Vinod wins corporate leader award

KUALA LUMPUR: Grant Thornton Malaysia yesterday officially released its 2008 International Business Report (IBR) and presented its inaugural Corporate Leader of the Year award to Datuk Vinod B. Sekhar, the founder of Petra Group and Sekhar Foundation.

“We have created an annual Corporate Leader of the Year award to acknowledge a special individual who has shown outstanding contribution and long-term dedication to corporate social responsibility,'' managing partner Datuk N.K. Jasani said at the ceremony yesterday.

As part of the award, Grant Thornton has committed to promote and support a charity of the winner's choice through its global network in over of 100 countries.

This year, the Foundation of Anthropological Research and Environmental Studies - chaired by Hollywood actor Mel Gibson - was chosen as the recipient of Grant Thornton support.

Minister of International Trade and Industry Malaysia Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin(2nd left) presents the leader award to the winner Datuk Vinod Sekhar(right) at KL Hilton Hotel. With them are Mel Gibson(2nd right) and Grant Thornton managing partner Datuk N.K.Jasani(left).

As the only survey of its kind, the IBR examines the attitudes, plans and trends of 7,800 businesses in 34 countries.