KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 26): Axiata Group Bhd has appointed Thomas Hundt, the chief executive officer (CEO) of its Cambodia-based unit Smart Axiata, as its new group chief strategy and technology officer with immediate effect.

The telecommunications group said Hundt, who will relocate to Kuala Lumpur and step down as Smart Axiata CEO, will be pivotal in driving group-wide innovation and technological advancement in the region and beyond.

He will be instrumental in securing new and long-term growth opportunities as the group strengthens its top management to deliver its ambitious digital transformation agenda, Axiata said in a statement on Tuesday.

Axiata president and group CEO Datuk Izzaddin Idris said that as CEO of Smart Axiata, Hundt has worked hard to deliver “stellar” quarterly results across all key metrics.

Izzaddin said Hundt also took on the additional role of executive vice president of group technology in 2020 to lead Axiata’s technology transformation in an effort to unlock group-wide synergy as aligned with global practices.

“As we continue to execute on the Axiata 5.0 strategy, Thomas’ (Hundt) insights and passion will come to the fore, especially in how we manage customer experiences and transition into the most efficient technologies in delivering digital services across our markets,” he said.

Smart Axiata chief financial officer Feiruz Ikhwan will assume the role of acting CEO at the Cambodia-based mobile operator.