New line-up for Celcom’s C-level suite

• Appointments follow Axiata’s recent announcement on management movement into its new business unit ‘e.co’
• New unit described as ‘first independent communications infrastructure services company in South-East Asia’

CELCOM Axiata Berhad has announced new appointments in its C-suite management lineup, saying that this was in line with the Group’s ongoing efforts “towards developing talent and strengthening oits Group’s human capital.”
 
Christopher Tiffin (pic) has been appointed as Celcom’s new chief financial officer (CFO) effective Jan 1, 2014, replacing Chari TVT who is now Axiata’s group chief financial officer.
 
His role is complemented by Jennifer Wong Chui Fen who has been deputy chief financial officer since Sept 1, 2013, Celcom said in a statement.
 
Tiffin has been in Axiata for the last 12 months as the senior vice president of Finance for e.co, he brings with him a wealth of experience in the field of finance, and was previously CFO of Safaricom Ltd, Kenya (part of Vodafone Plc), the largest operator in East Africa with a US$1-billion turnover and 2,850 employees.
 
Prior to that, he was CFO of Vee Networks Limited in Nigeria – the second largest operator in Nigeria with US$1 billion in turnover and 2,500 employees.
 
Tiffin graduated from the University of South Africa and is a chartered accountant.
 
As deputy CFO, Wong (pic) will carry expanded responsibilities which will include her previous portfolios as the head of Business Support and Revenue Assurance.
 
She joined Celcom in 2007 and has assumed positions of increasing responsibility within the company’s Finance Group prior to this appointment, the company said. She was instrumental in several initiatives that led to Celcom’s current achievement of 29 quarters of growth and profit margins.
 
Prior to joining Celcom, she was with PricewaterhouseCoopers in London where she was mainly involved in capital markets in addition to statutory audit and financial process projects. She started her career in Andersen, Kuala Lumpur which is now known as Ernst & Young.
 
Wong is a chartered accountant from the Malaysia Institute of Accountants (MIA), a member of the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountant, and holds a Bachelor Degree in Accounting.
 
Meanwhile, Syed Md Najib Syed Md Noor takes on the role of Celcom’s chief customer experience, services and retail officer effective Nov 1, 2013. His responsibilities will include those formerly of Nashad Emir, then chief programme and customer experience officer, who has been appointed chief operating officer of Axiata’s new business unit e.co.
 
He will be responsible for Celcom’s retail operations, authorised dealers and partners, as well as customer experience and services.

Syed Najib (pic) joined Celcom in 2005 and has a wide range of experience in several portfolios, the company said. He was instrumental in establishing significant milestones in the company including Celcom’s LTE spectrum allocation, global 3G roaming partners, and key regulatory measures and industry relationships.
 
Prior to joining Celcom, he was the country manager, Malaysia and Indonesia, for Reach, a wholly-owned company by Telstra Australia and PCCW Hong Kong, where he spent four years in the position.
 
Syed Najib holds a Masters in Business Administration degree from National University, Sacramento and a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University.
 
All three positions will report directly to Shazalli Ramly, chief executive officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad, the company said in a statement.
 
The appointments follow closely at the heels of parent company Axiata’s recent announcement on key management movements especially into e.co – the first independent communications infrastructure services company in South-East Asia.
 
“I firmly believe that the success of Celcom’s entire transformation journey was only possible because of our amazing people,” said Shazalli.
 
“Celcom is proud to contribute significantly to the talent growth of the Group through Axiata’s appointments of Chari TVT and Nashad Emir into key management roles, and we are equally pleased to welcome Christopher Tiffin who joins Syed Najib and Jennifer Wong in the ranks of Celcom’s senior management.
 
“With a strong team of talented and experienced people, plus a transformed structure that fully supports our goals, we are geared to fully meet the diversifying needs of our customers and look forward to continue providing the best experiences and returns for our subscribers, partners, and stakeholders,” he added.
 
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