CEO MONTHLY / Global CEO Excellence Awards 2025 19 Leading Property Development CEO 2025 (Malaysia): Paul Tan “Real estate is more than numbers – it’s narrative. It tells the story of how we choose to live, care, and build. At Senja Aman, we’re telling a story we believe will last.” Bringing over three decades of international real estate experience to the table – spanning investment, development, and asset management throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia – Paul Tan’s previous roles include serving as the MD of CapitaLand UK, where he built a portfolio of mixeduse, high-yield developments to the tune of more than USD 2 billion. Similarly, founding Chrysalis in 2008, Paul ended up managing assets totalling over USD 3 billion across integrated mixed-use ventures and a logistics platform. In 2013, Paul returned to Malaysia under the TalentCorp Returning Expert Programme, thrilled with an opportunity to be able to contribute to the progress of the country he had always called home. Paul explained: “It wasn’t just about coming home – it was about contributing to the nation’s next chapter.” This renewed sense of purpose led him to his present role at the Senja Aman Group, where he draws on the insights of a diverse career to make decisions with scale, resilience, and purpose. With Paul at the helm, the Group has executed some impressive initiatives in recent years, including the Angsana Teluk Bahang luxury wellness resort in Penang, which is managed by the Banyan Group and the pioneering medical specialist centre operated by the Institute of Wellness and Aesthetic Medicine, again in Penang. Both projects are helping position this Malaysian state as a desirable tourist destination, boosting the local economy. This is a common theme across every one of the Group’s projects, as they are all grounded in the company’s ethos of holistic value creation. The first step of this is to work closely with stakeholders to outline the commercial, social, and environmental factors of a project. For example, in the case of the Angsana development mentioned above, Paul and the team worked with everyone from design experts to members of the local community to ensure the project was aligned with everyone’s needs – from conception to completion. Ultimately, this feeds into the group’s long-term strategy, which Paul described as “sustainable placemaking”. Elaborating on this, he told us: “We pursue opportunities where design, wellness, and nature converge, underpinned by measurable ESG impact. Our success hinges on intelligent capital allocation, rigorous governance, and a culture of innovation.” Given real estate is evolving from being an asset to an entire ecosystem, the Group is looking to take advantage and become part of this new chapter. For Paul, key to this is ensuring the business is a force for good, a philosophy that also underpins his approach to leadership. Paul expanded on this, saying: “From my roots in architecture to my time in European boardrooms, I’ve learned that excellence lies in integration – of vision and detail, creativity and discipline, profit and purpose. Through cascading strategies, transparent metrics, and a shared moral compass, I align our people around impact and legacy, all whilst adding value through design.” Continuing to do this through the development of masterplanned communities and integrated wellness resorts is the priority of the Group going forwards, replicating its successful model in emerging markets across South East Asia. Paul added: “For the remainder of 2025, our focus will be on deepening the operational excellence of Angsana Teluk Bahang and expanding the reach of the Institute of Wellness and Aesthetic Medicine through strategic programmes, partnerships, and health tourism channels.” “There is a richness of opportunity that South east Asia offers when local insight meets global vision. The region is brimming with untapped potential, and I believe our story is just beginning.” Contact: Paul Tan Company: Senja Aman Group Web Address: https:// senjaaman.com/ Jun25061 Paul Tan is the CEO of the Senja Aman Group, a property development and investment company based in Malaysia. Developing projects that exist at the intersection of lifestyle, wellness, and environmental stewardship, the Group places equal emphasis on destinations and communities, seen through its work on integrated mixed-use developments with premier hospitality and healthcare providers and private investors. On the back of his recognition through this award, we caught up with Paul to find out more about the work he spearheads at the Group.
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