Ruben Gnanalingam
Ruben Gnanalingam | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ruben Emir Nepo Ki D' Gnanalingam 16 September 1976 |
| Education | Victoria Institution |
| Alma mater | London School of Economics |
| Occupations | CEO Westports Malaysia Co-chairman Queens Park Rangers F.C. |
Board member of | Westports Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Business Club Malaysia |
| Spouse |
Shirieene Hajamaideen
(m. 2006) |
| Parent(s) | G. Gnanalingam Siew Yong Gnanalingam |
Ruben Emir Gnanalingam (born 16 September 1976) is a Malaysian businessman.
Early life
Gnanalingam was born on 16 September 1976. He graduated from the London School of Economics with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Economics.[1]
Westports Malaysia
Gnanalingam joined Westports Malaysia in 2005, and was the Executive Director from 2006 to 2010. He then moved into the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a position which, as of 2015, he still holds.[2]
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
In 2015, he was named as co-chairman of Queens Park Rangers F.C., alongside Tony Fernandes.[3][4] On 15 August 2018, he and Tony Fernandes stepped down from co-chairmen to enable Amit Bhatia to take their spaces and become chairman.
Los Angeles F.C.
In 2019, Gnanalingam joined the ownership group of Major League Soccer's Los Angeles FC.[5]
Central Coast Mariners F.C.
On 23 June 2026, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) announced that ownership of Central Coast Mariners FC had been transferred to Total Soccer Growth Holdings (TSG), an international investment group led by Malaysian businessman Ruben Gnanalingam. The acquisition followed a period of league administration after the APL assumed control of the club in January 2026, following the forfeiture of the club’s participation agreement by previous owner Mike Charlesworth.
Gnanalingam, who is the majority shareholder of TSG, stated that the group viewed Australian football as a significant growth opportunity and expressed a commitment to strengthening the club’s connection with the Central Coast community and its youth development pathways.
The acquisition returned the Mariners to private ownership after approximately five months under APL administration. The transaction did not include the club’s A-League Women licence. [6][7]
Other work
Gnanalingam is as of 2015 a board member at Kuala Lumpur Business Club Malaysia.[8]
Personal life
Gnanalingam is a Malaysian of Sri Lankan Tamil and Chinese descent.[9] His father is G. Gnanalingam, another prominent businessman, and his mother is Siew Yong Gnanalingam. As of 2015, he is married to Shirieene Hajamaideen.
In early 2025, Gnanalingam issued a statement in which he apologized for reposting several articles on LinkedIn that were widely criticized as anti-Israeli. His remarks drew criticism from Queens Park Rangers, Los Angeles FC, and Major League Soccer. He stated, 'It was never my intention to offend or harm anyone, and I take responsibility for not exercising greater caution before sharing these posts.'"[10][11][12]
References
- ↑ Ismail, Netty (3 October 2013). "Gnanalingam Emerges as Billionaire on Malaysian Port IPO". Bloomberg Business. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
- ↑ "Westports' Ruben Gnanalingam: Family Is My Top Priority". Bloomberg Business. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ↑ "RUBEN GNANALINGAM APPOINTED QPR CO-CHAIRMAN". Queens Park Rangers. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ↑ "Ruben Gnanalingam named QPR co-chairman alongside Fernandes". BBC Sport. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ↑ Wahl, Grant (7 November 2014). "How did LAFC come to be? These businessmen are behind MLS' newest team". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ↑ "Soccer-Australia's Central Coast Mariners get new owners after months under league control". Reuters. 23 June 2026. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
- ↑ "A-Leagues Update: Central Coast Mariners FC". Central Coast Mariners. 12 January 2026. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
- ↑ "Board of Directors". Westports Malaysia. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
- ↑ Lim, Noelle (29 February 2012). "Picking Up Where His Father Left Off". Forbes. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- ↑ Rueter, Jeff. "LAFC co-owner Ruben Gnanalingam apologizes for anti-Israel posts following MLS, LAFC condemnation". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ↑ "LAFC co-owner apologizes for anti-Israel repost". ESPN.com. 10 February 2025.
- ↑ Prinsley, Jane (7 February 2025). "QPR owner shared posts calling for Israel to be 'dismantled' and praising Hezbollah". The Jewish Chronicle.