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After two transformative stints at Maybank, Chen Fong Tuan brings to his new role bold people strategy, deep business insight, and a mission to make HR indispensable to growth.
- Interview by Aditi Sharma Kalra, inputs by Priya Sunil.
Regionally respected HR leader Chen Fong Tuan (pictured above) has taken on the role of Chief People Officer at Valiram, a luxury goods and 360° retail specialist in Asia.
Speaking to HRO, the Malaysian luminary says his priority in the new role would be to anchor energy with a strong and scalable people strategy. "That means elevating talent as a competitive advantage through sharper leadership development, future-fit capabilities, and performance-driven culture."
Equally important, he adds, is reimagining the employee experience making it not just engaging, but aspirational and brand aligned. At the same time, he aims to strengthen the fundamentals from total rewards, workforce planning, and HR technology to enable the company to scale with purpose and precision.
"My role is to ensure HR becomes a true growth accelerator, not just a functional necessity."
Chen comes to the role following years of leadership experience in HR, including two tenures at Maybank where he played a vital role shaping the HR strategy during some of its most pivotal years.
Reflecting on his journey, he shares: "What I’m most proud of was helping shape a people agenda that wasn’t just aligned to the business, it was one that actively shaped the business itself vis-à -vis LEAP30 in my first stint and M25+ in the second.
"We redefined what it meant to lead with both head and heart, proving that human capital strategy could be as transformative as financial strategy. From embedding a leadership pipeline that’s future-ready to building cultures of trust, resilience and accountability, it was about more than policies."
Asked if there's a legacy he hopes to leave behind, he says it's that HR, when anchored in courage and conviction, becomes a powerful force for reinvention. "I’m proud to have been part of a team at Maybank that continuously pushed the boundaries of what HR stands for - with the sole purpose of making a difference in the lives of our people.
"It’s a place that shaped me as much as I contributed to it; and for that, I’ll always be grateful."
As someone who has long been at the forefront of HR innovation in the region, Chen is keenly aware of the balance between boldness and business grounding. "I believe innovation without relevance is just theatrics," he notes. "I keep my HR strategies grounded by being obsessively curious about the business — from margins to market dynamics — while constantly scanning the horizon for what’s next.
"It’s not about chasing trends, but curating what truly matters. I challenge my teams to ask: 'Will this move the needle, or just make headlines?'"
Staying progressive is about about being intentional, impactful, and aligned.
Looking ahead, Chen calls on HR leaders to embrace a new mindset — one that sees the function not just as an enabler, but as a strategic force moulding the future of business. "We are both culture custodians and, more importantly, transformation catalysts," he says.
One belief that must be unlearned, he adds, is that empathy dilutes accountability. "Real leadership is not about choosing between kindness and standards, it’s about holding the line with heart. Being people-centric means confronting the hard truths, dealing with them with respect and dignity."
As for what drew him to Valiram, where the company's portfolio comprises internationally renowned brands such as Michael Kors and Tumi, as well as original retail concepts such as Swiss Watch Gallery, Chen reflects: "Maybank was a chapter of purpose, impact, and partnership — I leave with deep gratitude and no regrets."
The opportunity at Valiram, he says, represents a "boldness of possibility": reimagining HR in a world of luxury retail, where brand, experience and people converge. "The canvas is different, but the brushstrokes of transformation remain the same — human-centered and unapologetically future-forward."
Photo / Provided
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