Meet the Founder

Harry Seggu

Harry Seggu is an Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia education entrepreneur and author, founder of Rochford’s Education Group, Poket School AI and Ipoh – The City of Millionaires.

About Harry

Building opportunity from Ipoh, for the world

Harry Seggu builds schools, platforms and communities that help people unlock their talent. He founded Rochford’s Education Group, home of Rochford’s International School in Ipoh, and Poket School AI.

He is the founder of Ipoh – The City of Millionaires, which aims to revive Ipoh’s legacy as a hub of opportunity and success, and the founder of the social enterprise The Sprouter. He hosts the Poket Talks podcast and is the author of The You Economy: How Digital Media Is Changing the Online Economy. Harry holds an LLB in Law from Thames Valley University, London.

Nuseir Yassin of Nas Daily, Alyne Tamir of Dear Alyne and Agon Hare of Project Nightfall appear in the opening of our founder’s video Are You a Sprouter?, which tells how Ipoh, home of some of the best bean sprouts in the world, gave The Sprouter its name. The Sprouter is also about entrepreneurship, helping ideas and businesses grow from small beginnings.

Agon Hare of Project Nightfall, wearing glasses and a blue T-shirt, in the opening of Harry Seggu’s video Are You a Sprouter? — Agon Hare, 0:04

Alyne Tamir of Dear Alyne, in a pink T-shirt, smiling at the camera in the opening of Harry Seggu’s video Are You a Sprouter? — Alyne Tamir, 0:06

Nuseir Yassin of Nas Daily smiling at the camera in the opening of Harry Seggu’s video Are You a Sprouter? — Nuseir Yassin, 0:09

Harry Seggu, in a white shirt, smiling as he presents his video Are You a Sprouter? from a desk — Harry Seggu, 0:12

Stills from Are You a Sprouter?

Based inIpoh, Perak, Malaysia
FounderRochford’s Education Group
FounderPoket School AI
FounderIpoh – The City of Millionaires
FounderThe Sprouter (2014)
AuthorThe You Economy (2010)
HostPoket Talks podcast
EducationLLB Law, Thames Valley University, London

The movement

Ipoh – The City of Millionaires

Born in Ipoh.
Built for the World.

Harry Seggu founded Ipoh – The City of Millionaires to revive Ipoh’s legacy as a hub of opportunity and success.

At its heart is the daily story series Born in Ipoh. Built for the World., telling the stories of people born in Ipoh who built for the world.

Read the Ipoh stories → Talks & Leadership Award →

Education

Rochford’s Education Group and Poket School AI

Founder

Rochford’s Education Group

Based in Ipoh, Rochford’s Education Group runs Rochford’s International School, an approved IGCSE international school from primary to secondary.

Two campuses: Falim and Ipoh Garden, Ipoh
Dual Pearson Edexcel and OxfordAQA IGCSE
Pioneers of dual IGCSE in Perak
Pearson Excellence Award 2020

WhatsApp admissions

Founder

Poket School AI

Harry Seggu is also the founder of Poket School AI.

Poket School is an online learning platform with named ET AI teachers for each subject, for learners from Primary to A-Levels, degree to Masters and PhD, and adults in professional development or independent learning. Parents and schools can follow progress in one place, and Poket SafeLine gives students a private way to report a concern. It was built with Rochford’s International School, Ipoh.

The book

The You Economy

The You Economy: How Digital Media Is Changing the Online Economy

by Harry Seggu

Harry’s book explores how digital and social media are changing the online economy, and what that shift means for business opportunity.

First edition30 April 2010 (ebook 2012)
ISBN978-983-44445-0-1
LengthApprox. 240 pages

The launch of The You Economy, 2010

Photos from the book's launch in 2010. The launch board reads “officially launched by Tengku Dato' Zafrul Aziz on 10 July 2010”.

Harry Seggu in a dark suit speaking into a microphone and gesturing towards a display of The You Economy, with a bookstore backdrop — Harry speaks at the launch of The You Economy, with copies of the book on display.

Harry Seggu seated at a table signing a copy of The You Economy, with the launch board on an easel behind him — Harry signs a copy of The You Economy at the launch.

Harry Seggu and a guest in a checked shirt holding The You Economy, beside an easel with the book launch board — Harry with a guest holding a copy of the book. The board reads “officially launched by Tengku Dato' Zafrul Aziz on 10 July 2010”.

A man in glasses signing the The You Economy launch board on an easel while Harry Seggu watches and smiles — A guest signs the launch board as Harry looks on. The board reads “officially launched by Tengku Dato' Zafrul Aziz on 10 July 2010”.

Harry Seggu and a man in glasses standing either side of the signed The You Economy launch board, in front of a bookstore backdrop — Harry and a guest beside the signed launch board.

A man in glasses speaking into a microphone while Harry Seggu sits and applauds behind him — A guest speaks at the launch while Harry listens.

Harry Seggu standing with three men in a bookstore aisle — Harry with guests at the launch.

Harry Seggu standing beside two men shaking hands in a bookstore — Harry looks on as two guests shake hands.

Harry Seggu standing with a guest in a grey T-shirt in front of a bookstore backdrop — Harry with a guest in front of the launch backdrop.

Harry Seggu talking with two men in a bookstore — Harry chats with guests in the bookstore.

Ipoh – The City of Millionaires

Award Recipients

The Ipoh – The City of Millionaires Leadership Award

The Ipoh – The City of Millionaires Leadership Award is given by our founder, Harry Seggu, under Ipoh – The City of Millionaires, to recognise leadership. Here are the people who have received it so far, and why their stories matter to Ipoh and Perak. See the award presentations →

Louis Rozario Doss

Former Principal, St Michael's Institution, Ipoh

A son of two Perak La Salle schools, Louis Rozario Doss studied at St Michael's Institution, Ipoh, and St Anthony's, Teluk Intan, and later came back to lead both. He was principal of St Michael's from 1998/1999 to 2005, by his own account the first old boy to hold the post, in years when its debaters were twice national runners-up. He went on to lead the Tenby Sixth Form in Ipoh, where his students staged Shakespeare. A lifelong teacher, he still keeps his schools' memories alive.

Harry Seggu presents Ceylyn Tay with the framed Ipoh – The City of Millionaires Leadership Award

Ceylyn Tay Wei Lung

Co-founder, Canning Dim Sum; Managing Director, Team Some Sdn Bhd

Ceylyn Tay co-founded Canning Dim Sum in a corner bungalow in Canning Garden, Ipoh, in June 2018, answering years of requests from Muslim customers for halal dim sum, something her husband's bun-making family had never made. As managing director of Team Some, she has helped grow it into an Ipoh halal dim sum maker whose products are exported to markets from the Gulf to Melbourne. In 2026, she was named the Perak Inspirational Women Icon for 2026/2027.

Harry Seggu with Datuk Seri Nelson Kwok, who holds the framed Ipoh – The City of Millionaires Leadership Award

Datuk Seri Nelson Kwok JP

Founder, Nelson's Franchise (M) Sdn Bhd · Honorary Consul of the Republic of Mozambique in Malaysia

Datuk Seri Nelson Kwok turned a simple idea, sweet corn freshly steamed, buttered and served in a cup, into one of Malaysia's best-known homegrown snack brands. A toy-shop owner who began selling corn in the early 1980s, he built Nelson's into a franchise with outlets across Malaysia and abroad, from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia. Its own N28 sweet corn is processed at the company's plant in Chemor, just north of Ipoh, keeping a Malaysian success story rooted in Perak soil.

Datuk Lim Si Boon

Executive Chairman, Bonanza Venture Holdings

Datuk Lim Si Boon leads Bonanza Venture Holdings, the Ipoh group his late father, Dato' Lim Keng Kay, founded as a mining consultancy, with interests in property, Meru Valley Resort, Ban Hoe Seng Auto and education. An engineer by training, he grew Tenby Schools from its Ipoh roots into a group of campuses across Malaysia, and was honoured by Queen's University Belfast for services to education. His group's Ipoh headquarters, 1 Lasam, reportedly Perak's first GBI Platinum green building, also opens its doors to heritage and community groups.

Datuk Haji Mohd Odzman bin Abd Kadir

President, Perak Tourism Association

Datuk Haji Mohd Odzman bin Abd Kadir has led the Perak Tourism Association for more than a decade, acting as a bridge between the state's tourism players and its government. He has been a steady voice for Perak: urging that Pangkor Island be given its own signature attraction, and calling for the state to be promoted as a safe destination as Covid-19 eased. Under his leadership, the association reportedly contributed an 'IPOH' landmark sign to the city in 2024.

Social enterprise

The Sprouter

Founded by Harry Seggu in August 2014, The Sprouter is a social enterprise and global community devoted to positivity, innovation, service and entrepreneurship.

It empowers socially conscious changemakers through events and networking, and helps people “sprout” by unlocking their talent.

In 2014, The Sprouter organised a charity drive to Simpang Pulai, Perak, raising about RM1,500 in goods for families whose children were not in school.

“This is one way that we can spread the seeds of hope.”— Harry Seggu, on The Sprouter’s 2014 charity drive to Simpang Pulai

Audience listening to a speaker at a Sprout Talks event — Sprout Talks

Harry Seggu with speakers and guests at a Sprout Talks event, in front of a mural reading 'do you have a dream?' — Sprout Talks

Community

Championing Ipoh’s Athletes

As founder of Ipoh – The City of Millionaires, Harry champions people from Ipoh who build success through discipline and hard work. Two of them are fitness athletes Jason Chua and Firdauz Fuad.

Fitness creator & bodybuilder

Jason Chua

Jason Chua is an Ipoh-raised fitness creator and competitive bodybuilder with more than 150,000 TikTok followers, sharing training, nutrition and bodybuilding advice in English and Malay. He turned his own weight-loss journey into a coaching mission, competes in heavyweight bodybuilding and, by his own account, is a two-time Mr Kedah champion (2025).

Instagram @jasonthechua TikTok @jasonmatthewchua

Classic Physique athlete

Firdauz Fuad

Firdauz Fuad is a competitive bodybuilder and online coach from Ipoh who competes in Men’s Classic Physique. He won the overall Classic Physique title at the 2025 NPC Worldwide Global Classic Regional Malaysia, and his sponsor Pharmagain reports a class win at an IFBB Pro qualifier in Malaysia in October 2026. By his own account, he is a Nutrition Pro athlete representing Fit First Malaysia.

Instagram @firdauz_fuad

Along the way

Along the Way

Some of the people our founder, Harry Seggu, has met along the way: authors, entertainers, leaders, entrepreneurs and Ipoh community voices.

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a blue shirt, with Mark Victor Hansen, who rests a hand on his shoulder — With Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of Chicken Soup for the Soul

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a black velvet jacket, with Lord Bilimoria in a grey suit and red tie — With Lord Bilimoria, crossbench member of the UK House of Lords and founder of Cobra Beer

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a black jacket, shakes hands with Tim Campbell in a pinstriped suit and blue tie — With Tim Campbell MBE, winner of the first series of The Apprentice (UK)

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a blue floral shirt, gives a thumbs-up with Datin Janet Yeoh in a yellow top — With Datin Janet Yeoh, mother of Michelle Yeoh

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a blue floral shirt, with Megan in a white top and Bobby Yeoh in a white T-shirt and glasses — With Bobby Yeoh, Michelle Yeoh's brother, and his wife Megan

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a checked shirt, with Paul McGee in a white shirt — With Paul McGee, author of SUMO (Shut Up, Move On)

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a light blue shirt and tie, shakes hands with Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz — With Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz, former Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a striped shirt, with Datuk Chef Wan in a pink floral shirt at a food stall — With Datuk Chef Wan, celebrity chef

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a selfie with Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir — With Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, social activist and writer

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a black shirt, with Datuk Lat, who wears glasses and a grey-green shirt — With Datuk Lat, cartoonist and creator of The Kampung Boy

Our founder, Harry Seggu, hands a copy of his book The You Economy to Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz — Presenting his book, The You Economy, to Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a red polo shirt, with Teresa Kok in glasses and a white top with a sequinned bow — With Teresa Kok, Member of Parliament for Seputeh and former Minister of Primary Industries

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a black shirt, shakes hands with Khairy Jamaluddin in a checked shirt — With Khairy Jamaluddin, former Minister of Health

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a black shirt, presents a copy of his book The You Economy to Jagdeep Singh Deo in a pink floral shirt — Presenting his book, The You Economy, to Jagdeep Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a red shirt, with his arm around Kee Thuan Chye in glasses and a maroon shirt — With Kee Thuan Chye, playwright, actor and journalist

Our founder, Harry Seggu, with Patrick Teoh, both in black shirts, at a restaurant — With Patrick Teoh, broadcaster and actor, the “Voice of Malaysia”

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a white cap and white jacket, with Dya Singh in a white turban — With Dya Singh, Sikh musician

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a red polo shirt, with Datuk Ramli Ibrahim in an orange vest in front of a brick wall — With Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, dancer and choreographer

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a black shirt, stands beside Datuk Rumaizi Baharin in a light blue shirt and glasses in a function hall — With Datuk Rumaizi Baharin, former Mayor of Ipoh

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a The You Economy T-shirt, beside Puan Sri Dato' Sandra Lee in an orange top, in front of a floral mural — With Puan Sri Dato' Sandra Lee at the Ipoh – The City of Millionaires talk

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a The You Economy T-shirt, with Dato' Gan Tack Kong in a white linen shirt — With Dato' Gan Tack Kong, Executive Chairman of Ngan Yin Food Industries

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a The You Economy T-shirt, smiling beside SeeFoon Chan Koppen in a black and yellow dress — With veteran journalist SeeFoon Chan Koppen

Selfie of our founder, Harry Seggu, with Cedric Chin, who has a python draped over his shoulders — With Cedric Chin, snake handler, the “Snake Man” of Ipoh

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a black T-shirt, and Ignatius Chew in a red checked shirt give a thumbs-up and hold a small gold statuette at the YLCO Museum — With Ignatius Chew, founder and curator of the YLCO Museum, Ipoh

Hanson Lau, with grey hair and glasses in a white mandarin-collar shirt, sits beside our founder, Harry Seggu, at a wooden café table — With Hanson Lau, son of Dato' Seri Lau Pak Khuan

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a striped shirt, with Shihan Francis Ramasamy, who wears a black martial-arts jacket — With Shihan Francis Ramasamy of Mushinkan Aikido, Penang

Our founder, Harry Seggu, seated beside Professor Malcolm Davies, who holds an Ealing Law School brochure, in front of an orange painting — With Professor Malcolm Davies, criminologist and co-author of Criminal Justice

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a black shirt, in a group selfie with three others beneath Google's letter-o wall art — At Google's office in Kuala Lumpur

Our founder, Harry Seggu, in a checked shirt in front of a mountain backdrop, in a video-call grid with the seminar's moderators and students — Speaking at an online seminar on effective communication hosted by Karaganda Medical University, Kazakhstan, 2021

Five speakers, including our founder, Harry Seggu, give a thumbs-up inside ZUS Coffee, Taman Jubilee, Ipoh — With fellow speakers Sundralingam, Anna Aziz, Andrew Chen and KT Pillai, 10 May 2025

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Who is Harry Seggu?

Harry Seggu is an Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia education entrepreneur and author, founder of Rochford’s Education Group, Poket School AI and Ipoh – The City of Millionaires. He also founded The Sprouter, hosts the Poket Talks podcast, wrote The You Economy (2010) and holds an LLB in Law from Thames Valley University, London.

What is Ipoh – The City of Millionaires?

Ipoh – The City of Millionaires is an initiative founded by Harry Seggu to revive Ipoh’s legacy as a hub of opportunity and success. Its daily story series, Born in Ipoh. Built for the World., is published at rochfords.edu.my/blogs/ipoh-stories.

What is The You Economy about?

The You Economy: How Digital Media Is Changing the Online Economy is a book by Harry Seggu, first published in 2010 (ISBN 978-983-44445-0-1). It looks at how digital and social media are changing the online economy and business opportunity.

What is The Sprouter?

The Sprouter is a social enterprise and global community founded by Harry Seggu in August 2014, devoted to positivity, innovation, service and entrepreneurship. It empowers socially conscious changemakers through events and networking and helps people unlock their talent.

Connect

Connect with Harry

Instagram@harryseggu

LinkedInHarry Seggu

Rochford’s admissions (WhatsApp)+60 10-253 9817