya University College of Hospitality, Malaysia’s first university college specializing in Hospitality, Tourism and Services education opened in Berjaya Times Square Kuala Lumpur. He also owns the SUN newspaper since 1993, the third national English daily and Malaysia’s first and only free national newspaper.
Better Malaysia Foundation
Tan Sri Vincent is more than just being a successful businessman, he is also a notable philanthropist. He has contributed substantial sums in support of various social and community projects, partnering with non-profit organizations and charitable institutions, geared to help the community achieve a better quality of life.
Preferred to keep a low personal profile, Tan Sri Vincent spearheads corporate involvement in numerous noble causes where millions of ringgit have been donated annually, both privately and through the Berjaya Group of Companies.
Tan Sri Vincent has also set up a personal foundation, the Better Malaysia Foundation (formerly known as VTCY Foundation) in 1997, to provide aid and relief for medical and charitable purposes. He also sponsors the Sathya Sai Medical and Dental Clinic at Jalan Klang Lama, Kuala Lumpur, which offers free medical services to the underprivileged community and a feeding programme which provides for the poor and needy in the Klang Valley. In addition to that, he is sponsoring a clinic in Jalan Klang Lama known as OKR Acupuncture Centre that offers acupuncture treatment for free.
-The BrandLaureate
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