KUALA LUMPUR: Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad (CCMB) confirmed the appointment of Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar as Group Managing Director effective January 9, 2015. Leonard was appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer of CCMB October 1, 2014 following the resignation of Group Managing Director, Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir on September 30, 2014.
Leonard has spearheaded the transformation of the Group’s Pharmaceuticals Division, leveraging its leading position in sterile manufacturing to develop the Biotherapeutics portfolio including inking several strategic collaborations with leading multinational corporations from South Korea and India.
In the process it deepened and widened its market penetration domestically, regionally and building on its leadership in the halal pharmaceuticals segment to propel its growth.
A Bachelor of Economics and LLB graduate of Monash University, Australia, Leonard began his career in 1988 in various capacities in the legal profession before joining the CCM Group in 1990.
In 2000, he assumed the position of Managing Director of Usaha Pharma (M) Sdn Bhd (formerly Prima Health Pharmacy (Retail) Sdn Bhd), CCM’s pharmaceuticals retail arm.
He joined ICI Paints Malaysia Sdn Bhd in 2003, taking on the role of General Manager and subsequently, Managing Director in 2005 until 2007, before re-joining CCM as Chief Executive Officer of CCM Duopharma Biotech Berhad and Director of CCM’s Pharmaceuticals Division on January 1, 2008, positions which he currently holds.
He also holds directorships on the boards of several companies within the CCM Group and PanGen Biotech Inc (Korea).