KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 17): CIMB Group Holdings Bhd has appointed Lani Darmawan as the president director and chief executive officer (CEO) of CIMB Niaga, making her the first female country CEO under the group.

The appointment will be effective as of the date specified in CIMB Niaga’s extraordinary general meeting held on Friday, CIMB said in a statement.

The appointment is subject to approval from the financial services authority of Indonesia Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK) and/or the fulfilment of the requirements as stipulated in the OJK letter, it added.

Lani succeeds Tigor M Siahaan, who is currently serving his notice period following his resignation in October this year.

According to CIMB, Lani is an established leader with a proven track record in the industry with more than 35 years of banking and finance experience.

“Lani has been with CIMB Niaga since 2016 and was most recently the bank’s CEO of consumer business. She has been instrumental in the transformation of CIMB Niaga’s consumer banking business to better serve the needs of customers across Indonesia, as well as driving the bank’s business strategy in alignment with the group’s Forward23+ strategic plan,” it said.

Prior to CIMB Niaga, Lani held leadership roles in several large financial institutions in Indonesia.

“I am pleased to welcome Lani to her new role as she takes up the helm at CIMB Niaga.

“I am confident that her strong leadership acumen coupled with her extensive industry experience, strategic vision and constant customer focus will further strengthen CIMB Niaga’s position as a leading banking franchise in Indonesia,” said CIMB Group chairman Datuk Mohd Nasir Ahmad.

As the first female country CEO under CIMB Group, Mohd Nasir noted Lani’s appointment also demonstrates CIMB's commitment to promote diversity and inclusion in its leadership bench, in line with the group’s sustainability agenda.

“Indonesia is a key market for CIMB Group, and CIMB Niaga is stronger today thanks to the team which has been ably led by Tigor.

“On behalf of CIMB Group, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Tigor for his leadership and invaluable contributions in building CIMB Niaga into what it is today,” he added.

CIMB’s share price finished for the day nine sen or 1.72% higher at RM5.32, valuing the group at RM53.36 billion with 21.9 million shares traded.