FGV appoints Salmiah, Mohamed Nazeeb as directors

KUALA LUMPUR: Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV) has appointed Datuk Dr Salmiah Ahmad and Dr Mohamed Nazeeb P. Alithambi as independent non-executive directors on its board effective today.
In a statement today, FGV chairman Datuk Wira Azhar Abdul Hamid said the company was confident the appointments would further strengthen the board's composition.
"Being subject matter experts in their respective fields, both professionals have the right experience and expertise to help move FGV forward, in generating sustainable returns for our shareholders and stakeholders," he said.
FGV said the board viewed the appointments positively, as they would be able to provide invaluable insights into the global palm oil and rubber industries, while contributing to the independence of the board.
"The appointment of Salmiah is also in line with the government's call to appoint more women as members of the board by 2020," it said.
Salmiah is no stranger to FGV, having previously been on the board in 2014.
She had been with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) for 27 years in several capacities, with her last position as the Deputy Director General of Services, MPOB.
She was then appointed as Director-General of the Malaysian Rubber Board from 2010 until 2015, and was the first woman to hold that position.
Salmiah holds a Bachelor and Master of Science in Organic Chemistry from Northern Illinois University, US. She received her doctorate from Imperial College, UK in Chemical Physics.
She also holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from the Asean Executive Institute of Management, Manila, Philippines.
She has recently served her two-year term as chief executive officer of the International Rubber Consortium Ltd from 2015 to 2017.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Nazeeb, a veteran in the plantation industry, brings with him a wealth of experience, having served Sime Darby Bhd for over 30 years.
Mohamed Nazeeb, armed with a Doctorate of Philosophy in Agronomy from University of Malaya, was recently Head of Research & Development, as well as Head of Plantation Advisory at Sime Darby Plantation.
He started his career at Sime Darby as an Agronomist at Ebor Research, Sime Darby Plantation Sdn Bhd and rose to be Head of Crop Production, before becoming Director, Plantations, Sime Plantation.
Mohamed Nazeeb's distinguished career and track record in the palm oil sector augurs well for FGV, especially with him being a well-respected voice in agronomy.
He is a member of the International Society of Oil Palm Agronomists and the Malaysian Society of Soil Science.
Mohamed Nazeeb has previously been a board member of MPOB and MyBiomass Sdn Bhd and council member of MPOA.
In the same statement, FGV also announced the resignation of Datuk Mohd Zafer Mohd Hashim as Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from Oct 31, 2017, due to other professional commitments.
"The board would like to thank Zafer for his invaluable service and contributions to FGV over the last two-and-a-half years," it said. — Bernama