KUALA LUMPUR (May 7): CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (KL:CIMB) has appointed outgoing Standard Chartered Malaysia chief executive officer Mak Joon Nien as the regional lender’s CEO of growth markets and CIMB Singapore, subject to regulatory approval.
In his role as CEO of growth markets, Mak, who is slated to step down as Standard Chartered Malaysia CEO on May 8, will lead CIMB Singapore and oversee CIMB Thailand and CIMB Cambodia, CIMB said in a statement on Thursday.
There, he will focus on accelerating business growth, strengthening cross-border connectivity and advancing regional opportunities. Mak will also be a member of CIMB Group Executive Committee.
Mak succeeds Victor Lee Meng Teck, who resigned from CIMB Singapore in September last year.
Mak’s complementary strengths will further enhance the lender’s leadership bench as it advances its Forward30 strategy and positions the group for its next phase of growth, CIMB group CEO Novan Amirudin said in the statement.
“Growth markets is a key pillar of CIMB’s Asean strategy, and Mak’s deep regional experience, strong execution track record and client relationships will accelerate the group’s ambition in cross-border banking, regional wealth management and investment advisory,” Novan added.
Mak brings nearly three decades of international banking experience. His career with Standard Chartered began in 1997, which culminated in his appointment as the first Malaysian CEO of Standard Chartered Malaysia in 2022.