Leadership

Datuk Kamarudin bin Meranun, male, Malaysian, 64, is a co-founder of AirAsia. He was appointed as a Non-Independent Executive Chairman of Capital A Berhad (formerly known as AirAsia Group Berhad) on 30 March 2018.

He is also a Non-Independent Executive Chairman of AirAsia Berhad (AAB), taking the lead in engaging with the government, aviation regulators and airport authorities of Malaysia. Before being designated as Executive Chairman, he was AAB's Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer.

In December 2001, Datuk Kamarudin, together with Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Dato' Pahamin Ab Rajab and Dato' Abdel Aziz @ Abdul Aziz bin Abu Bakar, acquired struggling domestic airline AirAsia and, with the help of Conor McCarthy, relaunched it as a pioneer of budget travel in Asia, building AirAsia into the world's best low-cost carrier. In 2020, amidst the global Covid-19 pandemic, AirAsia pivoted from just an airline to a unified digital and e-commerce platform with its airasia Superapp, powered by technology and data.

Prior to setting up AirAsia, Datuk Kamarudin worked at Arab-Malaysian Merchant Bank from 1988 to 1993 as a Portfolio Manager, managing both institutional and high net-worth individual clients' investment funds. In 1994, he was appointed Executive Director of Innosabah Capital Management Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Innosabah Securities Sdn. Bhd. He subsequently acquired the shares of the joint venture partner of Innosabah Capital Management Sdn. Bhd., which was later renamed Intrinsic Capital Management Sdn. Bhd.

He holds a Diploma in Actuarial Science from University Technology MARA (UiTM) and graduated with a BSc with Distinction (Magna Cum Laude) majoring in Finance in 1986 and achieved an MBA in 1987 from Central Michigan University.

He received the Darjah Panglima Jasa Negara (PJN), which carries the title Datuk, from the Malaysian King in November 2013.

Datuk Kamarudin is also a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director of AirAsia X Berhad, a Director of Red Giants Football Club and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Mahathir Science Award Foundation.

Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, male, 61, is a co-founder of AirAsia. He was appointed as a Non-Independent Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Capital A Berhad (formerly known as AirAsia Group Berhad) on 30 March 2018.

Tan Sri Tony is one of Asia's most recognisable entrepreneurs, best known for co-founding low-cost carrier AirAsia and democratising air travel in the region.

In December 2001, Tan Sri Tony, together with Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, Dato' Pahamin Ab Rajab and Dato' Abdel Aziz @ Abdul Aziz bin Abu Bakar, acquired struggling domestic airline, AirAsia, and with the help of Conor McCarthy, relaunched it as a pioneer of budget travel in Asia, building AirAsia into the world's best low-cost carrier.

He studied in the UK and qualified as an Associate Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in 1991, then as a Fellow Member in 1996. He is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). An accountant by training, he began his career in Virgin Group before returning to Malaysia as Warner Music Group's Vice President for Southeast Asia before venturing into the airline business.

Tan Sri Tony has received numerous honours and awards over the course of his career. These include the Honour of the Commander of the Order of the British Empire, conferred by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2011, and the Commander of the Legion d'Honneur, awarded by the French Government for outstanding contributions to the economy of France through the aviation industry. He also received the Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM) award conferred by Yang Di Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, which carries the title Tan Sri.

Dato' Fam Lee Ee, male, Malaysian, 64, was appointed a Senior Independent Non-Executive Director of Capital A Berhad (formerly known as AirAsia Group Berhad) on 30 March 2018. He is a member of the Audit Committee, and Chairman of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and Safety Review Board of Capital A.

He received his BA (Hons) from the University of Malaya in 1986 and LLB (Hons) from the University of Liverpool, UK in 1989. Upon obtaining his Certificate of Legal Practice in 1990, he has been practising law since 1991 and is currently a Senior Partner at Messrs Gan & Zul.

Dato' Fam used to sit on the Board of Trustees of Yayasan PEJATI from 1996 to 2007. Since 2001, he has served as a legal advisor to the Chinese Guilds and Association and charitable organisations such as Yayasan SSL Haemodialysis Centre in PJ. He is also an Honorary Adviser of the Perlis Chinese Chambers of Commerce.

Dato' Fam is also a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director of AirAsia X Berhad and a Director of the Malaysia-China Business Council.

Dato' Abdel Aziz @ Abdul Aziz bin Abu Bakar, male, Malaysian, 72, was appointed a Non-Executive Director of Capital A Berhad (formerly known as AirAsia Group Berhad) on 30 March 2018. He is the Chairman of the Risk Management and Sustainability Committee and a member of the Audit and Nomination and Remuneration Committees of the Board of Capital A.

In December 2001, Dato' Aziz together with Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Dato' Pahamin Ab Rajab acquired struggling domestic airline, AirAsia, and with the help of Conor McCarthy, relaunched it as a pioneer of budget travel in Asia, building AirAsia into the world's best low-cost carrier.

Dato' Aziz served as Chairman of Performance and Artistes Rights Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PRISM), a collection society for performers of recorded music, and the Academy of Malaysian Music Industry Association (PAIMM) for more than 10 years until end 2012 and January 2011, respectively.

From 1981 to 1983, he was the Executive Director of Showmasters (M) Sdn Bhd, an artiste management and concert promotion company. He subsequently joined BMG Music and was General Manager from 1989 to 1997, and Managing Director from 1997 to 1999. He received a Diploma in Agriculture from Universiti Pertanian Malaysia in 1975, a BSc in Agriculture Business from Louisiana State University, USA in 1978, and an MBA from the University of Dallas, USA in 1980.

He is also currently a Director of Yayasan Astro Kasih and the Non-Executive Non-Independent Chairman of Pegasus Heights Berhad, a member of its Audit Committee and a member of its Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

Dato' Mohamed Khadar bin Merican, male, Malaysian, 69, was appointed an Independent Non-Executive Director of Capital A Berhad (formerly known as AirAsia Group Berhad) on 30 March 2018. He is the Chairman of the Audit Committee, and a member of the Risk Management and Sustainability Committee and Safety Review Board of Capital A.

Dato' Mohamed Khadar is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and is also a Chartered Accountant of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants.

Dato' Mohamed Khadar has more than 40 years' experience in financial and general management. He served as an auditor and a consultant in an international accounting firm, before joining a financial services group in 1986. Dato' Mohamed Khadar has held various senior management positions in the then Pernas International Holdings Berhad, a company listed on Bursa Malaysia, between 1988 and April 2003, including those of President and Chief Operating Officer. In 2013, Dato' Mohamed Khadar, in his capacity as the Chairman of RHB Capital, was named "Chairman of The Year" by the Minority Shareholders Watch Group at its Asean Corporate Governance Index Awards 2013.

Dato' Mohamed Khadar's other directorships in public companies are Iris Corporation Berhad and Rashid Hussain Berhad (In Members' Voluntary Liquidation) and he is the Independent Non-Executive Chairman of BNP Paribas Malaysia Berhad. He was also appointed the Independent Non-Executive Chairman of Tune Protect Group Berhad, a company listed on Bursa Malaysia, on 5 October 2021. In addition, he is a Director of Asia Aviation Public Company Limited, a company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

Brig Gen Fadzillah Binti Abdullah RMAF (Retired), female, Malaysian, 61, was appointed an Independent Non-Executive Director of Capital A Berhad on 1 November 2024. She is a member of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and Risk Management and Sustainability Committee of Capital A.

She received her Bachelor of Science-Electrical Engineering from the Fairleigh Dickinson University, New Jersey, USA and Master of Management Studies-Project Management from University of New South Wales, Australia.

Brig Gen (R) Fadzillah had a distinguished career in the Royal Malaysia Air Force ("RMAF"). During the period as a professional military officer, she served as the Military Pilot from March 1987 to June 1994. She is the first female pilot in RMAF. From July 1994 to May 2007, she worked as the Specialist Officer, Electronic Warfare Centre.

She worked as Director of Air Capability, Plans and Procurement for ten years from July 2007 to June 2017. Before her retirement in October 2024, she served as a Director General of the Defence Training Department.

She has proven expertise in project management, procurement, and international military collaboration. Brig Gen (R) Fadzillah is a renowned speaker on women's empowerment and gender equality. She actively participated in global seminars and conferences, raising awareness and influencing policies to promote gender equality and the inclusion of women in peace and security roles.

Beyond her advocacy work, Brig Gen (R) Fadzillah is widely known for her proficiency, crisis management, and navigating intricate geopolitical challenges. Her deep expertise in the electromagnetic spectrum and bilateral engagements stems from extensive experience in defense operations and strategic partnerships. This background has greatly enhanced her ability to lead and make informed decisions in demanding environments.

Tharumalingam Kanagalingam, 61, better known as Bo Lingam, oversees the operations and strategic direction of the five airlines in the Group: AirAsia Malaysia, AirAsia Thailand, AirAsia Indonesia, AirAsia Philippines and the recently established AirAsia Cambodia.

He has been instrumental in shaping AirAsia's strategic direction and operational framework, driving the airline's regional expansion and solidifying its leadership in the competitive aviation industry. Since joining AirAsia in 2001 as a Ground Operations Manager, he has played a key role in implementing the low-cost airline model across operations and procurement. Over the years, he has held several leadership positions, including Purchasing and Supplies Senior Manager, Regional Guest Services Director, Chief of Operations and Planning, Group Chief Operating Officer, President & Group Chief Operating Officer, Deputy Group CEO of Airlines and Group President of Airlines.

As Group CEO of AAAGL, Bo continues to drive the airline's evolution by prioritising operational excellence, optimising processes and enhancing the customer experience. His leadership has been pivotal in strengthening AirAsia's presence in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Cambodia, while also overseeing the establishment of new airlines within the Group. He remains committed to delivering innovative ancillary solutions and ensuring seamless, personalised travel experiences that meet the evolving demands of modern travellers.

Aireen, 51, leads BigPay in its mission to be an Asean fintech company by providing financial services that Southeast Asians need with accessible and impactful financial services to enhance their lives. She oversees the company's strategic growth, product development and regional expansion ensuring BigPay continues to drive innovation and financial inclusion across Asean.

She is also a Non-Executive Director of Tune Protect Group Berhad and Director of Seng Heng New Retail Berhad.

Aireen joined AirAsia in January 2006 as Director of Corporate Finance. Her portfolio expanded rapidly to include Insurance, Treasury, Fuel Procurement and Investor Relations functions. Taking on these roles, she was instrumental in shaping the development of AirAsia into one of the fastest growing and most highly-acclaimed airlines globally. In 2012, Aireen was appointed as AirAsia Berhad's Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer.

She began her career at Deutsche Bank Securities Inc, where she served as an Associate from 1997-2000 in New York and London, her last position being at the Equity Arbitrage Proprietary Trading Desk focusing on international equities, equity derivatives and equity-linked products. After returning to Malaysia in 2001, she served in several major local financial institutions including the Maybank Group, the country's largest banking and financial services group.

Her accolades include the Outstanding CEO Achievement Award by Malaysian Women of Excellence, Corporate Treasurer's 25 Most Influential Women in Treasury, Masterclass Woman CEO of the Year by Selangor Excellence Business Awards, Eminent Leaders in Asia at the Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability Awards (ACES), and APAC CEO of the Year 2017 by Aviation 100 Awards. Under her leadership, AirAsia was awarded Digital Transformer of the Year in Malaysia at the IDC Digital Transformation Awards (DXa) 2019.

Aireen is an Economics graduate from the London School of Economics and Political Science and holds a Master's in Economics from New York University.

Mun Hui, 54, manages the finance functions across Capital A's entities. Her responsibilities include statutory and Bursa Malaysia reporting, financial analysis, cash flow management, compliance and leading merger and acquisition (M&A) activities. Additionally, she spearheads the PN17 regularisation plan, ensuring the company's financial strategies align with its long-term growth objectives while maintaining operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.

She served as Chief Financial Officer of AirAsia Aviation Group Limited (AAAGL), where she was instrumental in guiding the company's recovery from the pandemic and Capital A's exit from PN17 status. With over 20 years of finance experience, she has demonstrated exceptional expertise in managing finance operations and delivering strategic business insights. Mun Hui led major initiatives, including the proposed disposal of Aviation to AirAsia X Berhad and the issuance of a USD443 million Revenue Bond, which was named “Overall Deal of the Year” by Airline Economics Aviation. Her achievements earned her the title “CFO of the Year” and solidified her reputation as a leader in aviation finance.

Rozman Omar, 59, serves as a Director of Asia Aviation Capital Limited (our captive aircraft leasing subsidiary in Labuan) and AirAsia SEA Limited (our International Business Centre (IBC) in Thailand) and is currently based in Bangkok. He also sits on the Boards of Asia Aviation PCL and Thai AirAsia Limited. In his present role, Rozman oversees the Group Treasury, Aircraft and Corporate Finance functions of Capital A and its companies.

Joanna, 43, is the Chief Strategy Officer for Capital A as of 2024. She was previously Chief Corporate Development and Ventures and has over 15 years of experience in management consulting, aviation, travel, telecommunications, energy, and private equity.

Joanna led airasia grocer as Chief Executive Officer, where she established a fresh produce and food grocery supply chain business. She also spearheaded investment and fundraising for digital ventures at RedBeat Capital, promoting innovation and fostering collaboration between startups and AirAsia.

Joining Capital A in 2010 as Group Head of Strategy, Joanna focused on developing and implementing the Group's business plans and turnaround initiatives. She played a pivotal role in various joint venture projects and acquisitions, including Big DutyFree (now MOVE Duty-free), Tune Money (now BigPay) and Rokki. Additionally, Joanna led a significant turnaround effort as Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Financial Officer of AirAsia Indonesia, culminating in the company's successful listing in 2017.

She holds an undergraduate degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Imperial College, London, and a postgraduate degree in Operational Research from the London School of Economics.

Fiona Fong, 39, is appointed the Chief Legal Officer of Capital A effective 1 November 2024. Fiona joined Capital A in July 2023 as Deputy Chief Legal Officer, quickly establishing herself as an invaluable asset to the company.

In her previous role as Deputy Chief Legal Officer, Fiona took a leading role in orchestrating several key transactions including debt financings as well as debt restructuring exercises, all of which were pivotal for the financial health and operational stability of two Aviation subsidiaries of the company.

In her new role, Fiona will oversee all legal functions within the company, providing strategic guidance on compliance and corporate governance. She will lead the legal team, ensuring alignment with the company's business goals while managing complex transactions, such as financings, partnerships, internal restructuring, M&A and etc involving the company. Fiona will work closely with senior management to drive key business initiatives, enhance legal processes and ensure strong corporate governance practices. With over 14 years of experience in the legal field, Fiona's expertise and experience will undoubtedly contribute to Capital A's continued success and growth.

Fiona holds an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) from the University of London and a Certificate of Legal Practice, qualifying her to practice law in Malaysia.

Mahesh Kumar, 39, has served as Chief Executive Officer of Asia Digital Engineering (ADE) since September 2020, having founded and spearheaded its rapid rise into one of Southeast Asia's leading Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) providers. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Capital A Berhad, ADE was born from AirAsia's Engineering Department and has since been transformed under Mahesh's leadership into a data and technology-driven powerhouse serving both AirAsia and a growing portfolio of global airline clients across the region.

Prior to becoming CEO, Mahesh served as Head of Fleet & Technical Asset Management at AirAsia, where he played a key role in securing two major aircraft portfolio transactions with BBAM Aircraft Leasing & Management and Castlelake LP worth a combined USD 3.6 billion—deals that won the 2018 Air Finance Journal Award and 2019 APAC Airline Economics Award. In 2015, he was appointed as Senior Vice President, Technical of Asia Aviation Capital Limited, AirAsia's newly established aircraft leasing arm at the time.

Mahesh joined AirAsia's Engineering Department in 2009, contributing to strategic projects including the selection and definition of aircraft and engine types, the establishment of AirAsia India Engineering, and the transformation of Zest Airways into AirAsia Philippines.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Nehru College of Aeronautics, India (2004 - 2008).

Catherine Goh, 37, has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Santan since April 2024, bringing her expertise and proven leadership to the forefront of the organisation. Over the years, she has taken on increasingly challenging roles within AirAsia Group, driving significant growth and operational excellence. Most notably, Catherine transformed the Group's inflight operations—including duty-free, merchandise and inflight catering—into a model of efficiency and high profitability. During her tenure in Duty Free, Catherine revamped the business model, achieving a remarkable 200% growth with MYR31 million in revenue within six months. This milestone marked the highest per-passenger revenue in AirAsia's 17-year history, with a penetration rate increase of over 50%.

As CEO of Santan, Catherine focuses on core initiatives under the Santan Food Service Company, including AirAsia Group's inflight catering, B2B sales with other airlines, corporate catering services, the WiFi business and supply chain management. She is also driving the expansion of the AirAsia Grocer portfolio and growing partnerships with brands such as Zus Coffee and Petronas, further diversifying and strengthening the company's offerings.

Catherine joined AirAsia Group in 2014 as a Network, Charter, and Fleet Planner and subsequently held several leadership roles, including Executive Assistant to the Group CEO, Regional Head of Inflight Catering and Regional Head of Inflight Retail. Her extensive experience and track record of success have made her a key contributor to the Group's ongoing transformation and growth.

Catherine holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance and Marketing from Upper Iowa University, United States of America.

Musdalifa, 49, leads GTR, a joint venture between SATS Ltd and AirAsia, driving sustainable growth and innovation. He is responsible for optimising operations, achieving strategic milestones and ensuring the company's continued success in the dynamic aviation industry.

He has over 20 years of experience in finance, audit and leadership within the aviation industry. He began his career as Manager of Internal Audit at Emirates, developing expertise in audit functions and regulatory compliance. In 2017, he became Chief Financial Officer for Asia Pacific at Dnata, where he drove financial strategies to enhance performance. Promoted to Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dnata in 2021, he spearheaded transformative initiatives that improved operational efficiency, profitability and business growth.

Pete, 38, leads Teleport to help businesses move goods reliably across Southeast Asia in a faster, more accessible and affordable way than anyone else.

He has extensive experience in business development, operations and investment banking. As AirAsia's Group Head of Business Development from 2012 to 2016, he established joint ventures in India and Japan and led M&A efforts across several countries. In 2016, as Regional Chief Operating Officer, he successfully turned around AirAsia Philippines. Before joining Capital A, Pete worked as an Investment Banking Analyst with CIMB and as an advisor to the Thailand Trade Representative Office, specialising in cross-border investments and project financing.

Nadia, 46, leads AirAsia MOVE, driving its vision to become the best-value one-stop travel platform in Asean. She focuses on enhancing the platform's offerings, fostering innovation and delivering value to customers and stakeholders across the travel space.

She has extensive experience in category conversion, habit change and building new categories within Asia and Asean. She began her career at P&G and held senior roles at Nestlé and PepsiCo. Before joining AirAsia MOVE, she served as Chief Business Officer of Cars24, Southeast Asia. Nadia is also a mentor at Antler, supporting young founders in tech and e-commerce and is passionate about nurturing talent and empowering young female professionals.