He founded YTL Corporation,[1] Malaysia's largest conglomerate, with interests in construction, utilities, hotels, property development and technology.

YTL is based primarily in Malaysia but has extensive operations in Asia, Australia and the United Kingdom, where it owns the utility Wessex Water.

In 2013, he established the Yeoh Tiong Lay Centre for Politics, Philosophy & Law at King's College, London with a gift of US$11 million.

[2] A Malaysian Chinese of Kinmen and Zhangzhou Hokkien roots, Yeoh Tiong Lay was the third eldest child in his family.

[citation needed] Involved with charitable societies in Malaysia, he lent financial support to various educational establishments, and was chairman of Hin Hua High School, his alma mater.