Professor Lynne Jack, speaking at the laureation of Dato’ Yeoh at the graduation ceremony for the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society at the Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside Hotel, on 3 December 2017, said: “Our honorary graduates are all individuals who have made outstanding contributions in areas of particular relevance to the University’s values and mission. Dato’ Yeoh is a hugely respected and highly successful figure in the field of construction, urban development and utilities provision.
Through his business acumen, personal endeavour and commitment to supporting community and educational development, he provides an outstanding role model for those of you graduating today.”
Dato’ Yeoh was described as a professional of huge talent and foresight who believes in developing knowledge through education so as to be able to realise one’s aspirations. He was born in 1957 and grew up in Malaysia. His father, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri (Dr) Yeoh Tiong Lay, founder of YTL Corporation, an integrated infrastructure developer, also held an honorary degree from Heriot-Watt. Dato’ Yeoh graduated from the University’s Edinburgh campus with a BSc in Building in 1981, and later attended the Advance Management Programme at Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania. His career accelerated rapidly throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and he is currently Deputy Managing Director of YTL Corporation and Executive Director of YTL Land.
Today YTL owns and manages regulated infrastructure assets and utilities worldwide, serving 10 million customers. It is known for its history of innovation and strategy, consistently providing world-class products and services throughout the globe. The property development arm of the corporation, YTL Land, which is spearheaded by Dato’ Yeoh, has garnered many local and international awards and recognition for excellence in property development and the built environment.
In 2018, the Group’s revenue increased by 10% to RM7.8 billion (£1.4 billion) for the first half of the financial year, while profit before taxation grew 12% to RM836 million (£150 million) compared to the same period in 2017. In the hotels segment, the company recently acquired Hotel Stripes in Kuala Lumpur, Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel in Australia, and three new hotels in the UK. The company also owns the Marriott, Majestic and Ritz-Carlton hotels in Kuala Lumpur, and resorts at Pangkor Laut and Tanjong Jara.
Dato’ Yeoh places a keen emphasis on sustainability as a cornerstone of his business, with a strong belief in doing good through sound business practices, and bringing about positive change to the communities that he builds. He is also a member of the UK’s Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the world’s largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership.
The YTL Foundation currently offers scholarships, particularly in engineering and construction, to deserving Malaysian students who wish to pursue their undergraduate degrees at Heriot-Watt’s Putrajaya campus, including the opportunity to study abroad at the UK campus.
At the ceremony, Professor Jack said, “Graduating students, I’m sure you will agree that Dato’ Yeoh is, without doubt, one of the sector’s leading developers, and that he provides an excellent role model for you. His success is inspirational, his knowledge of the sector enviable, and his focus on development through education exceptional.”
Dato’ Yeoh was joined at the Malaysia ceremony by his wife and children.