Lee quits as BFood CEO to assume bigger role at Bermaz Auto

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Francis Lee Kok Chuan (pic) has resigned as Berjaya Food Bhd (BFood) chief executive officer effective June 1 as he takes on the post of executive director at Mazda vehicle distributor Bermaz Auto Bhd.

BFood, which operates the Kenny Rogers Roasters and Starbucks outlets in Malaysia, told Bursa Malaysia that Lee stepped down after seven years at the helm due to “his work commitments at Bermaz Auto Bhd.”

Bermaz Auto (formerly Berjaya Auto Bhd) is at present working towards listing its indirect subsidiary, Bermaz Auto Philippines Inc, on the main board of the Philippine stock exchange.

The circular to shareholders in February gave the tentative listing date as early April 2017.

Lee was formerly a non-executive director at Bermaz Auto, in which he has an interest of 15.2%. Other than CEO Datuk Seri Yeoh Choon San, there is no executive director on Bermaz Auto’s board.

Taking on Lee’s CEO position at BFood is executive director Sydney Lawrance Quays, 48.

Quays, a pioneer with BFood’s unit Berjaya Starbucks Coffee Company Sdn Bhd, was appointed BFood executive director on Jan 12.

He joined Berjaya Starbucks in 1998 as marketing and merchandise manager.  

Subsequently, Quays was appointed as managing director of BStarbucks on Oct 31, 2012, and Berjaya Food Supreme Sdn Bhd, BFood’s indirect subsidiary, on Sept 24, 2013.

He was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation decisions for both Berjaya Starbucks and Berjaya Food Supreme.