Axiata names Dr Hans, Vivek as interim joint acting CEOs

KUALA LUMPUR: Dr Hans Wijayasuria and Vivek Sood have been appointed as Axiata Group Sdn Bhd (Axiata)’s interim joint acting group chief executive officers (CEO) effective June 1, 2022, as its president and group CEO Datuk Izzaddin Idris steps down.

Izzaddin will step down from his positions effective May 31, based on the mutual cessation of his service contract with Axiata.

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

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

“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,” said chairman Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan in a statement.

Shahril added Izzaddin had served as a member of Axiata’s board since November 2016 and 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 said.