COLOMBO – 01 September 2026
Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, today announced significant changes to its Board of Directors and key Board Committees, effective 01 September 2026. The strategic realignment includes the appointment of Mr Nik Rizal Kamil bin Nik Ibrahim Kamil, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Axiata Group Berhad (AGB), as a Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director.
This pivotal appointment follows the resignation of Mr Vivek Sood, who concluded his tenure as a Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director on the Dialog Axiata Board, also effective 01 September 2026.
Strategic Board Appointment: Nik Rizal Kamil Joins Dialog Axiata
Mr Nik Rizal Kamil bin Nik Ibrahim Kamil joins the Dialog Axiata Board as a nominee director of Axiata Investments (Labuan) Limited (AILL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Axiata Group Berhad. His appointment was formally approved by the Board of Directors via Directors’ Circular Resolution No. 20/2026 dated 28 August 2026, following a recommendation from the Board Nominations and Governance Committee.
By virtue of their respective positions as nominee directors of AILL, both Mr Nik Rizal Kamil and his predecessor, Mr Vivek Sood, hold a Relevant Interest in 6,785,252,765 (73.757%) ordinary shares of Dialog, which are held by AILL.
Board Committee Realignments and Leadership Changes
Consequent to the change in the Board’s composition, several key adjustments have been made to Dialog Axiata’s essential Board Committees:
- Mr Nik Rizal Kamil bin Nik Ibrahim Kamil has been appointed as a member of the Board Nominations and Governance Committee (BNGC), the Board Remuneration Committee (BRC), and the Board Investment Committee (BIC), stepping into the roles previously held by Mr Vivek Sood.
- Furthermore, Mr Thomas Hundt, a Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Board Investment Committee (BIC), also succeeding Mr Vivek Sood.
The revised compositions of these critical committees are as follows:
Board Nominations and Governance Committee (BNGC)
- Dr Sharmini Coorey – Independent, Non-Executive Director (Chairperson)
- Mr Vish Govindasamy – Independent, Non-Executive Director (Member)
- Mr Nik Rizal Kamil bin Nik Ibrahim Kamil – Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director (Member)
Board Remuneration Committee (BRC)
- Dr Sharmini Coorey – Independent, Non-Executive Director (Chairperson)
- Mr Vish Govindasamy – Independent, Non-Executive Director (Member)
- Mr Nik Rizal Kamil bin Nik Ibrahim Kamil – Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director (Member)
Board Investment Committee (BIC)
- Mr Thomas Hundt – Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director (Chairman)
- Mr Tarun Virmani – Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director (Member)
- Mr Nik Rizal Kamil bin Nik Ibrahim Kamil – Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director (Member)
Profile: Mr Nik Rizal Kamil bin Nik Ibrahim Kamil
Mr Nik Rizal Kamil bin Nik Ibrahim Kamil brings a formidable wealth of experience, spanning over three decades, to the Dialog Axiata Board. As the Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Axiata Group Berhad, he is responsible for driving the Group’s strategic direction, performance, and long-term value creation across its diverse and high-growth markets in ASEAN and South Asia.
His extensive professional background encompasses telecommunications, digital infrastructure, investments, capital markets, banking, and corporate finance. Before assuming his current role, he served as Group Chief Financial Officer of Axiata, gaining profound exposure to strategic investment, infrastructure financing, digital transformation, and capital markets engagement. His distinguished career also includes significant leadership positions such as Group Chief Financial Officer of RHB Banking Group and Executive Director, Investments at Khazanah Nasional Berhad. During his tenure at Khazanah, he was instrumental in overseeing investment and portfolio strategies across various sectors, including telecommunications, media, and technology, and also served on the boards of Telekom Malaysia Berhad and Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad.
Mr Nik Rizal Kamil is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA). He holds an MSc in Finance from London Business School and a BSc in Economics & Accounting from the University of Bristol. His extensive board-level experience across multiple Group entities, including CelcomDigi Berhad, PT XLSMART Telecom Sejahtera Tbk, and Robi Axiata PLC, further solidifies his strategic acumen and leadership capabilities.
These strategic directorial and committee changes are poised to reinforce Dialog Axiata’s corporate governance framework and enhance its strategic alignment with Axiata Group Berhad, charting a course for continued growth and innovation in Sri Lanka’s dynamic telecommunications and digital landscape.
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