TM appoints Rafaai Samsi as chief technology and innovation officer

• Giorgio Migliarina resigns after eight years with TM
• Rafaai, who takes over as CTIO, has been with TM since 1978

TELEKOM Malaysia Bhd (TM) on Feb 6 announced the resignation of Giorgio Migliarina as the company’s chief technology and innovation officer (CTIO) effective Feb 18, 2017.

With the departure of Migliarina, TM also announced the appointment of its new CTIO, Rafaai Samsi (pic, above) who is currently the deputy CTIO and chief customer experience officer with effect from Feb 18, 2017.

Migliarina joined TM in May 2009, just a few months after the signing of the public-private partnership agreement with the government to roll out the high speed broadband (HSBB) project.

He oversaw the transformation of TM’s IT and Network Technology division and infrastructure through a series of catalysts, from the HSBB project to the “Towards Operational Perfection” improvement programmes, from the sunset of legacy platforms  to the simplification of the network architecture.

He also launched new initiatives in innovation, and TM is now an established presence not just in Malaysia but also in innovation hotbeds like Silicon Valley.

He has also been instrumental in changing the mindset of the TM workforce towards providing the best services and solutions to customers.

Internally in TM, Migliarina was recognised as a Talent Advocate for his involvement in nurturing talent and innovation. Migliarina has been mentor and coach to many people that now have reached positions of leadership.

In addition to his role as CTIO, Migliarina was also assigned to initiate the consolidation transformation of TM’s B2B lines of business comprising its key business units - TM Government, TM Enterprise and VADS Bhd - as chairman of Managed Accounts  cluster from 2013 to 2016.

In this dual-capacity, he brought the MA teams together, setting new strategies for the business and government segments, positioning TM as a fully integrated smart services, ICT and BPO business solutions provider and realigning processes for efficiency and speed to market.

TM group chief executive officer Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa expressed his gratitude to Migliarina (pic, above) for his contribution to the TM Group during his tenure.

“We would like to take this opportunity to record our highest appreciation to Giorgio for his contribution to TM. In the short duration of eight years that Giorgio has been with us, he has architected and implemented a significant portion of the technical and operational transformation that is now the foundation of TM as Malaysia’s Convergence Champion and our brand promise of Life Made Easier, as well as for the push for going digital.

“We are indeed grateful and also fortunate to have had Giorgio to propel IT and Network Technology division into the era of convergence, creating value through information and network technology transformation. Our journey has been full of proud moments, from the launch of HSBB to the phase out of the PSTN network, from the fundamental turnaround of the operational performance through many TOP programmes to the significant efficiency improvement through network and IT simplification and refresh.”

Commenting on the appointment of the new CTIO, Zamzamzairani said, “We would like to congratulate Rafaai on this appointment. Rafaai, started his illustrious career in network. Through his determination and commitment, he has risen within the organisation to various impactful and pivotal roles. ” 

He started his career in telecommunications with the then Jabatan Telekom Malaysia in 1978. He was later appointed CEO of TM - NTT Communications Corp’s joint venture company in July 1997 before returning to TM in July 2001, where he was assigned as general manager of a number of divisions including State Business Operations, Market Development and Domestic Carrier Business Division.

He was then appointed vice president, Marketing and Sales for the Wholesale segment in October 2006 and subsequently promoted to executive vice president to lead the Wholesale Line of Business on July 1, 2008.

Rafaai was assigned as deputy CTIO to run the day-to-day operations and turn-around initiatives of the IT and Network Technology Division since January 2013. He was assigned as head of Customer Experience Management and Transformation reporting directly to TM Group CEO on July 1, 2014 and at the same time remained as the deputy CTIO. He is also the chairman of Service Management Council responsible for TM’s overall customer service management. 
 
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