KLK names Lee Jia Zhang CEO as company prepares for leadership transition

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) has appointed chief operating officer Lee Jia Zhang as its new chief executive officer, marking a leadership transition from his father, executive chairman Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian.

Lee Jia Zhang will assume the CEO role on October 1. His appointment is part of KLK’s planned leadership transition and is intended to maintain continuity in the group’s strategic and operational direction.

His father, Oi Hian, served as KLK’s CEO for more than three decades. He became group chairman and CEO in 1993 and stepped down as chairman in 2008, while continuing as CEO until February 2024. He was subsequently redesignated executive chairman, with Jia Zhang continuing to oversee day-to-day operations as COO.

Jia Zhang joined KLK in 2010 and has held leadership positions across its plantation, oleochemical, refinery, property and corporate businesses.

He joined KLK’s board as executive director in May 2018 and was appointed COO in October 2021. He previously served as managing director of Palm-Oleo Sdn Bhd and CEO of KLK OLEO.

Before joining KLK, he worked in audit roles at Ernst & Young in the UK and KPMG in Kuala Lumpur. His industry roles include chairman of the Asean Oleochemical Manufacturers Group, secretary and council member of the Malaysian Palm Oil Association, and board member of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council.

Jia Zhang holds a master’s degree with honours in chemical engineering from Imperial College London and is a chartered accountant and member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

The appointment represents a succession planned over several years, with Jia Zhang having already taken on increasing operational responsibility within the group.

Oi Hian said the board was confident that his successor would build on KLK’s existing foundations and support its long-term growth ambitions.

The transition comes as KLK continues to position itself as a diversified agri-based organisation spanning plantations, oleochemicals, property and related businesses.