The QI Group has built a multinational business empire spanning education, wellness, hospitality, and luxury goods. Founded in 1998 during the Asian financial crisis, this Hong Kong-registered corporation has grown into a global powerhouse with operations in more than 30 countries. Where is QI Group headquarters? The company maintains its corporate headquarters in Hong Kong with a regional green-certified operational hub in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, serving as the foundation for its international expansion.
Under the leadership of founders Vijay Eswaran, executive chairman, and Joseph Bismark, deputy chairman, the company has expanded from its initial focus on direct selling to develop a diverse portfolio of businesses. The company now employs over 2,000 individuals representing nearly 50 nationalities, with women holding 47% of the total workforce and 44% of management positions.
What Are the Products of the QI Group of Companies?
The QI Group has a wide range of business interests across many sectors. One of its most notable ventures in education is Quest International University in the state of Perak, Malaysia. QIU provides a comprehensive selection of academic programs, from undergraduate to postgraduate levels. It’s registered with the Ministry of Higher Education under the Malaysian Private Educational Institutions Act 1996.
Established in 2011, QIU has grown to welcome approximately 15,000 students from 50 countries. And QI Group secured a $21.48 million (approximately 100 million Malaysian ringgit) Sukuk Ijarah financing agreement with a major Malaysian bank to fund the expansion of QIU’s campus facilities. The financing program, which utilizes Islamic bonds based on leasing principles, represents a significant educational investment and the company’s inaugural participation in Malaysia’s capital markets.
QIU’s approach to education emphasizes both academic excellence and practical experience. The university incorporates extracurricular activities, soft skills development, clinical and industrial experiences, and entrepreneurship training into its curriculum to prepare students for careers in a global economy.
The group’s luxury retail division showcases the company’s ability to operate in premium market segments, particularly by managing prestigious Swiss watch brands, including Cimier and Bernhard H. Mayer.
The iconic Bernhard H. Mayer brand of watches and jewelry caters to discerning luxury consumers who value heritage and exclusivity. Cimier is celebrated for its distinctive designs and meticulous attention to detail.
The hospitality division operates boutique hotels and resorts across Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Turkey. Prana Resort Nandana in Koh Samui, Thailand, exemplifies the company’s commitment to eco-tourism, having earned a gold rating from Thailand’s Green Hotel Standard for its sustainable practices. The hotels in Sri Lanka boast an average rating of over four stars on Google and Tripadvisor, with guests frequently praising the attentive and caring staff.
Through QI Capital, the group’s investment arm, the company has diversified into financial services, telecommunications, natural food retail, and online marketplaces across Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, Hong Kong, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
RYTHM Philosophy Drives Business Ethos
At the core of QI Group’s business model is the philosophy of “Raise Yourself To Help Mankind”, inspired by teachings attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, the Group’s corporate icon. This principle has shaped both the company’s commercial ventures and its take on social responsibility.
Eswaran has said, “We were very clear that we have a greater purpose other than being profit-driven.”
This philosophy manifests through the RYTHM Foundation, the company’s social impact initiative chaired by Umayal Eswaran. The company redirects 10% of its revenue to the foundation in support of its partnerships with over 100 grassroots organizations across Southeast Asia, India, Sri Lanka, and sub-Saharan Africa.
The foundation’s work aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on three main areas — providing educational access to children in remote and underserved communities (particularly those with special needs), offering skills training and economic opportunities to women from disadvantaged backgrounds, and supporting rural community development initiatives.
Environmental Sustainability Initiatives
The company has implemented environmental practices across its operations, launching its Green Legacy program in 2021, resulting in the planting of 25,000 trees across 10 countries through partnerships with environmental organizations.
The program began with a collaboration with EcoMatcher to establish three forests of 1,000 trees each in Kenya, the United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines. It has since expanded to include tree planting in Indonesia, Algeria, Turkey, Russia, Egypt, Morocco, and Malaysia.
The QI Group’s diverse portfolio represents more than just commercial investments — it embodies a business philosophy that balances profitability with purpose. From encouraging employee volunteerism to implementing eco-friendly practices in hospitality ventures and across its offices, the company demonstrates that ethical business conduct can coexist with financial success.
