Axiata appoints joint acting group CEOs as Izzaddin Idris steps down

Axiata president and group chief executive officer Datuk Izzaddin Idris

KUALA LUMPUR: Axiata Group Bhd has appointed Dr Hans Wijayasuria and Vivek Sood as interim joint acting group chief executive officers effective June 1, 2022 as Datuk Izzaddin Idris steps down.

The telco, in a statement, said Izzaddin will step down from his position as president & group chief executive officer (group CEO) effective May 31.

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His stepping down is based on a mutual cessation of his service contract between him and Axiata.

Hans is currently Axiata’s telecommunications business and group executive vice president and Vivek is the group chief financial officer.

They will retain their current positions and portfolios. The board does not expect to make additional structural or senior leadership changes in the near term.

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“The Board thanks Izzaddin for his wisdom, leadership and contributions in steering the group over the past two years. He took the helm on Jan 1, 2021, at the height of the Covid-19 crisis, after serving as deputy group CEO since January 2020.

“He has been instrumental in shaping the group's strategic response to secure stability and business continuity in the face of daunting and unprecedented challenges across many aspects of our operations,” chairman Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan said.

“Having served as a member of Axiata’s Board since November 2016, he was steadfast in translating the Axiata 5.0 Vision into execution. He rallied the team, building on Axiata’s modern, agile and digital culture to deliver several significant milestones that have placed the group on a solid trajectory to capture new growth areas for a sustainable future,” he added.

Shahril said the appointment of Hans and Vivek as joint acting group CEOs would ensure continuity.

“In the appointment of Hans and Vivek as joint group CEOs, we have two industry stalwarts who are very familiar with Axiata’s businesses. They are both strongly grounded in our culture and deeply committed to the success of our ventures,” he added.