Our Founder

Nicole Lim, a Malaysian aged 35, is our Promoter, Substantial Shareholder, Non-Independent Executive Director and CEO. Lim Xui Jhi (“Nicole Lim”) was appointed to the Board on 25 September 2023 and serves as the Group’s Chief Executive Officer. She is the co-founder of the Empire Sushi business, having commenced her entrepreneurial journey in 2009 before establishing the Empire Sushi brand together with Tan Sin Guan (“Jordan Tan”) in 2010. Following the growth of the business, Nicole Lim and Jordan Tan co-founded Empire Sushi Group Sdn Bhd in 2013 to operate and expand the Empire Sushi brand. In 2020, Empire Sushi Sdn. Bhd. was incorporated to assume all the business operations from Empire Sushi Group Sdn. Bhd. Empire Sushi Group Sdn Bhd ceased operations and was placed under members’ voluntary winding-up in September 2024.

Nicole Lim completed her secondary education at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Abdul Aziz, Teluk Intan, Perak in 2007. Upon completing her secondary education, she enrolled in Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar branch (now known as Universiti Pengurusan dan Teknologi Tunku Abdul Rahman) in Perak to pursue a Certificate in Business Studies (Business Administration) in 2008. Nicole Lim withdrew from her course in 2009 to establish her first entrepreneurial venture together with Jordan Tan through a partnership, a registered business known as BB Little Kitchen, a food and beverage café located in close proximity to her college in Kampar, Perak in December 2009. With over 15 years of experience in entrepreneurship, business development and operational management within the food and beverage industry, she has been instrumental in the development and expansion of the Group’s business. Under her leadership, the Group has grown its retail footprint to 143 outlets as at 31 March 2026.

As Chief Executive Officer, she is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, corporate planning, branding and business development of the Group.

Her notable achievements include being awarded Young Entrepreneur of the Year of the Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) in 2018, 2020 and 2023, respectively, by Star Media Group, SME Woman Entrepreneur Award of the SME Malaysia Platinum Business Award 2019 by Star Media Group, Top 10 Finalist of the Creative Young Entrepreneur Award 2019 by Junior Chamber International (JCI) Malaysia, Winner of the JCI Creative Young Entrepreneur Award 2020 by Junior Chamber International (JCI) Malaysia, Honoree for Business, Economic and/or Entrepreneurial Accomplishment of the JCI Ten Outstanding Young Malaysians Award 2021 by Junior Chamber International (JCI) Malaysia and Entrepreneur of the Year of the EY Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 Malaysia by Ernst & Young.

Nicole Lim is the spouse of Jordan Tan, who is the Non-Independent Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and the sibling of Lim Chung Liang, who is the Group’s Chief Financial Officer of the Company. She is also a Director and major shareholder of Empire 11 Group Sdn. Bhd., the Company's major shareholder.

Jordan Tan, a Malaysian aged 43, is our Promoter, Substantial Shareholder, Non-Independent Executive Director and COO.

Tan Sin Guan (“Jordan Tan”) was appointed to the Board on 25 September 2023 and serves as the Group’s Chief Operating Officer. Together with Nicole Lim, he established the Empire Sushi business in 2010 and subsequently cofounded Empire Sushi Group Sdn Bhd in 2013 to support the expansion of the Empire Sushi brand.

Jordan Tan completed his secondary education at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Desa Perdana, Kuala Lumpur in 1999. Upon completing his secondary education, he worked for a company that operates grab-and-go sushi counters in supermarkets and he was based at one of such counters in a supermarket in Kuala Lumpur from 2000 to 2003, supporting daily kitchen operations where he gained valuable insights into the daily operations of a grab-and-go sushi outlet. Between 2003 and 2006 after leaving the said job, Jordan Tan worked as a sales and marketing person for two other companies in the Klang Valley that were in the business of distributing mobile phone accessories and kitchen appliances. Prior to co-founding Empire Sushi, he gained operational experience in the grab-and-go sushi segment and was involved in various business ventures within the food and beverage sector. Jordan has over 20 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, including extensive experience in sushi retail operations.

As Chief Operating Officer, he is responsible for overseeing the Group’s outlet operations, operational efficiency, product development and menu innovation. He plays a key role in driving operational excellence and supporting the Group’s continued growth and expansion.

Jordan Tan is the spouse of Nicole Lim, the Non-Independent Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the brother-in-law of Lim Chung Liang, the Group’s Chief Financial Officer of the Company. He is also a Director and major shareholder of Empire 11 Group Sdn. Bhd., the Company's major shareholder.