Author name: theexchangeasia admin

There are products that sit at the centre of attention. And then there are products that quietly determine whether entire industries continue to function. Lubricants fall firmly into the latter category. Rarely noticed by consumers, they are nevertheless essential to the smooth operation of factories, power stations, shipping fleets, heavy machinery and millions of vehicles on the road. When they perform well, businesses operate seamlessly. When they fail, the consequences are measured in costly downtime, disrupted supply chains and operational risk.  Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Glide Technology Sdn Bhd – Datuk Muhazli Muhamad. For Glide Technology, this unseen role has become the foundation of a business built not simply on manufacturing lubricants, but on keeping industries moving. Since its establishment in 2007, the Malaysian company has grown into the country’s largest independent lubricant manufacturer, producing a comprehensive range of automotive, industrial, marine, power generation and transformer oils. Yet despite its scale, the company’s greatest asset is something less tangible than its products. It is trust. Today, Glide Technology counts organisations such as Petronas and the Malaysian Armed Forces among those who rely on its products, while its lubricants are exported to more than ten countries—a reflection of a reputation earned through consistency, reliability and long-term performance. The Business Behind Continuous Operations Every manufacturing line, logistics network and power facility depends on uninterrupted operations. While machinery often receives the spotlight, the systems that keep those machines performing efficiently are rarely discussed. Glide Technology sees its role differently. Beyond manufacturing lubricants, the company positions itself as an enabler of business continuity. Its products reduce wear, improve equipment performance and minimise operational interruptions, allowing customers to focus on running their businesses rather than responding to unexpected breakdowns. In an economy where downtime carries significant financial consequences, reliability has become a competitive advantage in its own right. For Glide Technology, success is measured not by the moments customers notice its products, but by the countless occasions when they never have to think about them at all. Building Through Partnership In highly competitive industrial markets, product quality is only one part of the equation. Long-term success increasingly depends on collaboration. Rather than approaching business through transactional relationships, Glide Technology has built its growth strategy around partnerships that create shared value across the supply chain. Leadership believes no single company possesses every capability required to solve increasingly complex industrial challenges, making collaboration an essential part of innovation rather than a competitive compromise. This philosophy extends beyond manufacturing. Recognising changing customer behaviour, the company has also begun expanding its digital presence through the soft launch of its TikTok Shop, making its products more accessible to everyday consumers while complementing its established industrial customer base. It reflects a broader commitment to meeting customers wherever they choose to engage—whether through enterprise partnerships or digital commerce. Growth Measured by Value For many manufacturers, growth is often associated with production volumes or annual revenue. Glide Technology views it differently. Its leadership defines growth by the value created for customers throughout the supply chain. Helping businesses improve reliability, reduce operational risk and overcome increasingly complex challenges carries greater long-term significance than pursuing rapid expansion for its own sake. This perspective has also shaped the opportunities the company chooses not to pursue. Growth that compromises product quality or weakens customer relationships has little strategic value. Instead, the company has remained committed to steady, sustainable progress built upon consistency, trust and long-term partnerships. It is an approach that recognises reputation as one of the most valuable assets any industrial business can possess. Innovation With Responsibility Industrial manufacturing is entering a new era where performance and sustainability must increasingly coexist. Rather than treating environmental responsibility as a separate initiative, Glide Technology has begun integrating it directly into product development. One of its most significant recent initiatives has been collaborating with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board to develop a palm oil-based transformer oil—an alternative to conventional mineral oil that is biodegradable and derived from locally sourced materials. The decision required greater investment and longer development timelines than conventional alternatives. However, leadership viewed it as an opportunity to demonstrate how Malaysian innovation can contribute to building more sustainable energy infrastructure while creating new possibilities for locally developed industrial technologies. It reflects a belief that responsible innovation often requires choosing the more challenging path when it creates greater long-term value. Looking Beyond Borders Having established a strong domestic presence, Glide Technology is now preparing for its next phase of growth. International expansion remains a key priority, alongside strengthening its reach into the consumer market for the first time. Supporting this ambition requires transformation from within. The company continues investing in production automation, digitalising operational processes and developing a workforce capable of competing within an increasingly global industry. These internal investments are designed not simply to improve efficiency, but to create an organisation capable of adapting to changing technologies, evolving customer expectations and new international opportunities. The Confidence to Keep Moving Industrial businesses are often judged by the products they manufacture. The strongest ones, however, are ultimately defined by the confidence they inspire. For nearly two decades, Glide Technology has quietly contributed to the performance of industries that power economies, move goods and connect communities. Its products may operate behind the scenes, but their impact is felt wherever reliability, efficiency and continuity matter most. As the company expands into new markets, embraces digital transformation and invests in more sustainable technologies, its direction remains remarkably consistent with the philosophy that has guided it since the beginning. Not simply producing lubricants. But helping industries move forward with confidence—one innovation, one partnership and one drop at a time.  

UOB Private Bank has appointed Judy Chan as its new Managing Director for Hong Kong, strengthening the bank’s leadership capabilities and commitment to expanding its wealth management presence in the region. Based in Hong Kong, Chan will report to Chew Mun Yew, Head of Group Private Bank, and will be responsible for overseeing key areas including client coverage, team leadership and the delivery of customised wealth solutions for high-net-worth (HNW) clients. UOB Private Bank has appointed Judy Chan as its new Managing Director for Hong Kong. In her new role, Chan will also support the bank’s efforts in enhancing client engagement, driving market development initiatives and executing UOB Private Bank’s strategic priorities in Hong Kong, one of Asia’s most important wealth management markets. With nearly 30 years of experience across the private banking and commercial banking sectors, Chan brings extensive expertise in managing client relationships, growing businesses and developing long-term wealth strategies for affluent customers. Throughout her career, she has held senior leadership positions focused on team management, business expansion, relationship development, wealth planning and intergenerational succession planning, helping clients navigate complex financial needs across generations. UOB Private Bank said Chan’s appointment reflects its continued efforts to strengthen its Hong Kong wealth management platform while enhancing its ability to serve the growing needs of high-net-worth individuals and families across Asia. The bank added that her experience and leadership capabilities will support its broader strategy of delivering more personalised financial solutions, deepening client relationships and expanding its wealth management capabilities in key regional markets. As demand for sophisticated wealth solutions continues to rise across Asia, UOB Private Bank remains focused on building strong advisory capabilities and providing clients with integrated solutions that address investment, succession and long-term wealth preservation needs.

Global insurance company Chubb has appointed Gurudutt Joglekar as its new Country President for Malaysia, effective immediately, as the company continues strengthening its leadership team and expanding its presence in the Malaysian insurance market. Joglekar succeeds Jon Longmore, who will transition into a new role within Chubb. The company said further details regarding Longmore’s next appointment will be announced at a later date. Chubb has appointed Gurudutt Joglekar as its new Country President for Malaysia. In his new role, Joglekar will oversee Chubb Malaysia’s general insurance operations, covering key business segments including Personal Lines, Accident & Health, and Commercial Property & Casualty insurance. He will report directly to Marcos Gunn, Chubb’s Regional President for Asia Pacific, as part of the company’s regional leadership structure. Joglekar joined Chubb in June 2026 as Deputy Country President and brings more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, with expertise spanning markets including Malaysia, Hong Kong and India. Throughout his career, Joglekar has built extensive experience across various areas of insurance, including motor insurance, commercial property and casualty underwriting, portfolio management and business transformation initiatives. His industry background includes driving operational improvements, strengthening underwriting capabilities and supporting organisational growth in competitive insurance markets. Chubb said Joglekar’s appointment reflects its continued commitment to developing strong leadership capabilities while supporting the company’s long-term growth strategy in Malaysia. With evolving customer expectations, increasing demand for risk management solutions and a rapidly changing business environment, Chubb continues to focus on enhancing its insurance offerings, strengthening distribution capabilities and delivering greater value to customers and business partners. Joglekar’s appointment marks the next phase of leadership for Chubb Malaysia as the company continues building on its position as a leading provider of general insurance solutions in the country.

InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, the parent company of India’s largest airline IndiGo, has appointed Kiran Thadimarri as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), replacing Gaurav Negi, who has moved into an advisory role supporting IndiGo Managing Director Rahul Bhatia. The company’s board approved the leadership changes during its meeting on Monday, with Negi officially stepping down from the CFO position effective July 27 before transitioning into his new advisory role. InterGlobe Aviation Ltd,  Kiran Thadimarri as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Thadimarri, who previously served as Deputy CFO of InterGlobe Aviation, brings more than 24 years of finance experience across various industries. His professional background includes leadership roles at InterGlobe Enterprises, Udaan, Genworks Health and General Electric, where he gained expertise in financial planning, treasury management, fundraising, taxation, auditing and investor relations. Meanwhile, Negi leaves the CFO role after more than 20 years of experience in finance and corporate governance. Prior to joining IndiGo, he held several senior finance positions at General Electric, including CFO roles for GE Renewable Onshore Wind Asia Pacific, GE Healthcare and GE NBCU. InterGlobe Aviation did not disclose specific reasons behind the leadership transition, stating only that Negi will continue contributing to the company in an advisory capacity while Thadimarri has been elevated from Deputy CFO to CFO. The appointment comes shortly after IndiGo reported a consolidated net loss of ₹238 crore for the June quarter, impacted by higher aviation fuel expenses, depreciation of the Indian rupee and operational disruptions caused by geopolitical challenges in West Asia. Despite the quarterly loss, the airline recorded higher revenue during the period, reflecting continued demand growth within India’s aviation market. In a separate development, IndiGo disclosed that it had received a customs order requiring the airline to pay additional duties on imported goods covering the period from April 2020 to March 2024, along with a penalty amounting to ₹1.14 crore. The airline said it disagrees with the customs classification findings and intends to challenge the order through the appropriate legal channels. IndiGo added that it does not expect the matter to have any material impact on its financial performance or ongoing operations. The appointment of Thadimarri marks another step in IndiGo’s leadership evolution as the airline continues expanding its operations and strengthening its financial management capabilities amid a rapidly growing aviation sector.

Global investment firm KKR has appointed Roy Gori, the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Manulife, as a Senior Advisor, strengthening the firm’s expertise in the global financial services and insurance sectors. Former President and Chief Executive Officer at Manulife, Roy Gori appointed as a Senior Advisor at KKR. In his new role, Gori will advise KKR on strategic opportunities across financial services and insurance, with a particular focus on Asia Pacific and other international markets. He will also provide strategic guidance on areas including insurance, wealth management, banking, distribution networks and related financial services platforms. KKR said Gori will work closely with the firm’s senior leadership team and investment professionals, offering insights into market dynamics, regulatory developments, distribution strategies, partnerships and cross-border growth opportunities as the company continues expanding its global financial services platform. The appointment brings to KKR one of the industry’s most experienced executives, with decades of leadership across insurance, wealth management and retail financial services in Asia Pacific, North America and other international markets. Gori previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Manulife from 2017 until his retirement in 2025, leading one of the world’s largest insurance and asset management companies through a period of significant transformation and growth. Before becoming group CEO, he was President and CEO of Manulife Asia, where he oversaw the company’s operations across 12 markets, driving business expansion and strengthening its regional presence. He began his career at Citibank in 1989, holding leadership roles within the bank’s Asia Pacific retail business, including responsibilities covering insurance and wealth management operations. Commenting on the appointment, KKR Co-Chief Executive Officers Joe Bae and Scott Nuttall said Gori’s extensive experience would further strengthen the firm’s global financial services capabilities. “We are pleased to welcome Roy to KKR as a Senior Advisor. Roy is one of the most respected leaders in financial services, with decades of experience building and growing businesses across Asia Pacific and internationally. We look forward to working with him as we continue to expand our global platform,” they said. Meanwhile, Billy Butcher and Manu Sareen, Co-Chief Executive Officers of Global Atlantic, KKR’s insurance business, said Gori’s appointment would add valuable strategic expertise to the firm’s expanding insurance platform. “Roy’s deep expertise in insurance, wealth management and distribution, combined with his extensive experience across Asia Pacific and globally, will provide valuable strategic perspective as KKR continues to expand its global financial services platform and pursue new partnership and growth opportunities,” they said. Speaking on his appointment, Gori said he was excited to join KKR at a time when the firm is experiencing significant growth across both regional and international markets. “I am excited to join KKR at a time of tremendous opportunity for the firm in Asia Pacific and globally,” he said. The appointment reflects KKR’s continued focus on strengthening its leadership bench and expanding its presence in the financial services sector, particularly as demand for insurance, wealth management and investment solutions continues to grow across Asia Pacific and other key global markets.