Malaysia-based telecommunication group Axiata Group Berhad has appointed experienced telecommunications executive Vivek Sood as its new Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director, effective from 24 March.

In his new role at Axiata, Sood will be responsible for leading the company's strategic growth initiatives, including the expansion of 5G and digital infrastructure and service offerings. Driving innovation, improving the customer experience across operating companies throughout Asia and creating value for shareholders will also be his responsibilities.

Sood, who comes with over two decades of industry experience in multiple countries, served Axiata as its Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for almost six years in his most immediate role.

Axiata also announced the appointment of Hans Wijayasuriya as Group Executive Director (ED) and CEO of Telco Business. Hans, a Telecommunications veteran counting 30 years in the industry was also joint interim CEO together with Sood and has held leadership positions across the Group for many years.

Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, Chairman of Axiata, said,"The Board is happy to appoint Vivek as our new Group CEO and have Dr Hans take the position of Group ED. Their track record of success as our joint interim CEOs puts them in the ideal position to lead Axiata into the future and ensures continuity of our strategies.”

“The completion of the Celcom-Digi merger at the end of last year was due to their skillful leadership in closing a complex transaction. That has created the largest Malaysian telco, under the capable leadership of the best Malaysian talent in our Group. This allows Axiata to now focus on our strategic goals in our other markets, primarily South Asia and Indonesia, and to drive further innovation and value in our digital infrastructure and services businesses.”

“Taking over as new CEO is exhilarating and overwhelming. Axiata is a great company with a clear vision of Advancing Asia, serving its customer and empowering societies. After many years in telco and six years as Group CFO and most recently interim CEO, I understand our goals, aspirations and challenges,” said Sood.

With Sood’s promotion as the Group CEO, Lila Azmin Abdullah is now appointed Acting Group CFO. Lila is currently the Group Chief Corporate Development Officer at Axiata, and she brings with her over 25 years of experience and joined Axiata from UEM Group, where she was the Director of Group Corporate Finance.