PCMA APAC Lunch & Learn, Kuala Lumpur

Zhu Lian leads Vision Group as Group Managing Director, bringing comprehensive expertise in capital markets, asset management, and CFO advisory services. Distinguished for his mastery of initial public offerings (IPOs), private equity transactions, and strategic business and financial advisory, he has demonstrated exceptional capabilities in creating substantial shareholder value, with a remarkable track record of generating over RM15 billion in capital market value creation for businesses in multiple sectors including F&B and food security, retail chains, financial services, healthcare and wellness, IT and technology, manufacturing, and real estate.

Chua holds a Bachelor of Science (Economics) with Honours from University College London, achieved through the prestigious Bank Negara Malaysia High Achiever Scholarship Program. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and previously held the Capital Markets Services Representative’s Licence (CMSRL), establishing his credentials in regulated investment services. His career progression includes serving as Financial Supervisor at Bank Negara Malaysia (2011-2017), followed by his role as Director of Investment at Fortress Capital Asset Management.

Chua is recognized as a thought leader in capital markets development, regularly contributing insights to major media platforms such as Bloomberg and The Edge, and at major industry forums including the World Congress on Innovation & Technology (WCIT), The Edge Billion Ringgit Club, and the Malaysian International Food and Beverage Trade Fair (MIFB). He actively participates in government-to-government trade delegations across Malaysia, China, and Japan, promoting cross-border investment opportunities and strategic business partnerships that drive regional economic growth and development.

Check out Zhu Lian’s LinkedIn.

John Cheong is an accomplished self-starter with over 30 years of experience in various industries, especially in the exhibition sector. He excels in establishing commercial, legal, and financial platforms to foster profitable businesses and facilitate mergers and acquisitions.

Cheong began his career in 1988 in the UK, rising to Audit Manager in an audit firm, gaining experience in auditing and accounting across diverse industries. Cheong holds two major professional qualifications from the UK, namely CIMA and ACCA. In 1997, he returned to Malaysia, where he played a pivotal role in transitioning a company from a private entity to a publicly listed one, overseeing finance, treasury, purchasing, shipping, costing, and human resources.

In 2004, Cheong co-founded a company organizing B2B trade exhibitions specializing in beauty and wellness products, Cosmobeaute and laboratory equipment an services , LabAsia, across Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar.

In 2013, the company divested 50% of Cosmobeaute and LabAsia, to a UK public listed company, ITE UK plc. The company expanded its portfolio to include sectors like paper and pulp, and oil and gas, growing to eight trade shows per year. He divested all his shares in 2018 to the largest trade exhibition organizer in the world, Informa UK plc.
In semi-retirement, Cheong lectured on Risk Management from 2019 to 2020 at Taylor’s University in Malaysia, in addition to be appointed as an Adjunct Lecturer in 2017-2018. He served as an Executive Committee Member of the Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS) from 2014 to 2015 and as Treasurer from 2016 to 2018. He was one of the trainers in MACEOS’s education programs from 2016 to 2024.

He currently provides advisory services and mentorship to startups and SMEs.

With over 20 years of experience as a dynamic business communicator, Freda Liu has conducted more than 5,000 interviews with prominent global leaders, visionaries, and changemakers. Her distinguished guest list includes Simon Sinek, President Alexander Stubb of Finland, Stephen Covey, Nick Vujicic, former GE CEO Jack Welch, and Wikileaks’ Julian Assange, among others.

Check out Freda’s LinkedIn.