The EY Entrepreneur of The Year Awards gala made a return to the Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur recently. As in preceding years, Malaysia’s leading entrepreneurs, corporate leaders and partners of EY gathered to toast the Nation’s best and brightest as the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 Malaysia was revealed recently. The gala, officiated by Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan, Second Minister of International Trade and Industry served as a platform to recognise the country’s most successful entrepreneurs for their vision, courage and leadership in building and growing successful businesses. So, without further ado, here are this year’s winners:
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2017 Malaysia
Chiau Haw Choon
Group Managing Director, Chin Hin Group.
I’ve been in this business for 10 years and I’m the third generation to run this company. I’ve helped move the business further upstream, diversifying from distributing building materials to manufacturing them. It was a more capitalintensive move – as a trader, you only need working capital; as a manufacturer, you need greater funding for, say, setting up factories.
The move also requires better talent – based in Alor Setar, it was difficult attracting the right people, which was why we moved to Kuala Lumpur. Finally, it’s a decision that needed the support of the family; without them, regardless of whatever brilliant ideas you might have, you’re not going to be able to implement anything. This is a matter of leadership: if you’re able to convince them to follow your lead, then you’re already on the road to success.
I admit I am lucky to have an existing family business to go into. Not many people have this opportunity. I’m grateful for the platform, but taking the business to another level still requires great determination and effort. I feel that I have a great job. I have the opportunity to empower the construction industry as well as the people who work with us – creating value for the industry and sharing that with our employees.
Chiau Haw Choon is also the EY Emerging Entrepreneur Of The Year 2017 Malaysia.
