Lay Koon Tan, is originally from Malaysia but came to the UK in 1977 and studied at the London School of Economics in the early 1980’s. From there she embarked on a remarkable career which saw her work within financial sector, before creating a new business which seeks to preserve and promote the value of artisanal skills based in emerging markets.

As a graduate, Lay Koon worked her way through the ranks at global accounting firm Arthur Andersen, becoming one of the youngest partners and one of the few female partners. Lay Koon went onto to consult numerous FTSE 100 companies including leading European Stock Exchanges and the Bank of England in the 1990’s.

Lay Koon has always been singularly focused and determined and it was following her career in the UK and Europe that she pursued an alternative career alongside business partner Paul Hoeve, (a senior colleague whom she previously worked alongside at Arthur Andersen) based in Switzerland.  Together they created Nature Squared, a sustainable business focusing on bespoke luxury and sustainable surface design applications.

Sixteen years later, Nature Squared is synonymous with quality and handwork, embodying Lay Koon’s original values and ambitions thanks to its 200 strong work force and with employees based in Europe, Middle East and the Far East.