KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 30): Outgoing Axiata Digital Services chief executive officer (CEO) Mohd Khairil Abdullah has been appointed as the new CEO of Amsterdam-based VEON Ventures — a part of connectivity and Internet services provider VEON Group.
In a statement on VEON’s website on Wednesday (Dec 29), the group said the appointment will be effective from March 1, 2022.
“I am pleased to welcome Khairil as our Ventures CEO. He brings world-class experience and expertise to a key area for VEON’s success.
“With Khairil at the helm, we will accelerate our focus on digital ventures, pushing JazzCash, Toffee and ShopUp to the next level, as well as other initiatives in Ukraine, Kazakhstan and across VEON’s footprint.
“Khairil and his team will continue to focus on our key mission of delivering strong shareholder value by building and monetising outstanding assets," according to VEON chairman Gennady Gazin.
Meanwhile, VEON CEO Kaan Terzioglu said Veon Ventures is one of the group's three main vectors of growth and value generation.
“Khairil will contribute to the success of our group's ambitions with his deep expertise in growing and developing digital assets, in combination with a profound knowledge of telcos (telecommunications companies), exploiting all related cross-synergies while pursuing high-growth opportunities with the flexibility offered by a dedicated company,” he said in a statement.
VEON touts itself as a digital operator that provides mobile connectivity and services to 217 million customers.
Its operations span nine countries and provide infrastructure, connectivity and digital services to a combined population of 680 million people.
Previously on Dec 22, The Edge reported that Khairil had resigned from Axiata Digital after a nine-year stint at Axiata Group Bhd.
“We wish to confirm that Khairil will leave Axiata Digital on Feb 14, 2022 after a nine-year stint at Axiata.
“He has served as the CEO of Axiata Digital for seven years, driving the growth of the group’s digital businesses as he led investments and operations overseeing multiple portfolios within the company.
“We wish Khairil well in his next endeavours and will certainly hold him close to the Axiata ecosystem in the future,” the Axiata spokesperson said in an email reply to The Edge.