OM to launch 5 year strategic roadmap for GBS industry 

• Framework involves public-private partnerships, with MDEC a key contributor
• Appoints Korn Ferry Malaysia MD, Anthony Raja Devadoss as new chairperson

Korn Ferry Malaysia’s managing director and senior client partner, Anthony Raja Devadoss, has been elected as the new chairperson of OM (formerly known as Outsourcing Malaysia), a chapter under the National Tech Association of Malaysia (Pikom).

In a statement, the association said OM, which was established by Pikom together with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) in 2006, aims to promote and develop Malaysia’s global business services (GBS) industry and to better position the country as a global hub for high-value services. 

Anthony Raja said he was honoured to assume the role from immediate past chairperson Cheah Kok Hoong who led OM for six years.

“Cheah established a strong foundation for Malaysia’s GBS industry, and the new committee and I are humbled to be entrusted with the mission of taking it to the next level,” said Anthony Raja, adding that the newly-elected OM committee comprise a healthy balance of service provider and shared services professionals.

Anthony Raja will be supported by deputy chairperson (outsourcing) Munirah Looi, deputy chairperson (shared services) M Pattabhiraman, treasurer Raymond Devadass, together with eight other committee members.

Pikom said the OM committee’s goals for the current term include placing greater emphasis on inclusivity with a stretch target of increasing the number of members and industries they represent,

It also plans to nurture greater collaboration with academia and HRD Corp under a single window platform to ensure the Malaysian workforce continue to upskill and reskill towards greater employability for all Malaysians, it added.

“Malaysian human capital needs to be on a constant learning curve, which include digital, analytical and automation upskilling and reskilling so that they can better future-proof their careers while contributing towards the growth of our country's digital economy,” Anthony Raja said.

He said this is further reinforced with the recent Digital Global Business Services Talent Market Report and the launch of the Digital GBS Skills Framework.

Meanwhile Cheah said over the years the GBS industry has played a leading role in Malaysia’s digitisation movement.

“This movement has inevitably enhanced resilience in corporate performance, delivered greater business value and emphasised the need for local businesses to be more customer-centric.

“Under Anthony Raja's watch, I am very confident that OM will assume a more influential role in expanding our objectives for greater industry representation,” he said.

Pikom chairman Sean Seah expressed his confidence that the new OM committee would bring greater industry recognition and thought leadership for the country’s GBS industry, adding that a rebranding campaign for OM is already in progress.

Seah also said OM is currently embarking on a GBS Strategic Vision Report which will be launched within the next few months.

“The report will contain a five-year strategic roadmap (2022–2027) for the GBS industry, and involves strategic public-private partnerships,” said Seah.

Spearheaded by OM with strong support from MDEC, these partnerships would involve, among others, Invest Penang, Iskandar Investment Berhad, Invest KL, Invest Selangor, Cyberview, the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation and the Contact Association of Malaysia, Pikom said.