by SHAFIQQUL ALIFF / pic credit: cradle.com.my

CRADLE Fund Sdn Bhd has appointed Cradle Senior Vice President of Corporate Services Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke (picture) as the Group’s Acting Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) replacing Rafiza Ghazali who will resign as GCEO and step down from her post effective May 31, 2022.

The appointment is effective June 1, 2022 until a permanent replacement is confirmed.

Cradle Fund chairman Datuk Yvonne Chia stated during her tenure Rafiza has worked effectively with all their key stakeholders and demonstrated her capabilities in repositioning Cradle to play a leadership role in the Malaysian Start-up Ecosystem.

She said Rafiza has also set an exemplary model of the participation of women in senior positions in the digital and start-up arena at a personal level.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to record our sincere appreciation and gratitude to Rafiza for her contribution to Cradle and the start-up community. We wish Rafiza all the best in her future undertakings,” Yvonne said

In the meantime, the group will continue to work closely with Vanhaecke and the Senior Management at Cradle to provide the necessary support for a smooth and seamless leadership transition.

Rafiza has been instrumental in expanding the mandate for Cradle beyond providing grants, to it now taking a leading role as the start-up ecosystem builder via the MYStartup Strategy.

During her tenure, Cradle has designated the focal point for the Malaysian Start-up Ecosystem and as the coordinating agency for the Malaysian Startup Ecosystem Roadmap 2021-2030 (SUPER).

The group said they are now undertaking a robust review and assessment process to identify a suitable replacement for Rafiza, with the support of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI).