KUALA LUMPUR: Axiata Group Bhd has appointed Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan as an independent non-executive director effective from today.
In an exchange filing today, Axiata said Shahril, 51, currently serves as a non-executive director of Malaysia Airlines Bhd and Malaysia Aviation Group Bhd, where he chairs the board nomination and remuneration committee.
Axiata chairman Tan Sri Ghazzali Sheikh Abdul Khalid said the board was pleased to welcome Shahril, a natural fit as a board member.
"Not only is he a highly accomplished corporate leader, he is no stranger to Axiata's operations thanks to his previous roles," he said in a statement.
In addition to his solid experience in leading national organisations, Ghazzali said Shahril has a strong understanding of what was needed for Axiata's continuing trajectory as the group manoeuvre new normal complexities and unlock new growth moving forward.
Axiata president and group chief executive officer Datuk Izzaddin Idris said the group was actively positioning to rise above industry and macroeconomic challenges to drive sustainable growth across its markets, while becoming the Next Generation Digital Champion by 2024.
"In this future-proofing journey, as we navigate intricate investment decisions, execute on portfolio optimisation and seek to enhance value creation, we are fortunate to have Shahril to further strengthen our eminent line-up of board members.
"The team and I look forward to his stewardship in guiding Axiata to deliver greater value as a trusted and reliable partner to the customers, communities, countries, regulators and investors that we serve across our footprint," he added.
Shahril had led Khazanah Nasional Bhd as managing director from August 20, 2018 to August 19 this year, where he revamped the national sovereign fund's investment strategy in line with the mandate to deliver higher and more sustainable returns.
He was also the Employees Provident Fund chief executive officer from April 16, 2013 to August 18, 2018 after having served as deputy chief executive officer (investment) for over three years.
He led the digitisation of the retirement savings fund, connecting 16 million members and 800,000 employers.
Shahril also was the group managing director at Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd between September 1, 2003 and November 2009.
He holds a Master of Arts (First Class) from Cambridge University and Bachelor of Civil Law (First Class) from Oxford University.