PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan will succeed Tan Sri Ghazzali Sheikh Abdul Khalid as chairman of Axiata Group Bhd following the latter’s planned retirement at the end of the year.

       In a statement, Axiata said the transition will take place on Jan 1, 2022, when Shahril will begin his tenure as the new chairman of the telecommunications group. Shahril was appointed to the Axiata Board as an independent non-executive director on Nov 29, 2021.

       Presently, he is a non-executive director of Malaysia Airlines Bhd and Malaysia Aviation Group Bhd, where he chairs the board nomination and remuneration committee.

       From Aug 20, 2018, to Aug 19, 2021, he was the managing director of Khazanah Nasional.He was also previously CEO at the Employees Provident Fund and group managing director at Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd.

       Tan Sri Ghazzali Sheikh Abdul Khalid outgoing chairman

       “The telecommunications industry is well-poised to serve the digital needs of nations and communities seeking recovery and growth in the post pandemic environment. It is an opportune time to position Axiata for increased value creation across the region.

       “I welcome this opportunity to contribute and look forward to working with the board and management towards continuing the good work by Ghazzali in future-proofing Axiata in sustainable and inclusive ways,” said Shahril.

       Meanwhile, president and group CEO Datuk Izzaddin Idris said Ghazzali was instrumental in engineering a meticulous succession plan for the mission critical change in senior leadership at Axiata.

       “I took great comfort in the stewardship and guidance extended during his leadership.” he said.