Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad announce the appointment of Lee Jia Zhang as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 October 2026. Lee, who currently serves as Chief Operating Officer, will be redesignated as CEO as part of the Group’s orderly leadership transition and to support continuity in KLK’s strategic and operational direction.
Having served in various roles within KLK since 2010, Lee has developed a strong understanding of the Group’s businesses, culture and strategic priorities. His experience spans the Group’s Plantation, Oleochemical, Refinery, Property and Corporate activities, giving him broad management and leadership experience across KLK’s diversified operations.
Lee joined KLK in April 2010, following earlier roles in audit with Ernst & Young LLP in the United Kingdom and KPMG in Kuala Lumpur. During his career with KLK, he has held various leadership positions in the Oleochemical and Corporate divisions, including Managing Director of Palm-Oleo Sdn Bhd from January 2017 to December 2018 and CEO of KLK OLEO from April 2022 to September 2024. He was appointed to KLK Board as Executive Director on 16 May 2018 and assumed the role of KLK COO on 1 October 2021.
He is actively involved in the oleochemical and palm oil industries. He currently serves as Chairman of the ASEAN Oleochemical Manufacturers Group, Secretary and Council Member of the Malaysian Palm Oil Association, and a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council. He has previously served as Chairman of the Malaysian Oleochemical Manufacturers Group, Board Member of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), and Executive Committee Member of the
Chemical Industries Council of Malaysia.
Lee holds a Master’s Degree with Honours in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London, United Kingdom. He is a Chartered Accountant and a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. He has also completed the Accelerated Development Programme at the University of Chicago Booth School of Busines
