KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 4): The Employees Provident Fund's deputy CEO of strategy Tunku Alizakri Alias has been appointed the pension fund's new CEO, replacing outgoing Datuk Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, who has been named the new managing director of Khazanah Nasional Bhd.

"We are pleased with this internal appointment, as it is a validation of our robust succession planning which has enabled the minister of finance to choose a suitable internal candidate.

"The appointment of the new CEO will ensure continuity in the performance of the EPF and assure members that the EPF will continue to run smoothly in delivering its mandate. The choice of Alizakri as CEO will help further drive the social well-being agenda for the country," said EPF chairman Tan Sri Samsudin Osman in a statement today.

Alizakri's appointment will take effect on Aug 20, the same day Shahril assumes duty at Khazanah.

Samsudin went on to commend Shahril for having brought the pension fund to new heights with strong dividends during his leadership, while enhancing the EPF's policies and improvements to customer experience. Shahril has been CEO at EPF since April 16, 2013. Prior to that he was the fund's deputy CEO of investment.

"Datuk Shahril is a prime example of dedication and professionalism. On behalf of the EPF, I extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Datuk Shahril for his exemplary service at the EPF. We congratulate him on his appointment and wish him all the best. I have no doubt that Khazanah will benefit from his experience in making the EPF the respected organisation it is today,” Samsudin added.

According to the EPF, the new CEO Alizakri joined the pension fund on Jan 1, 2014 as the deputy CEO of strategy, where he oversees national policies on social protection and the development of EPF products and services.

Under his current role, he is also responsible for corporate strategy, corporate affairs, human capital and talent development, besides being a member of the EPF management investment committee that is responsible for ensuring all investment recommendations adhere to EPF's governance and risk controls.

Prior to joining the EPF, he was the chief marketing officer and chief operating officer of the Iclif Leadership and Governance Centre. He has also held the positions of director of strategic management at Bank Negara Malaysia, director and head of strategy and corporate affairs at DiGi
Telecommunications, and vice-president and head of group strategic planning at Maybank. 

He has a master of business administration from Cornell University, as well as a bachelor of law from the King's College of the University of London. He has also been admitted as an advocate and solicitor in the Court of Malaya and is a qualified barrister (Lincoln's Inn) in the courts of England and Wales.