Simon Burbury, Master, Marlborough College Malaysia

Marlborough College Malaysia (MCM) opened its doors in 2012 as the first overseas campus of the prestigious Marlborough College UK. Operating as a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation, MCM is a genuine extension of the UK College, which has been educating pupils for over 175 years. Situated on a 90-acre purpose-built site in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, MCM offers a co-educational, British-based boarding and day education for pupils aged 3 to 18. The College was formally opened by HRH Raja Zarith Sofiah Binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah, consort to the Sultan of Johor, on February 24, 2013, solidifying its place as a key part of the EduCity development and the wider regeneration of the Iskandar region. With strong values rooted in holistic development, academic excellence, and global citizenship, MCM has quickly established itself as one of the region’s leading international schools, combining the heritage of a top British independent school with the vibrancy and opportunity of Southeast Asia.

What are some of your organisation’s proudest moments/milestones in Malaysia?

Marlborough College Malaysia has achieved a number of significant milestones since its foundation. We have been consistently recognised as a world-class school, most recently winning the Boarding Schools’ Association’s “International School of the Year” award, as part of their “Supporting Excellence Awards 2025”. This is on the back of being awarded “International School of the Year” in the first-ever Tes Awards for International Schools, in 2024. And we are consistently recognised by Carfax Education and the Spear’s Schools Index as one of the top private schools globally. We also have a 5-star rating from the Ministry of Education.

Academically, our pupils regularly achieve “world-beating” IB Diploma results, including numerous Outstanding Pearson Learner Awards for top marks globally in IGCSE subjects. We hold British School Overseas accreditation and are proud to have been awarded “Beacon School Status” by the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), recognising our exceptional pastoral care and wellbeing provision.

Like many schools, MCM faced significant challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic, with our enrolment falling from nearly 1,000 to 730 pupils almost overnight. However, the strength of our community enabled us to remain resilient. Today, the College is thriving — we reopened two previously mothballed boarding houses in 2024 and celebrated reaching 1,000 pupils in March 2025. Our boarding programme is once again flourishing.

Our pupils are deeply engaged in Outreach, regularly participating in service projects with local communities.

We regularly host international events, from sports tournaments and conferences to the ICC U19 Women’s World Cup and the New Zealand All Blacks Rugby 7s training sessions. This has helped position us as a hub of excellence in the region.

Above all, our proudest achievement is the diverse, dynamic, and compassionate community we have built — one that reflects the very best of both British and Malaysian values.

Describe your operations in Malaysia

Marlborough College Malaysia (MCM) operates on a purpose-built 90-acre campus in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, and currently educates just over 1000 pupils from over 45 nationalities and employs more than 300 staff, including a diverse and highly qualified teaching body, the majority of whom are British-trained. Our facilities extend beyond the usual high expectations of a world-class education facility to include an organic farm, boating and fishing lake, forest school, golf driving range and a climbing arena. MCM delivers a world-class British education to pupils aged 3 to 18 and has grown to become a flagship international school in the region, winning numerous awards and accolades.

Based on your overall experience of doing business in Malaysia, name the advantages and challenges of doing business in Malaysia.

Malaysia offers a compelling proposition for international education providers. The country’s strategic location, political stability, and growth potential—particularly in Iskandar Malaysia with our proximity to Singapore and the potential that the Single Economic Zone should bring—make it an ideal base. Furthermore, Malaysia’s cultural diversity aligns closely with Marlborough’s ethos of global citizenship. However, one of the key challenges lies in navigating the regulatory landscape, particularly in areas such as expatriate employment, immigration, and tax. Despite this, the overall environment remains conducive and welcoming for quality institutions such as ours.

Based on your experience in operating in Malaysia, what are the 3 most important criteria for achieving business success in Malaysia?

Firstly, building strong local relationships—whether with government agencies, educational partners, or the wider community—is vital. Secondly, maintaining a commitment to quality and consistency in delivery is essential in building long-term trust with Malaysian and international families. Finally, cultural adaptability is key. While our foundation is British, our success comes from honouring and integrating Malaysian, as well as international, values and perspectives into the fabric of the College experience.

How do you see your business growth and prospects in Malaysia now?

The outlook for Marlborough College Malaysia is very positive. Demand for high-quality international education continues to grow, particularly as Malaysia positions itself as an educational hub within ASEAN. Our enrolments remain strong, with continued interest from expatriate and local families seeking a holistic and rigorous British education. We have big ambitions for further campus developments, which include a new Sixth Form Centre, and enhancements to our academic and co-curricular offerings. With Malaysia’s continued commitment to educational excellence and international engagement, we are confident in our long-term growth and impact in the region.

 

What are the top 3 reasons for your organisation joining the BMCC?

• Connection: To build strong links with other British schools as well as British and Malaysian businesses, fostering shared opportunities in education, innovation, and community engagement.
• Representation: To ensure that Marlborough College Malaysia is part of the conversation on the future of British education and enterprise in Malaysia.
• Collaboration: To explore meaningful partnerships that can enrich the pupil experience, broaden our outreach, and support UK and Malaysian development goals.

 

What is the top value you see for yourself or your organisation in being a member of the BMCC?

Industry advocacy and influence: As a member of the BMCC’s Education Committee, we can contribute to discussions and collectively advocate for policies that impact the education sector, such as teacher/support staff hiring and qualifications, employment law and immigration, and ensuring a supportive environment for British education in Malaysia.

In one sentence, how would you describe your own experience or your organisation’s experience as a member of the BMCC?

Our experience with the BMCC has been invaluable, offering a dynamic forum for dialogue, partnership, and purpose, and ensuring that Marlborough College Malaysia remains outward-facing, relevant, and engaged within the wider British-Malaysian landscape.