As a result, the Axiata board has appointed Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan (pictured below) as Tan Sri Ghazzali's (pictured above) successor, effective as of 1 January 2022 with the transition in December 2021.
“Tan Sri Ghazzali has been exemplary in his service to the Board spanning 13 years with Axiata. I have been privileged to work with him on the Board both as a colleague as well as reporting to him in my current role," said Dato’ Izzaddin Idris, Axiata's president & group chief executive officer.
“On behalf of the Board and management of Axiata, I wish to record and express our heartfelt respect and gratitude to Tan Sri Ghazzali and wish him the best for the future."
“We are also very pleased to welcome Tan Sri Shahril as our next Chairman. We certainly appreciate his familiarity with Axiata’s businesses and at the same time, with his expertise, experience and extensive network of relationships, we look forward to the new insights and challenges he will inspire.
Tan Sri Ghazzali was first appointed to Axiata's board in March 2008 and assumed the role of the chairman of the board on 1 November 2018 following a short period where he served as interim chairman in mid-2018.
Under his leadership, Axiata expanded its footprint in 11 countries across ASEAN and South Asia. He was also part of the founding board responsible for Axiata’s rise into a globally recognised MNC-quality institution.
“There is no greater honour for me than to have served from the earliest days in this remarkable organisation that has shown us all the power of imagination, ambition and diligence. I am indebted to my fellow Board members for your collective trust, support and cooperation over the years," said Tan Sri Ghazzali.
“I would also like to welcome Tan Sri Shahril as my successor. I have great faith in the fresh stewardship he will bring to this role.
“I would like to thank the Board for entrusting me with this appointment. I welcome this opportunity to contribute and look forward to working with the Board and management towards continuing the good work by Tan Sri Ghazzali in future-proofing Axiata in sustainable and inclusive ways.”
During his tenure, Tan Sri Ghazzali has also been a fervent champion of the Axiata Foundation which he chaired since its incorporation in April 2011. Once he leaves the role at the end of the year, Tan Sri Ghazzali will continue to chair the Foundation.
In addition, Tan Sri Ghazzali also serves as non-executive director of Malaysia Airlines Berhad and Malaysia Aviation Group Berhad. Between August 2018 to August 2021, he led Khazanah Nasional Berhad as its managing director.
He also served as chief executive officer of the Employees Provident Fund from April 2013 to August 2018 and served as its deputy chief executive officer of investment for approximately three years. Prior to this, Tan Sri Shahril served as Group Managing Director at Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad, from September 2003 and November 2009.
