[Profile] Dato' Khairussaleh Ramli: The Architect of Maybank's Regional Talent Strategy

The Profile Snapshot

In the high-stakes world of ASEAN banking, few leaders command as much respect for their strategic foresight and people-centric approach as Dato' Khairussaleh Ramli. As the President & Group CEO of Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank), he is the steady hand guiding Southeast Asia's fourth-largest bank by assets through a period of profound digital and economic transformation.

• 👨‍💼 Name: Dato' Khairussaleh Ramli
• 🏷️ Role: President & Group CEO, Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank)
• 🔑 Key Superpower: Strategic People Architect & Sustainable Growth Champion

The Catalyst: Why It Matters

Dato' Khairussaleh is making headlines for his incisive commentary on the region's evolving talent landscape. In a recent closed-door industry roundtable, his analysis of Singapore's 2026 salary projection data—where tech and green economy roles command up to 25% raises, while traditional roles lag at 3%—resonated powerfully. He framed it not just as a Singapore story, but as a critical bellwether for Malaysia and the entire ASEAN region, highlighting the urgent need for workforce reskilling and strategic investment in future-proof capabilities.

The Leadership Dialogue: Inside The Mindset

Reflecting on the stark disparity in projected wage growth, Dato' Khairussaleh speaks with the calm conviction of a leader who has navigated multiple cycles. He emphasizes that the numbers are a symptom, not the disease. "The real story," he notes, leaning forward, "is the acceleration of value creation. It's a clear market signal that capital—both financial and human—is rapidly flowing towards digital innovation and sustainability. For a bank like ours, embedded across ASEAN, our primary role is to facilitate this transition, not just fund it."

He candidly admits that the talent gap keeps him awake at night, but frames it as Maybank's greatest opportunity. When discussing Maybank's own "FutureReady" talent programme, his eyes light up. "We are not just bankers; we are nation-builders in the digital age. Our mission is to equip our people—and by extension, our customers—with the tools to thrive in this new value economy. A 25% premium for a green fintech specialist isn't a cost; it's an investment in the region's economic sovereignty." His vision is one of a symbiotic ecosystem where Maybank's growth is inextricably linked to the upskilling of the communities it serves.

Career Milestones & Achievements

• Spearheaded Maybank's successful navigation through the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining robust capital ratios and launching targeted relief schemes that supported over 700,000 customers, solidifying the bank's reputation as a pillar of stability.
• Architected and launched the M25+ strategic plan, decisively pivoting the group's focus towards digital banking, sustainable finance, and ASEAN connectivity, setting a clear roadmap for the post-pandemic era.
• Championed the Group's sustainability agenda, overseeing the issuance of Maybank's first Sustainability Sukuk and integrating ESG principles deeply into its lending framework, positioning Maybank as a regional leader in sustainable finance.
• Steered Maybank to record profits in recent years, demonstrating an exceptional ability to balance aggressive growth targets with prudent risk management and regulatory compliance.

The Editor's Take

Dato' Khairussaleh Ramli embodies the modern ASEAN CEO: deeply rooted in traditional values of trust and relationship-building, yet relentlessly forward-looking. He is a pragmatic visionary who understands that a bank's greatest asset in the 21st century is not its balance sheet, but its ability to cultivate and harness human capital aligned with tomorrow's economy. His leadership is characterized by a rare blend of strategic patience and decisive action.

• 👁️ Visionary Thinking: 9/10
• ⚡ Execution Capability: 8/10
• 🌟 Industry Influence: 9/10

"In finance, we often talk about managing risk. The greatest risk today is not in our loan books, but in failing to invest in the people who will write the next chapter of our region's growth story."