KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 2): Chemical Company of Malaysia Bhd (CCM) has appointed Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar, 50, as its managing director (MD), a position that has been left vacant since Oct 1 last year.

According to the pharmaceutical maker’s filing to Bursa Malaysia today, Leonard Ariff's appointment will be effective by Jan 9.

Leonard Ariff was acting CEO, since Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir resigned as MD on Oct 1 "to pursue career progression".

Leonard Ariff is also the CEO of CCM Duopharma Biotech Bhd and director of CCM’s pharmaceuticals Division, positions that he has held since Jan 1, 2008.

In a press statement, CCM said Leonard Ariff has led the transformation of the group’s pharmaceuticals division in recent years, improving its position in sterile manufacturing to develop the biotherapeutics portfolio.

Prior to that, he was general manager to IPI Paints Malaysia Sdn Bhd (2003), before he was appointed as MD to IPI from 2005 to 2007.

CCM increased three sen or 3.33% to close at 93 sen today, giving it a market capitalisation of RM409.17 million.