Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, the focal point agency for Malaysia’s startup ecosystem under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI), proudly announces the appointment of Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), effective November 23, 2023.
Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, of Malay and Belgian descent, has been serving as the acting GCEO of Cradle since June 1, 2022. Joining Cradle in 2020 as the Head of Finance and Corporate Services, Norman brings a wealth of experience, having started his professional journey as an auditor at KPMG.
Throughout his career, he has held key positions in strategy, finance, and management in both local and multinational oil & gas-related companies and government agencies. Norman holds degrees in Accounting from the University of Queensland, Australia, and Software Engineering from Multimedia University, Malaysia. His passion for technology and innovation has been a driving force, inspiring him to elevate local Malaysian tech companies to global competitiveness.
Cradle Chairman Datuk Yvonne Chia commended the appointment, emphasising that Norman’s promotion reflects the organization’s commitment to nurturing internal talent and effective succession planning. “Over the past 18 months, Norman has proven his leadership skills as the acting GCEO, significantly impacting the organisation under his guidance. With his solid background and expertise, and his demonstrated track record of success, I’m assured that Cradle will continue to spearhead the nation’s startup agenda bringing positive impact to society, individuals and businesses, as well as the country as a whole, echoing the objectives of Malaysia MADANI,” said Datuk Yvonne.
Cradle acknowledges the unwavering support from the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and MOSTI throughout its journey. The collaboration between Cradle and these ministries has played a pivotal role in shaping an inclusive, impactful, and sustainable startup ecosystem, aligning with the government’s goal to position Malaysia in the Top 20 Global Startup Ecosystem by 2030. The steadfast commitment of MOF and MOSTI has fueled startup growth and significantly contributed to the broader economic landscape.
