Tan Sri Syed Anwar Jamalullail began his career with Malaysian Airlines Systems Berhad in 1975 as a Financial Accountant, before moving on to hold senior positions in various companies. His last position was as Group Managing Director of Amanah Capital Partners Berhad. He is the former Chairman of the Lembaga Tabung Haji Investment Panel. Tan Sri Syed Anwar was also the former Chairman of Cahya Mata Sarawak, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, Media Prima Berhad, MRCB Berhad, DRB-Hicom Berhad, EON Bank Berhad, Uni Asia Life Assurance Berhad, Uni Asia General Insurance Berhad and the Executive Chairman of Realmild (M) Sdn Bhd and Radicare (M) Sdn Bhd. He was also formerly an independent director of Maxis Communications Berhad and Bangkok Bank Berhad.
Currently, Tan Sri Syed Anwar is the Chairman of SP Setia Berhad, Nestle (M) Berhad and Lembaga Zakat Selangor.
Tan Sri Syed Anwar holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, having qualified in 1974. He is also a Chartered Accountant and a Certified Practising Account (Australia).