FGV Holdings chief strategic comms officer set to conclude tenure

Azmi Yaakop, chief strategic communications officer at FGV Holdings, is approaching the conclusion of his four-year contract, officially wrapping up his tenure at the end of June 2026.

Since joining the integrated agribusiness in July 2022, he has played a pivotal role in shaping FGV’s external and internal communications, cementing the company’s narrative as a global, integrated, and sustainable food and agribusiness leader.

His responsibilities spanned overseeing messaging for more than 52,000 employees across operations in Asia, the Middle East, North America, and Europe, managing stakeholder relations from shareholders to regulators, and championing the company’s ESG and sustainability initiatives across five pillars: economic growth, social impact, governance, environmental protection, and innovation.

Don't miss: Regina Lee takes on new role at Khazanah Nasional

Reflecting on his tenure, Azmi shared with A+M: “When I accepted the opportunity to join FGV in July 2022, it was never just about a role. It was about purpose. I truly believed, and still do, that the work we do contributes to nation-building. There is immense pride in knowing that our efforts support Malaysia’s economic growth, particularly through our robust palm oil ecosystem and strong consumer brands like SAJI, Seri Pelangi, Ladang 57, and Gula Prai.”

He also credited the people around him as key to his success: “I remain profoundly grateful to both the previous and current leadership of FGV for their trust and confidence. To my 17-strong team, your loyalty, passion, and commitment, with zero resignations since I joined, speak volumes about your character. Together, we strengthened corporate positioning, elevated brand management, and supported diverse business units across sectors. You truly made the journey special.”

Azmi’s experience in strategic communications and sustainability extends beyond FGV. He previously held senior roles at BAT, including head of external affairs for ESG, sustainability, and new categories, where he championed sustainability initiatives aligned with global UN SDGs and acted as chief sustainability officer within BAT Malaysia’s Sustainability Board Committee. His earlier career spans corporate and public affairs positions at Aramco, BASF Petronas Chemicals, Celcom Axiata, Shell, MIMOS Berhad, and the 1Malaysia branding committee.

Looking ahead, Azmi is optimistic about his next chapter. “As my contract concludes on 30 June, I look forward to building on over 26 years of experience in strategic communications, branding, marketing, stakeholder management, and ESG advocacy. I am keen to continue contributing at a leadership level within a public-listed company or multinational corporation,” he says.

On the evolution of the communications profession, Azmi said: “It has moved from being seen as a support function to a strategic pillar of leadership. Today, communications shape corporate reputation, stakeholder trust, and long-term value creation. To young professionals: always be true to yourselves, be genuine, and keep upgrading your skills and knowledge. I am excited about what lies ahead — ready to build, transform, and lead again.”

Throughout his tenure at FGV, Azmi has overseen the company’s transformation from the “old FGV” into a governance-driven, forward-looking organization. He credits his success to teamwork, strategic vision, and a commitment to ESG, leaving a lasting imprint on the company’s communications, brand, and sustainability journey.

In recent people movements within the communications industry, Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional had appointed Regina Lee as its new senior vice president of strategic communications and public affairs in November. Lee most recently served as the head of group corporate communications at OSK Group, a position she left at the start of November after one and a half years with the property and investment conglomerate.

Taking over Lee's role at OSK is Amelia Lim, bringing more than two decades of experience in corporate storytelling and reputation management to the conglomerate's management team. She officially stepped into the role on 2 January 2026.

Meanwhile, PETRONAS had also appointed Arni Laily Anwarrudin as its new senior general manager of strategic communications within the group strategic relations and communications division, effective 1 November 2025.

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