Former Maybank CEO Abdul Farid Alias lauded for lifetime industry achievements and contributions

Abdul Farid was recognised for his lasting contribution to the reorganisation and consolidation of Maybank as the largest financial services group in Malaysia, and one of the biggest in Southeast Asia. He has also left an indelible mark on the advancement of the Malaysian banking and financial services industry.

Chief executives of leading banks in Asia and the Middle East; Raymond Sia, Canadia Bank; Tan Kong Khoon, Hong Leong Financial Group; Nestor Tan, BDO Unibank; Wee Ee Cheong, United Overseas Bank; and Chartsiri Sophonpanich, Bangkok Bank, were also recognised for their visionary leadership, achievements and responses to the challenges in the past three years.

These leaders were cited for their efforts in fostering a culture of digital innovation, bolstering organisational resilience and maintaining balance sheet performance and strength, as well as for their pivotal role in shaping their organisations and the industry for a more sustainable future.

The Monetary Authority of Hong Kong was recognised for best systemic and prudential regulation in Asia Pacific. It was commended for initiatives to maintain the industry’s robust capital and liquidity buffers to withstand shocks, and to bolster the territory’s position as a leader in green and sustainable finance.   

The Asian Banker Leadership Achievement Awards recognise all the roles and challenges that CEOs of financial institutions, complex businesses that are central to the economies, face. To ensure that heads of banks in each country can be reviewed over a meaningful period of time, this award is conferred only once every three years.

The programme is predicated on the belief that “outstanding leadership is demonstrated by the ability to execute to a well communicated vision, by inspiring a strong management team, with courage and passion in overcoming specific adversities in order to deliver a strong and sustainable financial and business performance acceptable to all its stakeholders.”

It is based on a rigorous and transparent evaluation process, starting with a region-wide survey, in January, to review the three-year financial performance and strategic initiatives of the organisation.

For details about the programme, visit  https://www.asianbankerawards.com/leadership/