In youth, ambition often surges with unshackled momentum—instantaneous, insistent, and idealistic. That was Marc Zuriel Philip when he joined his late father’s company, Triangle Worldwide, 14 years ago. But, stepping into a business already 30 years in the making, he soon discovered that passion and enthusiasm alone were not enough. The first test was to earn the respect of his father’s trusted lieutenants, seasoned men and women who had weathered decades of challenges and victories at his side. Rigorous and eye-opening, it was a gauntlet that challenged his resolve and tempered his ambition.
Many remark that family and business should not mix, but for Philip, it was a chance to connect with his father in the way he knew best. Described as a man of quiet strength–who clawed his way out of poverty and rose from the rubber estates—Philip joined not to chase titles or profits, but to be closer to his father, who showed love through long hours, sacrifice, and an unbreakable work ethic. Today, with experience hard-earned and vision sharpened, he leads as CEO, guiding the company’s growth to a global logistics provider spanning the skies, seas, and roads.
“It was both easy and difficult working with my dad. When I first joined, people had two extreme views—some would say, ‘How do you work with your dad? That must be tough’, while others assumed I had it easy because my boss was also my father. The truth was somewhere in between. It was easy in the sense that he was a good man and always open to listening, but it was also difficult because we came from very different backgrounds and experiences. He grew up in poverty, while I had a more comfortable upbringing, thanks to what he built for us. That difference often led to big arguments. When we lost him last year, it hit me very hard. He wasn’t just my father; he was my mentor, my guru, and my toughest critic. Now that I’m in the driver’s seat, not having someone to play devil’s advocate is difficult. That’s what I miss the most.
“The last time I felt like a beginner again was during those first few months as CEO. In 2020, Triangle Worldwide was still heavily focused on air and sea freight. When the pandemic hit and borders were opening and closing unpredictably, international markets became uncertain. By then, I knew we had to adapt. So, I decided we should invest in trucks and focus more on the domestic market, because domestic borders were still open. Not long after, a very well-funded startup came to us, and we struck a gentleman’s agreement. But, as they scaled and became more corporate, the people I dealt with started leaving one by one. New faces came in and, eventually, I was cut out of the deal. Suddenly, I was left with 15 brand new trucks, all under financing. It made me question myself all over again, but as an owner, when you make a decision, you own it. So I told myself: my trucks are brand new, my service is strong, someone will need them. My team and I went out and hustled harder than ever.
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“My biggest doubt was always self-doubt. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to lead, if I was making the right decision, or if I had the killer instinct needed to make tough calls. Unlike my father, I came in with more formal education and grew up around the business. I thought that knowledge would prepare me but once I joined, I realised making the tough decisions was something else entirely. This means knowing when to walk away from a bad contract that’s draining resources, or when it’s the right time to let go of a team member, no matter how much you care about them. Learning to manage that doubt and push past it has been part of the process.
“My wife is amazing. I still remember when we were in Australia and we had just gotten married, maybe 10 months in. I hadn’t seen her for a couple of months and, then, we finally reunited. Out of nowhere, she handed me a pregnancy test—no heads up, nothing—and suddenly I found out I was going to be a dad. Obviously, I was emotional. I told her, ‘Give me a couple of minutes, I need to get some air.’ I stepped out but instead of walking, I started running. I ran like a madman. The adrenaline rush was incredible. At that moment, the thought that went through my mind was strange, but I felt immortal. I felt like even if my life ended tomorrow, it suddenly had meaning.
“Life has given me many opportunities, and I hold a lot of gratitude. In today’s challenging climate, running a successful business is something I don’t take lightly. I was given a platform to build on, with the right people in the right positions, and by taking the right risks. Together, we are growing phenomenally. I feel very blessed, and I’m surrounded by good people who support me and bring me joy.”
READ MORE: Meet the rest of Robb Report Malaysia's Power Individuals 2025
