KUALA LUMPUR: UEM Group Bhd has appointed Datuk Amran Hafiz Affifudin as its managing director (MD) effective immediately, succeeding Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani who stepped down on July 31 to lead Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).
Before this appointment, Amran served as the executive director and head of sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd.
This confirmed Business Times' report yesterday that Amran would assume his new role at UEM as early as today, following the departure of Izani to be MAHB's MD.
UEM, in a statement today, also announced the appointment of Khazanah chief investment officer Datuk Hisham Hamdan as its chairman, the post previously held by Amran.
Khazanah MD Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir said Amran will lead Khazanah's domestic investment initiatives in the infrastructure sector.
Amran will spearhead UEM's growth and expansion in areas like renewable energy, aligning with Khazanah's focus on accelerating the decarbonisation of cities and industrial parks, and will continue to prioritise value creation within UEM's subsidiaries, he said.
Meanwhile, Hisham - who joined Khazanah in April 2011 and currently its CIO, is responsible for managing the company's diverse investment portfolio.
Since 2018, he has led Khazanah's public markets investments, which span over 10 countries worldwide, encompassing both developed and emerging markets, with a focus on systematic and quantamental investment strategies.
Prior to public markets, Hisham was responsible for the automotive, agrifood and Iskandar Malaysia in Khazanah's portfolio, and served as executive director of research.
Additionally, he served as chairman of UDA Holdings Bhd, as well as a board member of Iskandar Investment Bhd.
UEM said Hisham's appointment as chairman signals the importance of the group to Khazanah in executing its strategy of advancing Malaysia.
"As CIO of Khazanah and chairman of UEM, he will play a key role in ensuring seamless coordination between the two organisations. With his vast experience and proven leadership, Hisham will lead the board and guide the management of UEM in achieving its strategic and financial goals," Amirul said.
With over 30 years of experience across a variety of corporate structures, Hisham also serves as chairman of UEM Sunrise Bhd and the board of trustees of Khazanah Research Institute.
Before joining Khazanah in 2011, he was head of strategy at Sime Darby Bhd and subsequently served as executive vice president of Sime Darby's businesses in the healthcare and utility sectors, as well as in China.
Hisham spent the first 12 years of his career as an equity analyst and investment banker.