Govt appoints Azman Ismail as new DNB CEO, it took 20 months
By Digital News Asia October 22, 2024
- Replaces Ralph Marshall who left in March 2023 after contract was not extended
- DNB continues to push 5G adoption across consumers, enterprises and public services
The Board of Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) announced the appointment of Azman Ismail (pic) as the company’s new CEO, effective tomorrow, 23 Oct 2024. The Malaysian government entity established in March 2021 to lead the build-out of Malaysia’s 5G telco network had Ralph Marshall, a no-nonsense corporate heavyweight in Malaysia as its first CEO from March 2021 to end Feb 2023.
Azman had earlier been appointed, by the media, as DNB's CEO with various reports in Oct 2023 claiming that he had been appointed DNB CEO, pending official announcement from the government. That never came, until today.
Azman has had a 36-year career that included pivotal leadership roles, most notably as Managing Director of PLUS Malaysia Bhd, an expressways operator. According to DNB, across his tenure, he led impactful digital transformation and change management initiatives, garnering widespread recognition both in Malaysia and across the Asia Pacific region.
Prior to joining the toll highway operator, he was Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and, concurrently, the general manager of its retail business, overseeing Shell’s petroleum retailing in Malaysia and Brunei. In his 30-year career at Shell, Azman held strategic roles in the operations, retail, and finance departments.
DNB expressed confidence that Azman’s extensive experience and leadership will drive DNB’s efforts in its next phase of development as the company continues to advance Malaysia’s 5G adoption across consumers, enterprises and public services, and support the nation’s digital transformation.
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