KUALA LUMPUR: Axiata Group Bhd has appointed Thomas Hundt as group chief strategy & technology officer with immediate effect.

       Hundt, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Smart Axiata in Cambodia since 2013, will relocate to the group's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

       Feiruz Ikhwan, chief financial officer of Smart in the meantime will assume the role of Acting CEO.

       Axiata said Hundt will be pivotal in driving Group-wide innovation and technological advancement in the region and beyond and will be instrumental in securing new and long-term growth opportunities as the Group strengthens its top management to deliver its ambitious digital transformation agenda.

       Axiata appointed Hundt as Group Executive Vice President of Group Technology in 2020.

       “I am excited to welcome Thomas into his new dynamic role to help future-proof the Group as we navigate the ambitious path forward to become the Next Generation Digital Champion," president and Group CEO Datuk Izzaddin Idris said in a statement today.

       "As we continue to execute on the Axiata 5.0 strategy, Thomas’ insights and passion will come to fore, especially in how we manage customer experiences and transition into the most efficient technologies in delivering digital services across our markets.”