The global business landscape brims with multinational players, but few have charted a growth trajectory as distinctive as QI Group. What does QI Group do? The company invests across wellness and lifestyle, education, travel and leisure, luxury goods, and retail sectors. The conglomerate gradually expanded through QI Capital, its investment arm, with holdings now spanning across the USA, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, Hong Kong, and New Zealand. Its portfolio includes financial services, education institutions, telecommunications ventures, Swiss watchmaking, natural food retail chains, hospitality management, and digital marketplaces.
Quest International University stands among its most notable achievements. Established in Perak, Malaysia, in 2011, this educational institution has hosted over 15,000 students from 50 countries to date. The university continues to grow through innovative financing methods, including a $21.48 million Sukuk Ijarah program with a Malaysian bank — marking the company’s first foray into Malaysian capital markets.
The luxury division features two distinguished Swiss brands: Cimier and the historic Bernhard H. Mayer. These premium timepiece and jewelry manufacturers represent the company’s dedication to high-end craftsmanship and design.
“We created specific designs, worked with specific movements, and drew inspiration from its heritage while designing for a new generation of watch connoisseurs,” explains Vijay Eswaran, the company’s executive chairman.
The conglomerate revolutionized customer interactions with luxury watches through its 2010 launch of the Watch Academy. “Here, customers can experience the art of watchmaking firsthand,” Eswaran explained. “We invite customers to our workshop to choose and build their own watch, which creates a bond quite unlike anything else in the industry. “There’s something magical about creating a watch that is entirely your own, something timeless.”
The hospitality division manages boutique hotels and resorts throughout Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Turkey. These properties maintain four-star-plus ratings on major travel platforms.
According to the company’s website, “Our hotels and boutique resorts are designed to minimize environmental impact, incorporating as many natural elements as possible. We continue to invest in eco-tourism, offering attractive travel and holiday packages to discerning travelers.”
What Is the History of QI Group?
The QI Group’s history is one of strategic expansion and calculated diversification. The original direct selling operation now functions within a broader wellness and lifestyle division connecting with consumers through thousands of distributors worldwide.
This expansion began with focused growth in Hong Kong and Malaysia before methodically extending into South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Central Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa markets.
Few global businesses demonstrate such deliberate sector diversification. The company maintains investments across industries that create synergistic opportunities.
Down to Earth, a Hawaii-based all-natural products chain, exemplifies this multi sector approach. The retail operation aligns perfectly with the wellness-focused philosophy that permeates the company’s various ventures. Beyond simply selling health products, the chain actively participates in community education through cooking demonstrations and nutrition workshops at schools and hospitals.
The travel and hospitality division pays similar attention to holistic business integration. Properties like Prana Resort Nandana don’t merely provide accommodations — they showcase the company’s environmental values through comprehensive sustainability initiatives.
Thai environmental authorities have recognized Prana’s efforts with their prestigious Gold certification. The resort has eliminated single-use plastics, implemented digital check-in processes, uses QR code menus to reduce paper waste, and sources ingredients locally to minimize carbon footprint. Staff members participate in regular beach cleanups and conservation activities, extending environmental commitments beyond property boundaries.
RYTHM Philosophy Guides Business Decisions
The company’s expansion reflects a commitment to its foundational “Raise Yourself To Help Mankind” philosophy. This guiding principle transforms corporate values into tangible community benefits through the RYTHM Foundation.
Based on this philosophy, employees are encouraged to volunteer for local causes in their community. They participate in initiatives that range from environmental conservation to youth education, creating unique solutions for local challenges. Since its inception, the foundation has led initiatives in 20 countries, with employees contributing 120,000 hours of volunteer service.
The environmental commitment manifested powerfully in 2021 through the Green Legacy program, which has planted 25,000 trees across 10 countries working with various environmental partners. This initiative addresses climate change while supporting sustainable agroforestry practices for community development.
Workforce Diversity Powers Innovation
The company’s success stems partly from its remarkably diverse workforce. More than 2,000 employees represent over 45 nationalities and speak over 50 languages collectively. The age range spans from 19 to 65 years, with women holding 47% of positions and 44% of management roles.
This international talent pool creates a vibrant corporate culture where varied perspectives drive business innovations. The Employee Community Impact program demonstrates how this diverse workforce translates corporate values into action. Since 2013, employees have contributed to more than 550 initiatives ranging from environmental conservation to youth education and community development projects across 20 countries.
“When you have a large team, you have the opportunity to build diversity into the team,” stated Eswaran. “People with varied experiences, approaches, and perspectives who will help you cover all bases.”
The company’s leadership philosophy emphasizes turning employees into valuable stakeholders. “Create an environment where your employees feel like they are valuable stakeholders,” Eswaran explained. “Find the right people and give them ownership of what they do. You need a sherpa to find your way to the top of a mountain. The best thing you can do for your business is to turn your employees into sherpas.”
McKinsey’s 2023 report, “Diversity Matters Even More: The Case for Holistic Impact,” provides insights into the correlation between leadership diversity and company performance. The report indicates that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on their executive teams are 39% more likely to outperform their peers financially. Similarly, those in the top quartile for ethnic diversity on executive teams also show a 39% increased likelihood of financial outperformance.
QI Group’s global expansion strategy demonstrates how calculated diversification, strategic investments, and commitment to social responsibility can create sustainable growth. The company continues expanding its multinational presence while maintaining its core values of integrity, service, sustainability, and leadership.