Warga Boustead Plantations Berhad (BPB) convey messages of congratulations as the Group announced changes in management line-up in early July.

Encik Ibrahim Abdul Majid, who had assumed the role of BPB CEO in December 2019, bid farewell to the Group as he relinquished his post to pursue a bigger role in parent company Boustead Holdings Berhad (BHB). Encik Ibrahim assumed his new role as CEO, Plantation Technology and Innovation at BHB starting July 5.

Encik Ibrahim was succeeded by Encik Zainal Abidin Shariff, a prominent figure in the plantation industry, who assumed the BPB CEO role effective July 12.

Encik Ibrahim had more than 40 years of professional and leadership experience from the palm oil industry within Malaysia as well as from the ASEAN region. The new role will see him working closely with Boustead Holdings Berhad Group Managing Director Dato’ Sri Mohammed Shazalli Ramly in driving the group’s fresh, innovative and collaborative projects.

In his parting note, Encik Ibrahim stated that his stint at BPB had been the most exciting and memorable part of his decades of career in plantations industry. He also expressed his gratitude to BPB staff and management for the cooperation and commitment exhibited throughout his tenure, a feat which allowed for the company to achieve its performance target in 2020.

Meanwhile, Encik Zainal Abidin is no stranger to corporate world. He started out his career with an accounting firm, Coopers & Lybrand, which later became PricewaterhouseCoopers. He has over 30 years of experience and has held various key positions at corporations including Vice President of Sime Darby Berhad, Chief Financial Officer of Chemara Palmea Holdings Berhad, Chief Operating Officer cum Chief Financial Officer of Felcra Berhad and Chief Executive of The Incorporated Society of Planters. His last position was the Group Chief Executive Officer of TDM Berhad.

Encik Zainal Abidin holds a Master of Finance from RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia and a Diploma in Advanced Accounting from Luton College of Higher Education, United Kingdom.

Commenting on Encik Zainal Abidin’s appointment, BPB Chairman Dato’ Ismail Lasim said the group was pleased to welcome the new CEO to lead its reinvented plantation businesses. “He brings a wealth of experience to BPB, developed over three decades in Corporate Management, Strategic Management, Transformation and Finance across industries including Plantation, Property and Banking,” Dato’ Ismail said.

He added that he was confident that Encik Zainal Abidin would be able take up the mantle and maximise value creation at BPB, in line with BHB’s Reinventing Boustead strategy.