IGB REIT Management announced the death of former chief executive officer Elizabeth Tan Hui Ning on September 22, 2026. Tan, 42, was a veteran of the Malaysian property sector who had previously led the management of IGB REIT and IGB Commercial REIT before stepping down for medical reasons in 2025.
The announcement, delivered via a notice to tenants, business partners, and colleagues, described Tan’s passing as a major loss
to both the organization and the broader property industry. She is survived by her father, Datuk Seri Robert Tan Chung Meng, the executive chairman of IGB REIT Management and a major unitholder in both REITs, and her sister, Gabrielle Tan Hui Chween, who serves as chief brand officer.
A Rapid Ascent Through Mid Valley City Gardens
Tan’s career in the property sector began immediately following her academic success. In June 2004, she graduated from Cardiff University in Wales with First Class Honours in Business Administration. By August 2004, she had joined Mid Valley City Gardens Sdn Bhd.
Her trajectory within the company was swift. She was appointed as an executive director in January 2011, eventually moving into operational leadership as the Joint Chief Operating Officer and Head of Operations and Leasing at The Gardens Mall. In that capacity, she managed retail development, customer service, and the overall operations of the mall.
Leadership Transitions and Health Challenges
Tan reached the top of the organization at the start of 2024. Following the retirement of longtime CEO Antony Patrick Barragry, she was appointed as CEO of IGB REIT Management effective January 1 or 2, 2024, depending on the source. During her tenure, she oversaw the management of both IGB REIT and IGB Commercial REIT while maintaining her role as an executive director.
However, her leadership was cut short by declining health. In March 2025, Tan stepped down from the CEO position due to medical reasons. This transition saw her father, Robert Tan, redesignated as executive chairman, while Antony Patrick Barragry returned from retirement to serve as acting CEO.
The health issues continued to impact her professional roles into the following year. On January 23, 2026, the company announced her resignation as an alternate director of IGB Bhd. The filing clarified that her departure was not the result of any disagreement with the board, but was strictly due to her health.
Corporate Tribute and Family Privacy
The response from IGB REIT Management has focused on Tan’s legacy and the personal toll of the loss. Current CEO Chai Lai Sim issued a statement on behalf of the firm’s leadership and staff.
The company has emphasized the need for discretion as the family navigates the immediate aftermath of the death. Chai Lai Sim added, During this time of mourning, we respectfully ask that the family be given the privacy and space they need.
While the organization has acknowledged that Tan will be deeply remembered by those who worked with her, specific details regarding the wake and funeral arrangements have not yet been released, pending finalization by the family.
The timeline of Tan’s final two years reveals a steady withdrawal from corporate governance—first from the CEO role in early 2025 and finally from the board of IGB Bhd in early 2026—marking a clear period of medical decline that preceded her death at 42.