Directors Profile

Executive Chairman
Age: 43
Gender: Male
Nationality: Malaysian

Dato’ Sri Edwin Tan Pei Seng was appointed to the Board of Paragon Globe Berhad on 27 October 2017. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and E-Commerce Management from Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. Beginning his career as Financial Executive upon graduation, he swiftly advanced to become a Financial Controller. Subsequently, he held roles as Executive Director in various private companies spanning hospitality, investment holding, property development and other sectors.

He is actively engaged in diverse development endeavors in Johor Bahru. These include the development of industrial project comprising 32 units of semi-detached factories known as Bizhub Skudai 8, as well as residential projects such as Paragon Residences and Paragon Suites, luxurious serviced apartment in Johor Bahru. Additionally, he played a role in the establishment and full commencement of Paragon Private and International School in January 2017.

Dato’ Sri Edwin Tan gained recognition as one of the 100 most influential Young Entrepreneurs in 2016. Moreoever, he was bestowed with the Young Entrepreneurs Super Model Awards 2022 by the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (“ACCCIM”). Furthermore, he was honored as the Johor Bahru Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (“JBCCCI”) Honorary Life President.

In his role as the Executive Chairman of Paragon Globe Berhad, he formulates and implements company policies, direct the Company’s strategy towards profitable growth and ensures adequate operational planning while meticulously overseeing operational and financial outcomes.

He does not hold any Directorship in other public listed companies. He attended all of the Board Meetings conducted during the financial year ended 31 March 2024.

Family relationship with any Director and/or major/substantial shareholders
He is the brother of Dato’ Sri Godwin Tan, who serve as the Group Executive Director. Both are directors and shareholders of the ultimate holding company Paragon Adventure Sdn Bhd.

Conflict of interest
There is no conflict of interest, except for the recurrent related party transactions set out in the Statement on Additional Compliance Information.

Conviction of offences within the past 5 years/public sanction or penalty, apart from potential traffic offences
None.

Group Executive Director
Age: 40
Gender: Male
Nationality: Malaysian

Dato’ Sri Godwin Tan Pei Poh was appointed to the Board of Paragon Globe Berhad on 27 October 2017. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Alliant International University, San Diego, California. Commencing his career as Management Trainee upon graduation, he steadily ascended to the role of Executive Director in various private companies.

In collaboration with his brother, Dato’ Sri Edwin Tan, he ventured into the residential development sector, overseeing projects such as Paragon Residences and Paragon Suites, luxurious serviced apartment in Johor Bahru. Additionally, he also played a role in the establishment and full commencement of Paragon Private and International School in January 2017.

Dato’ Sri Godwin Tan also actively engaged in the management of Paragon Market Place, a retail mall located in Johor Bahru. Furthermore, he successfully concluded collaborations with Selgate Healthcare Sdn Bhd for the development of healthcare business.

As the Group Executive Director, he shoulders the responsibility of overseeing the administration and strategic planning guiding the organisation’s direction. This includes managing marketing efforts, operational planning, financial planning and overall management.

He does not hold any Directorship in other public listed companies. He attended all of the Board Meetings conducted during the financial year ended 31 March 2024.

Family relationship with any Director and/or major/substantial shareholders
He is the brother of Dato’ Sri Edwin Tan, who serve as the Executive Chairman. Both are directors and shareholders of the ultimate holding company Paragon Adventure Sdn Bhd.

Conflict of interest
There is no conflict of interest, except for the recurrent related party transactions set out in the Statement on Additional Compliance Information.

Conviction of offences within the past 5 years/public sanction or penalty, apart from potential traffic offences
None.

Executive Director
Age: 57
Gender: Female
Nationality: Malaysian

Mdm. Leong Siew Foong was appointed as an Executive Director of the Company on 16 June 2022. She graduated from TAR UC with a Diploma in Commerce (Business Management) and obtained her qualifications from The Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators, U.K. in 1990 and 1992 respectively. Holding the title of Chartered Secretary with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators, U.K. (A.C.I.S.), she has been a member of MAICSA since 1994.

She has accumulated more than 33 years of working experience in secretarial industry. She commenced her career in a renowned corporate secretarial firm and has developed extensive expertise in corporate secretarial and operational management. She is responsible for developing and implementing the Group’s policies and strategies related to corporate governance and securities regulatory compliance.

She does not hold any Directorship in other public listed companies. She attended all of the Board Meetings conducted during the financial year ended 31 March 2024.

Family Relationship with any Director and/or major/substantial shareholders
None.

Conflict of interest
None.

Conviction of offences within the past 5 years/public sanction or penalty, apart from potential traffic offences
None.

Senior Independent Non-Executive Director

Age: 62
Gender: Male
Nationality: Malaysian

Mr. Tee Boon Hin was appointed to the Board of Paragon Globe Berhad on 27 October 2017. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee on 27 November 2017. Mr. Tee is also a member of Risk Management Committee and Nomination Committee of the Company.

Mr. Tee is a Chartered Accountant in Public Practice with more than 30 years of experience and is an Approved Company Auditor and an Approved Tax Agent.

He trained and qualified as Chartered Accountant in New Zealand with an international firm of accountants. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and Governance New Zealand Incorporated, a Chartered Accountant of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants and a Fellow of the Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia.

He has wide-ranging experience in the accounting and audit of manufacturing, property and construction, fabrication, hospitality, agricultural and retail sectors.

He specialises in financial modelling and management restructuring in business advisory and corporate tax planning for companies in the related field of practice for both small and medium size companies and public interest entities. He has also undertaken valuations and assessment reports for court purposes and provides litigation support services.

Mr. Tee is also a Corporate Director and exercises responsibilities for governance and risk management in the companies he serves as a Director. As a Corporate Director, he oversaw the successful completion of corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions and the implementation of risk management system in several companies in the retail, manufacturing (electronics and plastics) and agricultural sectors.

Mr. Tee Boon Hin is also actively involved in the Parents Teachers Association in the local community, having assisted in raising funds for the school and supporting charitable bodies.

He attended all of the Board Meetings conducted during the financial year ended 31 March 2024.

Family Relationship with any Director and/or major/substantial shareholders
None.

Conflict of interest
None.

Conviction of offences within the past 5 years/public sanction or penalty, apart from potential traffic offences
None.

Independent Non-Executive Director

Age: 69
Gender: Male
Nationality: Malaysian

Dato’ Haji Ismail Bin Karim was appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company on 27 November 2017. He was further entrusted with the responsibilities of Chairman of the Nomination Committee and membership in the Audit Committee, Risk Management Committee and Remuneration Committee.

Dato’ Ismail graduated from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia with a Diploma in Education and Bachelor of Arts with Honours (History). He has held numerous pivotal positions in governmental agencies, amassing extensive experience across various sectors, including the Johor Land Office, Johor State Economic Planning Unit, Johor State Secretary Office and Johor State Islamic Religious Department. With over 35 years of dedicated service, he concluded his tenure in the Johor Civil Service as Johor State Secretary on 31 December 2016.

Beyond his public service roles, he serves as President of the Johor State Football Association and Treasurer of Football Association Malaysia. Additionally, he holds a position on the Board of Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation.

Currently, he serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director on the Board of Directors of Dialog Group Berhad. Furthermore, he was appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director of BCB Berhad on 15 July 2022 and sits on the Board of Directors of UTM Holdings Sdn Bhd on 1 July 2023.

He attended all of the Board Meetings conducted during the financial year ended 31 March 2024.

Family Relationship with any Director and/or major/substantial shareholders
None.

Conflict of interest
Please refer to page 13 of the Annual Report.

Conviction of offences within the past 5 years/public sanction or penalty, apart from potential traffic offences
None.

Independent Non-Executive Director

Age: 69
Gender: Male
Nationality: Malaysian

Qualifications:

Tan Sri Datuk Wira Dr. Hj. Mohd Shukor Bin Hj. Mahfar was appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company on 27 November 2017. He was further entrusted with the position of Chairman of the Risk Management Committee and membership in the Audit Committee.

His educational background includes a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Malaya, a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science from Malaysia University of Technology, and Master of Taxation and Doctor of Public Administration from Golden Gate University, United State of America. He has also been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Management from UNITEN and Asia Metropolitan University and hold the title of Adjunct Professor in various universities.

He started his career as a Bank Officer in 1978; a year later he took a leap to work with the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM) as Assessment Officer. He was then rose through the ranks in IRBM, being appointed Deputy CEO of Compliance, Deputy CEO of Operations, and CEO in January 2011 until his retirement in December 2016.

Commencing his career as a Bank Officer in 1978; he swiftly transitioned to the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (“IRBM”) a year later as an Assessment Officer. Rising through the ranks, he held esteemed positions within IRBM, including Deputy Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of Compliance, Deputy CEO of Operations, and ultimately serving as CEO from January 2011 until his retirement in December 2016.

Throughout his illustrative career, he has garnered numerous accolades and awards, including being elected President of the Malaysian Association of Statutory Bodies and Chairman of The Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrations (CATA). Notably, he was honored the CEO of the Year 2015 by The European Emerging Markets Awards and received the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award-Outstanding Contribution in Shaping People by the Asia HRD Award.

With extensive experience spanning taxation and management, acquired during his tenure with IRBM, he currently leads his own Tax and Management firm, MSM Management Advisory. He also holds key positions in various organisations, such as Chairman of McMillan Woods National Tax Firm, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Universiti Utara Malaysia, an Advisor to Century Software (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and a Board of Trustee at Yayasan Tenaga Nasional. Additionally, he has been appointed as a Board of Director of the IRMB, effective from 1 August 2021.

Currently, he serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director on the Board of Directors of Censof Holdings Berhad and Minda Global Berhad. Furthermore, in April 2023, he was appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Ann Joo Resources Berhad.

He attended all of the Board Meetings conducted during the financial year ended 31 March 2024.

Family Relationship with any Director and/or major/substantial shareholders
None.

Conflict of interest
None.

Conviction of offences within the past 5 years/public sanction or penalty, apart from potential traffic offences
None.

Non-Independent Non-Executive Director

Age: 44
Gender : Male
Nationality : Malaysian

Dato’ Jeffrey Lai Jiun Jye was appointed as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company on 1 February 2019. He was further entrusted with membership in the Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee.

Dato’ Jeffrey Lai graduated from Lincoln University, New Zealand with a Bachelor of Commerce and Management. Upon graduation in 2000, he took on the role of Director at JB Paper Carton Sdn Bhd and JBP Packaging and Hardware Enterprise.

Since 2014, Dato’ Jeffrey Lai has served as the Executive Director of Kuopacific Malaysia Sdn Bhd. The company’s portfolio encompasses M&E Engineering, ELV Solutions, ICT Solutions, Data Center Solution, Education, Property Investment and Development, Retail Mall Management, Medical, F&B, Waste Management and Agriculture.

Moreover, he holds the positions of Director and CEO at Paragon Private and International School in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The school was honored for The Best Performance in a newly established school by Lang International Corporate Titan Awards in 2018. Additionally, the school received two prestigious awards in the Parents’ Choice Awards 2023 for Best Private School in Johor (National Curriculum) and Best International School in Johor (Cambridge Curriculum).

In the preschool sector, he is the Managing Director of MindChamps Preschool Malaysia, which has proudly received the BabyTalk Mama Papa Reader’s Choice Award for three consecutive years. Furthermore, it has been recognised as the Best Kindergarten Center and Best Preschool Programme by the Parent’s Choice Awards from Parenthood Magazine Malaysia for two consecutive years. Dato’ Jeffrey Lai was also awarded the Best Intelligent Figures Brands Award 2021 (Top15) by China Press and National Consumer Action Council (MTPN).

Furthering his engagements, Dato’ Jeffrey Lai was appointed as an Executive Director of Cabnet Holdings Berhad (“CHB”) on 3 September 2019. Subsequently, he assumed the role of CEO of CHB on 1 June 2022.

Dato’ Jeffrey Lai is actively involved with the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (“ACCCIM”) and held various positions:

1. Vice Chairman of Young Entrepreneurs Committee, the ACCCIM, 2021-2024
2. President, Johor Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (“JACCCI”), 2024-2027
3. President Johor Bahru Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (“JBCCCI”), 2024-2026

He attended all of the Board Meetings conducted during the financial year ended 31 March 2024.

Family Relationship with any Director and/or major/substantial shareholders
None.

Conflict of interest
Please refer to page 13 of the Annual Report.

Conviction of offences within the past 5 years/public sanction or penalty, apart from potential traffic offences
None.