Axiata appoints Khoo Gaik Bee as director

• Brings experience from a 37-year career in human resource management
• Retired as executive director/human resource director of Guinness Anchor in 2006

AXIATA Group Bhd on Nov 23 announced the appointment of Khoo Gaik Bee (pic) as the group’s newest director, further enhancing its Board’s capacity and diversity in line with its commitment to the highest standards in corporate governance. She will join the Axiata Board as Independent non-executive director (INED) effective Jan 1, 2019.

Khoo brings a wealth of experience from a progressive 37-year career spanning the entire spectrum of Human Resource Management.

She served at several international and Malaysian corporates including Digital Equipment Malaysia, ICI Paints (M) Sdn Bhd, Sunway Group of Companies, and Arthur Young & Co, among others, before retiring as executive director/human resource director of Guinness Anchor Bhd in 2006.

Some of her key achievements include successful merger and acquisition integration initiatives and negotiations with in-house unions. During her tenure in employment, she was a member of the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) Council and a panel member of the Malaysian Industrial Court.

She was also a Member of the Accreditation Board of the Women Institute of Management (WIM) Professional Manager Certification Program. Post retirement, she engages in executive coaching and strategic leadership for organisations, having also served Axiata in this capacity.

Khoo holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration majoring in Organisational Behaviour & Development from University of DeMonfort, Leicester, UK and a Certificate in Human Resource Management in Asia from Insead.

In welcoming the new Board member, Axiata’s chairman, Ghazzali Sheikh Abdul Khalid said, “Gaik Bee’s understanding of the Axiata business and vision, complemented with her vast human resource development and senior leadership coaching experience will be invaluable in aligning the Group’s human capital strategy and talent initiatives as we embrace the realities of transforming into a new generation digital company.

“As Axiata closes the gap with 30% of its Board comprising of women directors, thereby, meeting its Women-on-Board commitment, I take this opportunity to welcome Gaik Bee and look forward to her ideas and perspectives to take Axiata into its next phase of growth.”

Jamaludin Ibrahim, president & group chief executive officer of Axiata added, “I am excited to welcome Gaik Bee to our Board as Axiata faces the challenge of Group-wide digital transformation across our regional footprint. Given her background, she will complement the Board with her rich and vast experience in human capital, which is one of the most important aspects of Axiata’s vision.

“I am also heartened that Gaik Bee’s appointment to the Board is reflective of Axiata’s promise to uphold the gold standard in governance,” he added.