Celcom Axiata Berhad, has announced key appointments in its C-suite management lineup in line with Axiata Group Berhad’s ongoing efforts towards developing talent and strengthening the Group’s human capital.
Christopher Tiffin has been appointed as Celcom’s new Chief Financial Officer effective 1 January 2014, replacing Chari TVT who is now Axiata’s Group Chief Financial Officer. His role is complemented by Jennifer Wong Chui Fen as Celcom’s new Deputy Chief Financial Officer, who has helmed the role since 1 September 2013.
The third appointment is Syed Md Najib bin Syed Md Noor, who now takes the role of Celcom’s Chief Customer Experience, Services and Retail Officer effective 1 November 2013. His responsibilities will include those formerly of Nashad Emir, then Chief Programme and Customer Experience Officer, who has been appointed as the Chief Operating Officer of Axiata’s new business unit e.co.
All three positions will report directly to Dato’ Sri Shazalli Ramly, Chief Executive Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad.
Commenting on the appointments, Dato’ Sri Shazalli said, “I firmly believe that the success of Celcom’s entire transformation journey was only possible because of our amazing people. 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,” Dato’ Sri Shazalli added.
The profiles of Celcom’s new C-level appointments are as below:
Christopher Tiffin
Christopher Tiffin is appointed as Celcom’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective 1 January 2014, succeeding Chari TVT who will take up a role as Group Chief Financial Officer of Axiata Group effective the same date.
Having 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. Chris was the Chief Finance Officer of Safaricom Ltd, Kenya (part of Vodafone PLC) which is the largest operator in East Africa with a USD1 billion turnover and 2,850 employees. Prior to that, he was the Chief Finance Officer, of Vee Networks Limited in Nigeria – the second largest operator in Nigeria with USD1billion in turnover and 2,500 employees. Chris graduated from the University Of South Africa and is a Chartered Accountant (SAICA – South African Institute of Chartered Accountants).
Syed Md Najib Bin Syed Md Noor
Syed Najib is appointed as Celcom’s Chief Customer Experience, Services and Retails Officer (CESRO) effective 1 November 2013. He will be responsible for Celcom’s retail operations, authorised dealers and partners, as well as customer experience and services. Syed Najib joined Celcom on 15 April 2005 and has a wide range of experience in several portfolios. He has been 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, Syed Najib 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.
Jennifer Wong Chui Fen
Jennifer has been appointed as Celcom’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer effective 1 September 2013. As Deputy CFO, she will carry expanded responsibilities which will include her previous portfolios as the Head of Business Support and Revenue Assurance. Jennifer joined Celcom on 5 November 2007 and has assumed positions of increasing responsibility within the company’s Finance Group prior to this appointment. She was instrumental in several initiatives that lead to Celcom’s current achievement of 29 quarters of growth and profit margins which currently surpass all industry players.
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. Jennifer is a Chartered Accountant from Malaysia Institute of Accountants (MIA), member of Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor Degree in Accounting.
