Axiata names Vivek Sood as new Group CEO

KUALA LUMPUR: Axiata Group Berhad announced the appointment of Vivek Sood as its new Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director, effective 24 March 2023, redesignating him from the Joint Interim CEO role he previously jointly held with Dr Hans Wijayasuriya.

Vivek was also the Group Chief Financial Officer (GCFO).

Axiata also announced the appointment of Dr Hans Wijayasuriya as Group Executive Director (ED) and CEO of Telco Business.

With Vivek’s promotion as the Group CEO, Lila Azmin Abdullah is now appointed as the Acting Group CFO.

Lila is currently the Group Chief Corporate Development Officer at Axiata.

Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, Chairman of Axiata, said that the board is happy with Vivek's appointment as the Group CEO.

"The Board is happy to appoint Vivek as our new Group CEO and have Dr Hans take the position of Group ED.

"Their track record of success as our joint interim CEOs puts them in the ideal position to lead Axiata into the future and ensures continuity of our strategies.

“The completion of the Celcom-Digi merger at the end of last year was due to their skillful leadership in closing a complex transaction.

"That has created the largest Malaysian telco, under the capable leadership of the best Malaysian talent in our Group.

"This allows Axiata to now focus on our strategic goals in our other markets, primarily South Asia and Indonesia, and to drive further innovation and value in our digital infrastructure and services businesses," said Shahril.

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Vivek Sood

Vivek has over two decades of industry experience in multiple countries.

Previously serving as its Group Chief Officer (CFO) for almost six years, he was also appointed as one of the joint interim CEOs for the Group in 2022, when then-Group CEO, Datuk Izzadin Idris stepped down from his position as President & Group Chief Executive Officer (Group CEO) of Axiata effective 31 May 2022.

In Vivek's new role as Group CEO, he will lead the company's strategic growth initiatives, including the expansion of 5G and digital infrastructure and service offerings.

He will also be responsible for driving innovation, improving the customer experience across operating companies throughout Asia and creating value for shareholders.

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Dr Hans Wijayasuriya

Dr Hans' appointment as the new Group Executive Director (“ED”) and CEO of Telco Business, will be a continuity of his leadership at the group.

He is a veratan in the telecommunications industry with over 30 years of experience, and was also joint interim CEO together with Vivek Sood.

Hans has held leadership positions across the Axiata Group for many years.