Allianz Malaysia Berhad has appointed Zakri Khir as chairman.
Khir (pictured) succeeds Tan Sri Datuk Rafiah Salim who retired at the company’s 48th Annual General Meeting on 22 June, following a decade-long career with the firm.
Rafiah has been a director for the company since 2012 and was previously vice-chancellor at University Malaya.
She was also the first Malaysian to hold a high-ranking post at the United Nations in New York when she served as assistant secretary-general of human resource management from 1997 to 2002.
Zakri Khir joined Allianz Malaysia in 2000 and served as chief executive officer of Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad from December 2010 to June 2021.
He was also the CEO of the company and country manager of Allianz Malaysia from September 2014 to December 2021. He played a pivotal role in the acquisition of Malaysia British Assurance Berhad by Allianz in 2001 and later the successful integration of Commerce Assurance Berhad in 2007.
Rafiah said: “It has been a privilege and an honour to have served as chairman of the Malaysian entity of one of the largest global insurers. As I call time on my career with Allianz Malaysia, I am content and perfectly happy with what we have achieved, and it is with great confidence that I pass the mantle to Zakri.
“As our former CEO, I have witnessed Zakri’s foresight, bold business moves and impeccable leadership, and I am very excited to see what the future holds for the company.”
Allianz Malaysia Berhad, a subsidiary of Allianz SE, is the investment holding company for Allianz General and Allianz Life Insurance Malaysia Berhad.