18 Mar 2020
KUALA LUMPUR – Axiata Group Berhad ("Axiata" or "the Group") announces the appointment of Thaya Sangara Pillai, Malaysian, as an Independent Non-Executive Director ("INED") of its Board and member of the Board Audit Committee ("BAC"), with immediate effect. Thaya's appointment to the BAC serves as a replacement for Dato' Izzaddin Idris who had since been redesignated as an Executive Director upon his appointment as Deputy Group CEO and Group CEO-designate on January 24, 2020.
A retired Senior Partner with over 30 years in PwC Malaysia, Thaya in more recent years led some of the firm's key assignments where he worked extensively with Audit Committees, senior management and Board members of top tier Public Listed Companies across industries in audit, business advisory, mergers and acquisitions ("M&A"), valuations, IPOs and cross border transactions.
Highly experienced in corporate governance, risk management practices, internal controls and external financial reporting, Thaya brings an expert understanding of complex and technical areas specifically in conducting due diligence for M&As, securities transactions and business reviews in enabling strategic decision making. His work involved insights on the implications of decisions on reported financial results and across business units, policies and processes, and people.
Thaya is currently Board member of edotco and Robi Axiata, as well as Board member and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad and Member of the Risk Committee. He is also Board member and Chairman of the Audit Committee and Risk Committee of AIG (Malaysia) Berhad as well as Board member and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Sime Darby Berhad and member of the Risk Committee.
Previously, Thaya took on the role as Board member of the Malaysian Accounting Standards Board (2013-2018) and was appointed Chairman of the FRS 9 - Financial Instruments Task Force Group, WG 60: Financial Instruments & WG 50: Business Combinations.
Thaya is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, Member of the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Chartered Accountant with the Malaysian Institute of Accountants.
Tan Sri Ghazzali Sheikh Abdul Khalid
Axiata's Chairman
As Board member of edotco and Robi Axiata, Thaya has collaborated closely with the Axiata Board and senior management over the last five years. We value his strong uptake in instituting the highest governance standards as well as his deep experience in ensuring integrity and accuracy in a company's external financial reporting which demands alongside, a strong understanding of implementation of internal controls and adoption of appropriate accounting policies, amongst others.
About Axiata
As one of the leading telecommunications groups in Asia in pursuit of its vision to be the New Generation Digital Champion by 2022, Axiata has transformed itself from a holding entity with a portfolio of pure-play mobile assets into a Triple Core Strategy driven business focusing on Digital Telco, Digital Businesses and Infrastructure.
Within ASEAN and South Asia, the Group has controlling stakes in market-leading mobile and fixed operators in the region including 'Celcom' in Malaysia, 'XL' in Indonesia, 'Dialog' in Sri Lanka, 'Robi' in Bangladesh, 'Smart' in Cambodia and 'Ncell' in Nepal. Axiata is actively spearheading efforts to transform its mobile-centric operations into digital converged companies.
Axiata's digital businesses are focused on three verticals namely Digital Financial Services ('Boost'), Digital Advertising ('ADA') and Digital Platform ('APIgate') in the global market.
'edotco', the Group's infrastructure company, operates in six countries to deliver telecommunications infrastructure services, amassing approximately 27,500 towers. Presently the 12th largest independent tower companies globally, it aims to be one of the top regional telecommunications tower companies and is committed to responsible and sustainable business operations.
As a committed and long-term investor, and in line with its sustainability goals, the Group actively supports and drives young talent development; disaster response and recovery; as well as green initiatives. Axiata's broader goal of Advancing Asia aims to piece together the best in the region in terms of innovation, connectivity and talent. For further information on Axiata visit www.axiata.com
Issued By
Corporate Communications
Axiata Group Berhad
Level 30, Axiata Tower,
9 Jalan Stesen Sentral 5, Kuala Lumpur Sentral 50470 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
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