Three young entrepreneurs clinch inaugural award at Icon Ball 2023

AFTER a three-year hiatus, ICON magazine held its swanky annual ball last Thursday (Apr 13) at Shangri-La Singapore – much to the delight of local high-society ladies who could once again step out in their carefully-considered couture and compete to be among the 20 best dressed.

Along with the fashion action, the Chinese luxury lifestyle publication also took the opportunity to celebrate its 18th anniversary with an inaugural award.

The Next Icon awards aim to foster innovation, excellence and leadership among young entrepreneurs and family businesses here and in the region. Candidates shortlisted were below 40 years of age and have worked in the family business of two generations or more, for at least five years. This year, the candidates were shortlisted for their sustainability efforts and initiatives in family businesses.

The three awardees were: Ho Ren Yung, senior vice-president of Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts; Victor Tan, chief executive officer of Top International Holdings; and Cynthia Handriani Wijaya, head of business development and investor relations of the Daya Selaras Group in Indonesia.

The trio were chosen for making a significant impact in their respective industries by prioritising sustainability as a key component of their business strategy.

“We are proud to recognise these exceptional individuals who are driving sustainable initiatives in their family businesses,” said Sylvester Ng, editor-in-chief of ICON Singapore. “Their dedication and leadership are a testament to the spirit of innovation and excellence that the award embodies. We are confident that their success will inspire and empower the next generation of business leaders.”

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ICON partnered the Singapore Management University’s Business Families Institute (BFI) to jointly select the winners.

Associate professor Kenneth Goh, BFI’s academic director, said the BFI actively promotes business families’ interests, builds a community of entrepreneurial next-generation leaders, and supports them in building sustainable, impactful enterprises across generations.

“We are delighted to acknowledge the hard work, dedication and innovation of the next-generation leaders, and acknowledge the contributions they have made to their family businesses’ success,” said Prof Goh.