Datuk Amran Hafiz Affifudin (left) and Datuk Hisham Hamdan (right).

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 1): UEM Group Bhd, a wholly owned infrastructure arm of sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd, has confirmed the appointment of Datuk Amran Hafiz Affifudin as its managing director (MD) effective immediately, replacing Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani who has stepped down to take the helm at airport operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB)(KL:AIRPORT).

Mohd Izani stepped down from his role as MD on Wednesday (July 31), after five years of service at UEM Group.

Prior to this latest appointment, Amran was the executive director and head of Malaysian investments at Khazanah.

In a statement on Thursday, UEM Group said Amran will hand the role of chairman to Datuk Hisham Hamdan.

“Hisham, who joined Khazanah in April 2011, is currently its chief investment officer (CIO) and is responsible for managing and growing Khazanah’s multi-mandate and multi-asset portfolio. Since 2018, he has served as head of public markets in Khazanah, which has a mandate to invest in more than 10 countries worldwide, across developed markets and emerging markets, underpinned by systematic and quantamental investment strategies.

“Prior to public markets, he was responsible for the automotive, agrifood and Iskandar Malaysia in Khazanah’s portfolio, and served as executive director of research. Additionally, he has served as chairman of UDA Holdings Bhd, as well as a board member of Iskandar Investment Bhd,” the group added.

With over 30 years of experience across a variety of corporate structures, Hisham also serves as chairman of UEM Sunrise Bhd (KL:UEMS) and the board of trustees of Khazanah Research Institute. Before joining Khazanah in 2011, he was head of strategy at Sime Darby Bhd (KL:SIME) and subsequently served as executive vice president (EVP) of Sime Darby’s businesses in the healthcare and utility sectors, as well as in China. Hisham spent the first 12 years of his career as an equity analyst and investment banker.

“Hisham’s appointment as chairman signals the importance of UEM Group to Khazanah in executing our strategy of advancing Malaysia. As CIO of Khazanah and chairman of UEM Group, he will play a key role in ensuring seamless coordination between the two organisations. With his vast experience and proven leadership, Hisham will lead the board and guide the management of UEM Group in achieving its strategic and financial goals,” Khazanah MD Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir said.

“Amran will lead Khazanah’s domestic investment agenda in the infrastructure space. He will spearhead UEM Group’s growth and expansion in areas such as renewable energy, in line with Khazanah’s emphasis on accelerating the decarbonisation of cities and industrial parks, and continue to prioritise value creation initiatives among UEM Group’s subsidiaries,” added Amirul Feisal.