Chief Executive Officer, Trustees & Custody Business

Affin Bank Berhad; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent financial institution in Kuala Lumpur is seeking a CEO to provide leadership and strategic direction for its Trustee and Custodian businesses. The CEO will be responsible for business growth, governance, risk management, and talent development. Ideal candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Law, 10 years in the Trustee industry, and proven leadership in financial services. This role requires strong financial acumen and regulatory engagement skills to drive business performance and maintain high governance standards.

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in the Trustee industry.
• Experience in Custody business is an added advantage.
• Strong knowledge of financial regulations and governance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a long-term strategic plan for the Trustee business.
• Lead AHTB’s custodian business and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Oversee talent development and build a high-performing team.

Skills

Leadership experience in financial services

Client management

Strategic business development

Understanding of trust laws

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Law or relevant fields

Job description

The CEO provides overall leadership and strategic direction for the Trustee and Custodian businesses, under AHTB, a trustee company under AHIB. This role ensures each function meets its fiduciary, regulatory, and operational obligations while supporting the Group’s strategic ambitions. The CEO will drive the company’s growth and is accountable for business performance, governance, risk management, service excellence, and talent development across both functions.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Business Growth

Develop and execute a long‑term strategic plan to grow the AHTB’s trustee business.

Expand the company’s market presence by identifying new business opportunities, partnerships, and innovative trustee services.

Strengthen client relationships and enhance value propositions across corporate and private trust services.

Uphold fiduciary duties over collective investment schemes, private retirement schemes, and trust structures.

Ensure proper administration, monitoring, and enforcement of trust deeds.

Custodian

Lead and grow AHTB’s custodian business, including safekeeping of assets, settlement services, and corporate action processing for institutional, corporate, and high‑net‑worth clients.

Oversee the development and enhancement of custody operations aligned with Securities Commission (SC) guidelines and industry best practices.

Drive the expansion of custody offerings across traditional assets (equities, fixed income, unit trusts) and emerging asset classes, in alignment with regulatory boundaries.

Strengthen operational controls and risk management frameworks to safeguard client assets and ensure the integrity of custody records and reporting.

Build strategic partnerships with asset managers, brokers, fund administrators, and digital platforms to broaden market reach.

Position AHTB as a trusted and competitive custodian service provider within the Malaysian financial ecosystem.

Oversee custodian fee structures, pricing strategies, and cost optimisation to ensure profitability and long‑term business sustainability.

Regulatory & Governance Compliance

Ensure full compliance with all regulatory requirements, covering reporting authorities such as local trust laws, Securities Commission (SC) guidelines, Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM) guidelines, and common law fiduciary duties for the Trustee business.

Securities Commission (SC) guidelines, supervised by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) for the Custody Business.

Act as the primary liaison with regulatory bodies, auditors, and relevant authorities to maintain a high standard of governance.

Implement robust risk management frameworks to safeguard client assets and ensure operational integrity.

Oversee profit & loss (P&L) accountability for both businesses, including budgeting, financial planning, resource allocation, cost control, and revenue optimisation.

Leadership & Talent Development

Build and lead a high‑performing team, fostering a strong culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation.

Oversee talent development, ensuring the right skills and competencies are in place for the future growth of the business.

Promote a culture of strong ethical standards and fiduciary responsibility.

Stakeholder Management & Reporting

Lead reporting to AHIB leadership, board members, investors, and key stakeholders to provide regular updates on business performance and strategic initiatives.

Represent the company in industry forums, client engagements, and regulatory discussions.

Maintain high levels of transparency, accountability, and corporate governance in decision-making and reporting.

Skills & Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law or any relevant fields.
• 10 years of experience in the Trustee industry.
• Experience in Custody business is an added advantage.
• Proven leadership experience in trustee, custodian, wealth management, or financial services.
• Strong knowledge of trust laws, account servicing, custodian operations, financial regulations, and governance frameworks.
• Demonstrated track record in strategy, business development, client management, and operational leadership.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and P&L management.
• Good stakeholder management and regulatory engagement skills.