Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad (SME Bank), an agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development has announced the appointment of Dato’ Seri Nazir Ariff as the Non Executive Chairman effective 18 October 2019.

Dato’ Seri Nazir Ariff, 73, is a successful corporate figure with vast experience in various industries which among others include, banking, property, mining and commodity. Majoring in accountancy from the United Kingdom, he is also a Fellow of the British Institute of Management.

As an entrepreneur, Dato’ Seri Nazir is the co-founder of the Aspen (Group) Holdings Limited and is currently the Executive Deputy Chairman. Prior to this, he was the Deputy Chairman / Executive Director at the  Ivory Properties Group Berhad from 2006 until 2013.  Dato’ Seri Nazir Ariff  started his working career holding various key positions at Escoy Holdings Berhad (formerly known as Datuk Keramat Holdings Berhad) until the end of his tenure as the Managing Director in 2006. He was also the Chairman of the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Northern Branch) from 1995 to 2018.

Currently, Dato' Seri Nazir Ariff is an Independent Director at Texchem Resources Berhad and PBA Holdings Berhad and is a Director at Thailand Smelting & Refining Co. Limited and Escoy Holding Berhad.

Dato' Seri Nazir Ariff is also active in sports and had served as President of the Football Association of Penang from 2013 to 2017. He is also active in charity work in Penang and holds important positions in several non-government organizations such as the Children Protection Society and Penang Future Foundation.

Aria Putera Ismail, Group President/Chief Executive Officer of SME Bank said, “The appointment of Dato' Seri Nazir Ariff as Chairman of SME Bank is timely as his vast experience in the corporate and business sectors is expected to assist and lead the transformation of SME Bank towards sustainable and effective development.”