Lim Kok Thay

Lim is the executive chairman and board executive of Genting Malaysia Berhad & Genting Berhad, also known as Genting Group, a conglomerate active in leisure & hospitality, power generation, oil palm plantations, property development, biotechnology, and oil & gas business activities.{{cite web|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=5059350&ticker=GTHKF:US|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717221441/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=5059350&ticker=GTHKF:US|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 July 2012|title=Executive Profile: Lim Kok Thay|publisher=Bloomberg Businessweek|accessdate=25 October 2011}}{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/officerProfile?symbol=GENT.KL&officerId=220648|title=Officer Profile: Lim Kok Thay|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=25 October 2011}}{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204770404577079253353520704|title=Genting Gambles on a Family Approach to Casinos|first=Gaurav|last=Raghuvanshi|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=12 December 2011|publisher=|accessdate=27 October 2017|via=www.wsj.com}}{{cite web|author=|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/23/world/asia/23iht-obits.1.8012770.html |title=Lim Goh Tong, casino entrepreneur, dies at 90 - The New York Times |work=The New York Times |date=23 October 2007 |accessdate=26 May 2017}}

He is the co-founder of Genting Hong Kong Limited, formerly known as Star Cruises Limited. Star Cruises, together with Norwegian Cruise Line was in 2011 the third largest cruise operator in the world, with a combined fleet of 18 ships providing about 35,000 lower berths.{{cite web|url=http://www.etravelblackboardasia.com/article/78671/star-cruises-honored-as-ttg-asia-awards-travel-hall-of-fame-inductee|title=Star Cruises Honored as TTG Asia Awards Travel Hall of Fame|publisher=etravelblackboard asia|accessdate=12 October 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122084937/http://www.etravelblackboardasia.com/article/78671/star-cruises-honored-as-ttg-asia-awards-travel-hall-of-fame-inductee|archive-date=22 January 2013|url-status=dead}}

He has a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from University of London. He attended the six-week advanced management programme of Harvard Business School, the US in 1979.

In 1976, he was appointed a director of Genting Group. The Genting Group grew from a single listed entity in 1971 to five listed entities (comprising Genting Berhad),{{cite web|url=http://www.klse.com.my/website/bm/listed_companies/list_of_companies/main_market.html#G|title=List of Companies – Genting Berhad|publisher=Bursa Malaysia|accessdate= 25 October 2011}} Genting Malaysia Berhad{{cite web|url=http://www.klse.com.my/website/bm/listed_companies/list_of_companies/main_market.html#G|title=List of Companies – Genting Malaysia Berhad|publisher=Bursa Malaysia|accessdate= 25 October 2011}} and Genting Plantations Berhad{{cite web|url=http://www.klse.com.my/website/bm/listed_companies/list_of_companies/main_market.html#G|title=List of Companies – Genting Plantations Berhad|publisher=Bursa Malaysia|accessdate= 25 October 2011}} which are listed on the main board of Bursa Malaysia; Genting Singapore Plc{{cite web|url=http://www.sgx.com/wps/portal/sgxweb/home/company_disclosure/corporate%20information|title=Company Disclosure: Genting Singapore Plc|publisher=Singapore Exchange|accessdate=25 October 2011}} which is listed on the main board of Singapore Exchange and Genting Hong Kong{{cite web|url=http://www.hkex.com.hk/eng/invest/company/excompany_page_e.asp?QueryString=Genting+Hong+Kong|title=Company Info: Genting Hong Kong Limited|publisher=Hong Kong Stock Exchange|accessdate=25 October 2011}} which is listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

He was appointed the chairman and CEO of Genting Berhad and Genting Malaysia Berhad when the late Lim Goh Tong retired in December 2003.{{cite web|url=http://www.g2easia.com/en/Show-Info/Highlights/Past-Winners-of-G2E-Asia-Visionary-Award/Biography-of-Mr-Tan-Sri-Lim-Goh-Tong|title=Biography of Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong|publisher=G2E Asia|accessdate=25 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406090830/http://www.g2easia.com/en/Show-Info/Highlights/Past-Winners-of-G2E-Asia-Visionary-Award/Biography-of-Mr-Tan-Sri-Lim-Goh-Tong/|archive-date=6 April 2012|url-status=dead}} Kok Thay has since expanded Genting's presence globally, especially in the leisure tourism and entertainment industry.

Under his guidance, the Genting Group has developed leisure brands such as "Resorts World", "Maxims", "Crockfords" and "Awana", as well as established partnerships with Universal Studios, Hard Rock Hotel, Premium Outlets, Synthetic Genomics and others.{{cite web|url=http://www.einvest.com.my/Archive-CompanyFocus/2.%20Sector%20Focus/2010%20Sector%20Focus/Genting%20Group%2020100928.pdf|title=Company Focus: Genting Group|publisher=einvest|accessdate=25 October 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bursamalaysia.com/website/bm/listed_companies/company_announcements/annual_reports/index.jsp|title=Listed Companies: Genting Berhad Annual Report 2010|publisher=Bursa Malaysia|accessdate=25 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005191110/http://www.bursamalaysia.com/website/bm/listed_companies/company_announcements/annual_reports/index.jsp|archive-date=5 October 2011|url-status=dead}}

In 1990, he assisted the Mashantucket Pequots, a Native American tribe to establish Foxwoods Resorts Casino in Connecticut, With 340,000 square feet of floor space, it is the largest casino in the US.{{cite web|url=http://world-casino-resorts.com/worlds-biggest-casinos.html|title=The world's biggest casino – The Foxwoods Casino|publisher=world-casino-resorts.com|accessdate=25 October 2011}}{{cite book|title= My Story – Lim Goh Tong, chapter 13: Moving On|year=2004|publisher=Pelanduk Publications Sdn Bhd}}

He guided the expansion works of the Group's first integrated resort, Resorts World Genting, formerly known as Genting Highlands Resort located in Genting Highlands, Pahang. It has been voted by World Travel Awards as the "World's Leading Casino Resort" in years 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 and voted "Asia's Leading Casino Resort" from 2005 to 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldtravelawards.com/winners2009|title=World's Leading Casino Resort 2009 – Resorts World Genting|publisher=World Travel Awards|accessdate=25 October 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102141349/http://www.worldtravelawards.com/winners2009|archivedate=2 November 2011|df=dmy-all}}

In 2005, he expanded Group's presence to the UK. Genting UK Plc is the largest casino operator in the UK with 43 casinos.{{cite web|url=http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/90/90403.html|title=Company Profile: Genting UK Plc|publisher=Yahoo Finance|accessdate=25 October 2011}}

In 2006, Lim led his team to win the bid to build and operate Singapore's first integrated resort on Sentosa Island, called Resorts World Sentosa.{{cite web|url=http://ehotelier.com/hospitality-news/item.php?id=A9924_0_11_0_M|title=Genting Group wins Singapore Sentosa integrated resort project, 11 December 2006|publisher=ehotelier.com|accessdate=25 October 2011}} The resort was progressively opened from January 2010{{cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1037471/1/.html|title=Singapore's first casino at Resorts World Sentosa opens its doors|publisher=channelnewsasia|accessdate=25 October 2011}} and has become a prominent tourist destination in the country.{{cite web|url=http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/browse/see-and-do/family-fun/attraction/resorts-world-sentosa.html|title=Resorts World Sentosa is Asia's ultimate destination, offering a whole new world of truly rewarding experiences|publisher=YourSingapore.com|accessdate=25 October 2011}} The resort features Southeast Asia's first Universal Studios Singapore, six themed hotels, Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium{{cite web|url=http://www.etravelblackboardasia.com/article/78118/resorts-world-sentosa-unveils-the-maritime-experiential-museum-aquarium|title=Resorts World Sentosa Unveils the Maritime Experiential Museum & Aquarium|publisher=eTravel Blackboard|date=20 September 2011|access-date=31 October 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122162752/http://www.etravelblackboardasia.com/article/78118/resorts-world-sentosa-unveils-the-maritime-experiential-museum-aquarium|archive-date=22 January 2013|url-status=dead}} and many more attractions.{{cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_singapore/view/1044444/1/.html|title=Southeast Asia's first Universal Studios opens in Singapore|publisher=channelnewsasia|accessdate=25 October 2011}}

Today, under Lim's guidance, the Genting Group has integrated resort properties in three Asian countries, namely Resorts World Genting in Malaysia, Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore and Resorts World Manila in the Philippines, attracting millions of visitors. The Group has leisure projects in the US, namely Resorts World New York City, Resorts World Las Vegas and Resorts World Miami, and resort property in Bimini, Resorts World Bimini (about 30 min east of Miami).

Lim was appointed a visiting professor at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering of Imperial College, London in October 2009.{{cite web|url=https://workspace.imperial.ac.uk/secretariat/Public/Council/Council201109.pdf|title=Minutes of the Proceedings of the Thirteenth Meeting of the Council of the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine:Visiting Professors|publisher=Imperial College|accessdate=25 October 2011}} He was appointed an honorary professor of Xiamen University, China in December 2007.{{cite web|url=http://web10.bernama.com/kpdnhep/newsBm.php?id=307234|title= Star Cruises Chairman Appointed As Hon Professor of Xiamen University|publisher=Bernama news|accessdate=24 October 2011}}

In 2015, Lim acquired Crystal Cruises from Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha for $550 million. Following the acquisition, Lim rapidly expanded the company by building four new river vessels, purchasing an ocean-and-expedition ship and three shipyards, and adding a charter jet service.{{Cite news|url=https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/transport/billionaires-are-sensing-the-call-of-the-seven-seas|title=Billionaires are sensing the call of the seven seas|work=The Business Times|access-date=2018-10-09|language=en}}

In 2017, three of Lim's nephews filed a lawsuit against him and his brother, in which they contested a family trust created by founder of Genting, Lim Goh Tong.{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesasia/2018/03/07/malaysias-richest-2018-genting-gaming-family-fighting-over-the-chips/#4326eabe61cb|title=Malaysia's Richest 2018: Genting Gaming Family Fighting Over The Chips|last=Forbes|work=Forbes|access-date=2018-10-26|language=en}} Another lawsuit was brought against Lim by his sister over the beneficial interest in a block of Genting stock.{{Cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/feud-casts-cloud-over-empire|title=Family feud casts cloud over Genting Group empire|last=hermes|date=2018-01-14|work=The Straits Times|access-date=2018-10-26|language=en}}

In February 2018 Lim opened Resorts World Catskills through his holding company Empire Resorts Inc.{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/lim-kok-thay/#2fd75d106c66|title=Lim Kok Thay|work=Forbes|access-date=2018-10-31|language=en}} The $1.2 billion complex contains a casino, entertainment venue and hotel.

In January 2022, Genting Hong Kong (Star Cruises) declared bankruptcy due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/how-genting-billionaire-lim-kok-thays-global-cruise-empire-imploded-in-hong-kong|title = How Genting billionaire Lim Kok Thay's global cruise empire imploded in Hong Kong | the Straits Times| newspaper=The Straits Times |date = 23 January 2022}}

On 1 March 2025, Lim stepped down as CEO of Genting Berhad while remaining Executive Chairman of the Group. He was succeeded as CEO by Dato' Sri Tan Kong Han, marking the first time Genting Berhad appointed a CEO from outside the founding family.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-28 |title=KT Lim steps down as Genting Bhd CEO, to remain as Executive Chairman |url=https://asgam.com/2025/02/28/kt-lim-steps-down-as-genting-bhd-ceo-to-remain-as-executive-chairman/ |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=IAG |language=en-US}}

Tan Sri Lim is married to Puan Sri Cecilia Lim. They have three children.{{cite web|author=sharanpal singh randhawa |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2015/03/01/genting-group/ |title=50 charitable homes get RM1mil from Genting Group - Nation | The Star Online |publisher=Thestar.com.my |date=1 March 2015 |accessdate=26 May 2017}}{{cite book|title= My Story – Lim Goh Tong, preface: Family Tree|year=2004|publisher=Pelanduk Publications Sdn Bhd}}{{cite web|title=Forbes Profile: Lim Kok Thay |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/lim-kok-thay/ |website=Forbes |accessdate=1 May 2021}} As of 16 February 2021, Forbes estimated Tan Sri Lim's net worth to be US$ 2.4 Billion making him the 1063th richest person in the world.

In 2009, Lim was named "Travel Entrepreneur of the Year" by Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) Asia{{cite web|url=http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/10/10/business/4879719&sec=business|title=Genting CEO gets award|work=The Star|accessdate=10 October 2009}} and "The Most Influential Person in Asian Gaming" by Inside Asian Gaming, for his contributions to the leisure and travel industry.{{cite web|url=http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=523321&publicationSubCategoryId=87|title=Lim Kok Thay named Travel Entrepreneur of the Year and The most influential person in Asian Gaming|publisher=Philstar|accessdate=10 October 2009}}

• {{Flag|Malaysia}} :
• 50px Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) – Tan Sri (2002){{cite web

|url=http://www.istiadat.gov.my/index.php/component/semakanlantikanskp/|publisher=Prime Minister's Department (Malaysia)|title=SEMAKAN PENERIMA DARJAH KEBESARAN, BINTANG DAN PINGAT}}

• {{Flag|Pahang}} :
• 50px Knight Companion of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (DIMP) – Dato' (1991)
• 50px Grand Knight of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SSAP) – Dato' Sri (2007){{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2007/10/24/sultan-of-pahangs-77th-birthday-honours-list/|date=24 October 2007|work=The Star (Malaysia)|accessdate=3 April 2019|title=Sultan of Pahang's 77th birthday honours list}}

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Category:1951 births

Category:Alumni of the University of London

Category:Living people

Category:Malaysian businesspeople

Category:Malaysian people of Hokkien descent

Category:Malaysian people of Chinese descent

Category:Malaysian billionaires

Category:Malaysian chairpersons of corporations

Category:Commanders of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia