KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 11): Axiata Group Bhd has appointed Dr David Robert Dean, a former senior partner and global head of technology and telecoms practice at The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), as its independent non-executive director effective today.

Dean, 59, brings to the board over 28 years of experience in consulting, strategic projects and advisory work for leading high-tech, telecommunications and Internet companies around the world, Axiata said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia.

Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim, president and group chief executive officer of Axiata, said Dean's appointment is timely as his expertise will help steer and advise the company when meeting the challenges of a global digital revolution.

"Dr Dean's work with international development agencies will also contribute to Axiata's national agenda and bring meaningful contribution to all our markets," Jamaludin said in a statement.

His work has involved examining challenges around data privacy and cyber-security, as well as the opportunities arising from the Internet of Things (IoT), Axiata said.

Dean, a British national, has contributed to projects at The World Economic Forum and is a member of the Forums Global Future Council on the Digital Economy and Society, and its Future of the Internet Initiative.

He holds a First Class Honours (BA) in Physics, a D.Phil in Theoretical Nuclear Physics and a Master of Arts in Physics from the University of Oxford.

Shares in Axiata closed unchanged at RM5.36 today, leaving the group with a market capitalisation of RM48.5 billion.