Sime Darby Plantation (SDP) is excited to announce the appointment of Mr. Mohd Haris Mohd Arshad as the Group Chief Operating Officer, effective from 1st January 2024.
In his new capacity, Mr. Haris will take charge of overseeing the operations of Upstream Malaysia, Upstream Indonesia, and Upstream Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands.
Furthermore, Mr. Haris will continue in his role as the Managing Director of Sime Darby Oils, spearheading initiatives in market expansion and revenue growth.
“This new appointment underscores Sime Darby Plantation’s preparedness for the future. Building on past achievements, Haris’s leadership will play a pivotal role in steering our business through the opportunities and challenges that come with a global footprint. As we experience rapid growth across our supply chain and integrate new technologies, we eagerly anticipate a new era of operational excellence under Haris’ guidance,” said SDP’s Group Managing Director, Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha.
In addition to his primary responsibilities, Haris will lead various key corporate initiatives for the Group, integral to SDP’s journey towards operational excellence, environmental stewardship, and innovation.
“I am also pleased to announce the formation of the Operations Leadership Team (OLT), effective from 1 February, which will be chaired by Mr. Haris. The OLT will consist of the three Chief Executive Officers responsible for our Upstream operations, the Chief Operating Officer of Sime Darby Oils, and the Chief Research & Development Officer. The OLT is instrumental in ensuring seamless alignment and coordination of our strategic efforts,” added Mohamad Helmy.
Mr. Haris initially joined the Group in 2014 as Head of Trading & Marketing and also led the Plantation Division’s Downstream Manufacturing Division. He assumed the role of Managing Director of Sime Darby Oils in March 2019.
With a career spanning nearly three decades, Mr. Haris began his professional journey in 1995 as a trader with Cargill in Malaysia, focusing on palm oil and palm products trading. Later, he held pivotal global and regional roles in cocoa procurement, commodity risk management, and oils and fats procurement at Nestle and Unilever.
Mr. Haris holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Arizona (1994) and attended the Advanced Management Program (AMP) at the Harvard Business School in 2019.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to the continued success of Sime Darby Plantation. As a group, we shall remain dedicated to upholding the highest standards of service that our customers expect and deserve. Together, with the talented teams we have, I am confident that we will achieve sustained growth and further enhance our position as a leader in the industry,” expressed Haris Arshad.
