Idham named new CEO of Celcom
KUALA LUMPUR: Celcom Axiata Bhd has appointed Mohamad Idham Nawawi as the new chief executive officer (CEO), effective September 1, taking over from Michael Kuehner whose tenure ends on August 31.
This succession is part of a plan two years ago to appoint an internal talent for the next phase of transformation.
“As an internal talent with excellent management and operational experience within the group, as well as a member of the Celcom board, Idham is well versed in Celcom’s strategic directions, operations and challenges.
“The board is confident Idham will be able to move quickly and efficiently to execute the next phase of transformation,” said the company in a statement.
Idham ha s more than 25 years of experience within the industry in Malaysia and the region.
He currently holds the position of group chief corporate officer, responsible for regulatory management, corporate communications and sustainability, corporate affairs and government relations for the group, as well as manages group CEO’s office, Axiata programmes and governance office.
Prior to joining Axiata in 2012, Idham was chief operating officer of Packet-One Networks, where he was key to growing the company from almost zero to become the fastest growing network.
He also has served as member of the board of directors in Axiata’s mobile operating companies in Malaysia, Cambodia, Bangladesh and Pakistan, and several Axiata digital services companies.
An engineer by training and a Chevening scholar, Idham earned his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from University of Rochester, New York, and Masters in Communications Management from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland.
“We are pleased to welcome Idham as Celcom CEO. With his vast leadership and notable accomplishments in many roles, I am confident he will lead Celcom to the next level of transformation into the digital world, as well as pursue our profitable growth strategy,” said Axiata president and group CEO and Celcom chairman Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim.
“On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to Kuehner for his immense contributions and for positioning Celcom solidly for the great opportunities ahead,” he added.