Inside Sunway: How They’re Changing the Game in Talent Development
Explore how Sunway Group leads in talent development, nurturing leaders through personalised coaching and mentoring, and continuous learning programmes.
For over five decades, Sunway Group has grown from a single entity into one of Malaysia’s leading conglomerates, spanning property development, construction, education, and more.
At the heart of this growth lies a simple yet powerful belief: that people are the driving force behind lasting success. This is further reinforced by the organisation’s long-standing slogan: “Our People, Our Asset.”
This slogan has guided Sunway’s human resource management for decades, shaping how the diversified conglomerate attracts, retains, and develops its workforce.
Today, this commitment has earned Sunway Group recognition as a winner of the LIFE AT WORK Awards (LAWA) 2024 under the Talent Sustainability category, an acknowledgement of its approach to fostering long-term employee growth and organisational capability.
Building a Talent Ecosystem for Growth
In Sunway, talent sustainability is not simply a human resources initiative; it is a business necessity driven by rapid expansion across multiple sectors.
The diversity of its businesses has made Sunway’s approach to talent development both structured and dynamic. From leadership training to on-the-job growth, the company’s ecosystem ensures employees are continuously supported at every stage of their journey.
Its impact is evident in progression patterns across the organisation, where many employees advance into managerial roles within just a few years. These outcomes reflect the strength of the company’s structured development programmes.
Growth Through Connection and Continuity
At the heart of this ecosystem lies an intentional structure that connects people, purpose, and potential.
Through regular talent reviews and its dedicated learning hub, the Sunway Leadership Centre, Sunway systematically identifies and addresses employee development needs across both, leadership and technical domains.
For Sunway, talent sustainability means creating an environment where people can continuously develop, not only to meet today’s demands but also to prepare for future challenges.
Complementing these systems is a strong coaching culture, in which executives receive personalised coaching before transitioning into mentorship roles themselves.
Collaboration That Breaks Barriers
Sunway’s talent ecosystem also extends beyond its own walls.
Through partnerships such as the LEADERRISE Leadership Development Programme with the Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI), Sunway creates opportunities for leaders to collaborate across sectors and disciplines, exposing them to different business facets.
The initiative delivers multiple benefits for the participants. It reduces silos between organisations, ensures leaders appreciate what each other is doing, and creates synergies that enable leaders to work together.
Listening, Caring, and Growing Together
Ultimately, what binds this ecosystem together is Sunway’s people-first philosophy. As Foo Shiang Wyne, Chief Human Resources (HR) Officer of Sunway Group, puts it:
“We believe that leaders must care for the growth and well-being of every employee. Engage with them and listen to their needs and aspirations, and help them succeed.”
This philosophy manifests in practical ways, including its flexible supportive working environment arrangements that enable employees to balance professional and personal responsibilities.
Tan Chuan Yong, Chief Operating Officer of Sunway Property and Facility Management, describes how this environment allowss him to drop off his kids at Sunway Little Sunshine Daycare Centre and fit in morning workouts at Sunway Lagoon Club before starting his workday.
“This entire arrangement actually allows me to not just become a good employee, but also, at the same time, a present father,” he shares.
At Sunway, talent sustainability isn’t one programme or policy; it’s the sum of every effort to connect, care, and create opportunities. It’s an ecosystem where people thrive, and the organisation grows alongside them.
Recognition and Commitment
For Sunway Group, winning at LAWA 2024 and, more recently, LAWA 2025 represents validation of decades of sustained investment in people development.
“Winning the LIFE AT WORK Awards 2024 is a meaningful recognition for Sunway,” says Foo Shiang Wyne. “It’s a good recognition of our commitment to doing
what’s right for our people. And it reflects our continuous efforts in embracing diversity, caring for employees, and investing in employees’ development and career growth.”
As organisations across Malaysia navigate talent challenges in an increasingly competitive landscape, Sunway Group’s structured approach to talent sustainability offers a blueprint for building resilient workforces capable of driving long-term business success.
About the LIFE AT WORK Awards
The LIFE AT WORK Awards is Malaysia’s most comprehensive award framework for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Organised by Talent Corporation Malaysia (TalentCorp), the Awards recognise and celebrate organisations that champion inclusivity, embrace sustainability, and transform lives and communities. Learn more about Malaysia’s DEI champions at www.lifeatwork.my.
