Abid Abdul Adam

Abid believes that in the age of AI and rapid technological change, risk management is what separates organisations that innovate with purpose from those that innovate with exposure. As Group Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at Axiata, he has built the risk and compliance function into a strategic enabler across one of Asia’s most complex multi-market telecommunications groups. He also serves as Axiata’s Nominee Director on the Board Risk and Compliance Committees and Board Audit Committee member of OpCos, providing direct governance oversight across the Group’s operating structure. 

A contributor to the World Economic Forum Digital ASEAN initiative and the Pan ASEAN Data Policy and Cybersecurity Taskforce, Abid strongly advocates for a fortified digital economy where innovation and security advance in lockstep — and where AI is governed with the same rigour and accountability applied to any enterprise-wide risk. Grounded in Computer Science and recognised through CISSP, CISM, CRISC, and MBCI accreditations, he has been named one of the Top 10 Guardians of Cybersecurity. 

Prior to his current role, Abid served as Group Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Head of Privacy at Axiata, and held senior leadership roles in financial services institutions in South Africa.