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

The Profile Snapshot

In the rarefied air of Southeast Asia's financial elite, Dato' Khairussaleh Ramli stands as a pivotal figure. As the President & Group CEO of Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank), he commands one of the region's largest and most influential banking groups. Yet, his influence extends far beyond balance sheets and quarterly reports. He is increasingly recognized as a strategic thinker shaping the very fabric of the region's future workforce.

• 👨‍💼 Name: Dato' Khairussaleh Ramli
• 🏷️ Role: President & Group CEO, Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank)
• 🔑 Key Superpower: Strategic Talent Architect & Regional Integrator

The Catalyst: Why It Matters

Dato' Khairussaleh is making headlines not for a financial deal, but for his profound commentary on the future of work. In a recent high-level regional forum, he dissected the stark realities of Singapore's 2026 salary projections—where tech and green economy roles command up to 25% pay raises, while traditional sectors lag at 3%. For him, this isn't just a Singapore story; it's a clarion call for Malaysia and ASEAN. He positioned this wage divergence as a direct map of regional competitive advantage, urging Malaysian businesses to see talent strategy as their core survival mechanism in the ASEAN Economic Community.

The Leadership Dialogue: Inside The Mindset

Reflecting on the data, Dato' Khairussaleh speaks with the calm conviction of a chess master several moves ahead. He doesn't see the 25% premium for tech roles as a cost crisis, but as a market signal of immense opportunity. "The war for talent is no longer a corporate HR function," he emphasizes, leaning forward. "It is the frontline of national economic strategy. When Singapore pays 25% more for a data scientist, they are not just filling a job. They are buying sovereignty over the next decade's critical infrastructure."

His eyes light up when discussing Malaysia's position. He candidly admits the challenge but pivots quickly to a vision of synergy. For him, Malaysia's strength lies in its scale, diversity, and potential to be the region's talent incubator. "We must move beyond the brain drain narrative," he asserts. "Think brain circulation. A Malaysian tech talent working in Singapore on an ASEAN digital project brings back expertise, networks, and capital. Our role is to build the ecosystem so compelling that the circle completes itself here." He envisions Maybank not just as a bank, but as a platform enabling this cross-border talent and value flow, particularly in sustainable finance and digital ecosystems.

Career Milestones & Achievements

• Spearheaded Maybank's post-pandemic "Forward23" strategic refresh, steering the group to record profitability and reinforcing its position as Malaysia's largest bank by market capitalization.
• Architected and championed Maybank's regional integration strategy, deepening its presence in ASEAN growth markets like Indonesia and the Philippines, making cross-border talent deployment a competitive advantage.
• Pioneered the bank's strong ESG and Sustainable Finance framework, positioning Maybank as a regional leader and attracting a new generation of talent passionate about impact-driven finance.
• Successfully navigated multiple economic cycles, from the Asian Financial Crisis to the COVID-19 pandemic, building a reputation for resilient and principled leadership.
• Instrumental in fostering a performance culture anchored in strong governance and digital innovation, transforming the century-old institution for the digital age.

The Editor's Take

Dato' Khairussaleh Ramli represents a breed of leader who operates at the intersection of finance, geopolitics, and human capital. He is a pragmatic visionary, capable of reading dry salary surveys as strategic intelligence for national and regional competition. His leadership is less about charismatic pronouncements and more about building resilient, interconnected systems—whether financial or human.

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

"In ASEAN, our greatest asset is not in our ground, but in our people. The future belongs to economies that can attract, develop, and circulate talent, not just retain it."