She began her career at Cosway in 1999. More than two decades later, Nerine Tan Sheik Ping is leading Berjaya Corporation and has earned a place among Asia’s most powerful businesswomen.
For many Malaysians, the Berjaya name is closely associated with its founder, Tan Sri Vincent Tan. Today, his daughter Nerine holds a central role in overseeing the businesses he built.
In February 2026, she became Berjaya Corporation’s sole chief executive officer, following the retirement of fellow joint CEO Vivienne Cheng. In October, she ranked 91st on Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Asia 2026 list.
Those developments have brought fresh attention to a career spanning consumer products, hospitality and lottery operations. Her journey to the top of Berjaya has involved years of sales, marketing and business development responsibilities across the group.
Nerine Tan’s Early Career
She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Management from the London School of Economics in the United Kingdom.
Her working career began at Cosway in January 1999, where she served as a business development manager until September 2002.
Her early responsibilities also extended into hospitality. She was appointed vice-president in the marketing division of Berjaya Resort Management in January 1999 and later served as an executive director of Berjaya Hotels & Resorts (Singapore) from January 2005 to April 2009.
These roles exposed her to different parts of the group, giving her experience across consumer products and hospitality before she took on wider leadership responsibilities.
Building Her Career At Sports Toto
A significant chapter began in February 2007, when Nerine was appointed general manager of sales and marketing at Sports Toto Malaysia.
She was promoted to executive director of the operating company in April 2010. Her responsibilities included overseeing sales and marketing activities and dealing with government authorities.
The lottery business brought its own demands. Operators have to manage regulatory requirements, competition from illegal gaming and disruptions that can affect their sales networks.
Berjaya’s leadership profile highlights Nerine’s work steering lottery operations through competition from illegal gaming and the difficult Covid-19 period.
Today, she also serves as CEO of Sports Toto Berhad, alongside her leadership role at Berjaya Corporation. Her experience across these businesses forms part of a career that now spans more than 25 years.
Nerine Becomes Berjaya Corporation’s Sole CEO In 2026
She became co-CEO of Berjaya Corporation in March 2023, sharing the position with Vivienne Cheng.
On 5 February 2026, the group announced her redesignation as CEO following Cheng’s retirement. The change made her the sole holder of the executive position.
The appointment placed her at the helm of a diversified group with four core business segments: retail, hospitality, property and services.
That breadth makes the role different from managing a single brand or operating company. Decisions have to account for businesses with different customers, market conditions and investment needs.
Berjaya’s current leadership profile describes her focus as strengthening core operations and improving business resilience across the group. Her experience in sales, operations and business development now feeds into a much broader corporate responsibility.
Fortune Recognition Puts Nerine In The Regional Spotlight
Nerine reached another milestone in October 2026, when she was named to Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Asia list at No. 91.
She was one of five Malaysian businesswomen featured in the ranking, alongside UOB Malaysia CEO Datuk Ng Wei Wei, Sunway executive deputy chairperson Datin Paduka Sarena Cheah, Affin Bank group chief financial officer Joanne Rodrigues and Public Bank chief financial officer Yik Sook Ling.
The recognition came in the same year that Nerine assumed sole leadership of Berjaya Corp.
Coverage of the ranking highlighted her role in the group’s transformation, including efforts to streamline operations and strengthen its core businesses. It places attention on the work ahead as well as the position she holds.
The Next Chapter For Nerine At Berjaya
Nerine’s family connection is an important part of her story. Her father founded Berjaya, and her sister Chryseis Tan also serves as an executive director of the corporation.
Her own career can be traced through specific operating responsibilities, beginning with business development at Cosway and expanding into hospitality, Sports Toto and group leadership.
The latest chapter brings those experiences together. As Berjaya Corp’s sole CEO, she now faces the task of strengthening a diverse collection of businesses while navigating changing markets.
Her appointment and Fortune recognition have made 2026 a significant year. The next chapter will be shaped by how she leads Berjaya’s transformation and builds on the operations she now oversees.
Sources: 1 | 2 | | 3
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How Vincent Tan and Danny Tan Built a Combined Fortune of RM7 Billion
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M’sian Billionaire’s Daughter: Chryseis Tan, Serial Entrepreneur & Investor
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