KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 7): Iris Corp Bhd announced today that Tan Sri Nik Mohamed Nik Yaacob will be its new independent and non-executive chairman effective today, following the retirement of Datuk Nik Azman Mohd Zain on Sept 28.

Nik Mohamed, 69, was the group chief executive officer of Sime Darby Bhd, serving as the conglomerate’s top executive from 1993 till 2004.

He was also chairman of the advisory council of the National Science Centre and of the UiTM board, as well as a member of various other councils including the INSEAD East Asian Council, and the National Coordinating Committee on Emerging Multilateral Trade Issues.

Also announced today was the appointment of two Iris Corp non-executive directors, Dr Poh Soon Sim, 73, and Ling Hee Keat, 46.

Dr Poh, a private medical practitioner, is currently a director of Hong Leong Company (Malaysia) Bhd and Hong Leong Foundation; while Ling, who started his career at Hong Leong Group, is now a senior legal associate.

Shares in Iris Corp slid half a sen or 3.23% to close at 15 sen, valuing the group at RM444.94 million.