Sime Darby unveils senior leadership for its three pure plays

PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Bhd has announced a new chairman and senior leadership for its three pure plays as well as a leaner and more focused direction for Sime Darby itself.
The conglomerate said in a statement last Friday that all three companies will be helmed by individuals who have the skills and experience to manage large, complex organisations and are highly regarded for their integrity and business acumen.
“We are confident that all three pure plays have the right leadership to take the companies forward in these challenging times. Their task is to grow the businesses and their challenge is to achieve this while delivering consistent returns for all their stakeholders,” said Sime Darby chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Othman.
Tan Sri Dr Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah, who is currently the deputy chairman of Sime Darby, has been named the new chairman of Sime Darby, with Jeffri Salim Davidson as the president and group chief executive. Jeffri is the current deputy group CFO of Sime Darby.
The two will be supported by Datuk Lawrence Lee Cheow Hock as managing director of Sime Darby Motors, Scott William Cameron as managing director of Sime Darby Industrial and Timothy Lee Chi Tim as managing director of Sime Darby Logistics.
The new leadership of Sime Darby will reflect the global nature of its business with 80% of revenues generated from outside of Malaysia. With presence in 16 countries and four territories, and a workforce of 20,000 employees, Sime Darby aims to be a more nimble organisation.
Meanwhile, Abdul Ghani has been named the new chairman of Sime Darby Plantation Bhd while current president and group chief executive of Sime Darby Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh will take on the role of executive deputy chairman and managing director of the plantation unit.
Bakke, 63, has been the president and group chief executive of the conglomerate for the past seven years and oversaw the rationalising of the group’s businesses which included its exit from the oil and gas business.
Datuk Franki Anthony Dass, the current managing director of Sime Darby Plantation, will be redesignated as chief adviser and value officer while Renaka Ramachandran will remain in her current role as CFO for Sime Darby Plantation.
The third pure play, Sime Darby Property Bhd, will be led by Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar as chairman, Datuk Seri Amrin Awaluddin as managing director and Datuk Tong Poh Keow as executive director and CFO. Tong, 62, is the current group CFO of Sime Darby.
The new leadership line-up comprises internal candidates, with the exception of Abdul Wahid and Amrin. Sime Darby Plantation and Sime Darby Property are on course for listing at year-end.