KUALA LUMPUR: Berjaya Corporation Bhd chief executive officer Nerine Tan Sheik Ping has been named among 20 female business leaders in Forbes Asia's Power Businesswomen 2026 list.
Tan, 49, is Malaysia's sole representative on the list, which recognises women entrepreneurs, corporate executives and next-generation leaders from 12 countries and territories across the Asia-Pacific region.
The daughter of Berjaya founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan, she has served as the group's sole chief executive officer since February 2026, having previously been appointed joint CEO in 2023.
According to Forbes Asia, Tan faces the challenge of turning around Berjaya's financial performance after the diversified group recorded losses for two consecutive financial years, weighed down by weakness in its retail and property development businesses.
For the financial year ended June 30, 2026, Berjaya narrowed its net loss to RM340.4mil from RM542mil a year earlier, although revenue declined 4.1% to RM9bil.
Under her leadership, the group has undertaken restructuring measures aimed at reducing debt, including the disposal of underperforming assets.
These included Berjaya Food Bhd's sale of its 50% stake in the loss-making Malaysian franchisee of bakery chain Paris Baguette in July for a nominal RM1.
Tan joined the company in 1999 after graduating from the London School of Economics with a B.Sc. in management and rotated through several divisions, gaining experience in sales, operations and strategy.
Besides leading Berjaya Corporation, she is also CEO of the group's Sports Toto lottery and gaming business.
Forbes Asia said this year's list features women driving economic transformation across industries ranging from artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and technology to retail, finance and renewable energy.
"The 2026 Forbes Asia's Power Businesswomen list spotlights a new roster of 20 trailblazing entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and next-generation family leaders," Forbes Asia editorial director Rana Wehbe Watson said.
"They are actively transforming the region's economy—from supplying critical hardware behind the AI infrastructure boom to modernizing sectors like retail and finance."
Other business leaders featured include Guangdong Dtech Technology founder Wang Xin of China, CJ Olive Young CEO Lee Sun-jung of South Korea, AS Watson group CEO Malina Ngai of Hong Kong and Berli Jucker CEO and president Thapanee Techajareonvikul of Thailand.
The complete list appears in the November 2026 issue of Forbes Asia.
