KUALA LUMPUR (Sep 25): Axiata Group Bhd has announced the appointments of four senior finance positions at the Group, which comprised of its internal talents, which will take effect from Oct 15 this year.

In a statement today, the group said among the finance positions include the appointment of Hadi Helmi Zaini Sooria as the Group’s chief internal auditor, which will also be part of the Group’s senior leadership team. Prior to this, Hadi was the chief financial officer (CFO) of Ncell Axiata based in Nepal, a position that he held for two years. The other appointment is Nik Nazifah Nik Ahmad, who is currently the Group’s chief internal auditor, who will assume a new role as director of finance and business support for Axiata Business Services, reporting to its chief executive officer (CEO).

Feiruz Ikhwan Abdul Malek, who is currently the group head of finance at XL Axiata, Indonesia, will take on a new role as the CFO of Smart Axiata in Cambodia.

The fourth appointment is the appointment of Kanishka Wickrama as the CFO of Ncell Axiata in Nepal. He is currently the CFO of Smart and has bring more than 10 years of working experience in the ICT industry.

Axiata’s President and Group CEO Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim expressed confidence in the leadership and capabilities of these new appointees.

“At Axiata, we have always placed strong emphasis on the development of our local and internal talent as part of our corporate philosophy.

“These new appointees are part of many who have been groomed to take on increasing responsibilities and are part of a Group talent rotational programme. They are now poised to move on to new challenges in their respective careers. They have been appointed not just because they are internal talents, but because we also believe they are qualified and have the capability to be successful in their new roles, as much as others from outside,” he said.

Axiata saw its share price slipped lower by 1.89% or 9 sen to RM4.68 with about 78,500 shares as of writing.