Byron Yip steps down as Okada Manila president; Nobuki Sato to take over
Nobuki Sato (left) and Byron Yip (right)
Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment, Inc. (TRLEI), the operator of Okada Manila, announced a change in leadership with President and Chief Operating Officer Byron Yip handing over the reins of the company to Nobuki Sato by Sept. 15, 2025.
In a statement, Okada Manila said the significant leadership transition comes after Yip marks seven years of dedicated service to the company.
Okada said Yip is “concluding his tenure to embark on the next chapter of his career, while continuing to oversee daily operations and supporting the leadership transition through September 2025.”
Sato, who is Senior Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of parent company Universal Entertainment Corporation (UEC) of Japan, will assume the role of President and COO next month.
He has sat on the TRLEI Board of Directors since March 2023 and brings over 20 years of extensive leadership experience in hospitality, finance, and strategic operations.
“Byron Yip’s leadership has been instrumental in establishing Okada Manila as a leading destination in the region, exemplified by our achievement of the Forbes 5-Star rating—the largest Forbes 5-star Integrated Resort in the Philippines to receive this distinction for the sixth consecutive year—and the successful execution of key expansion initiatives,” said Tomohiro Okada, Representative Director and President of Universal Entertainment Corporation.
He added that, “We extend our heartfelt appreciation for Byron’s contributions and are pleased that he will continue to support the organization to ensure a seamless transition.
“We are confident that Nobuki Sato’s proven expertise in operational and financial management will guide Okada Manila into its next phase of strategic growth and innovation.”
The company said this leadership transition reflects its ongoing commitment to operational excellence and long-term value creation.