The Board of Directors of Cradle Fund Sdn. Bhd (Cradle) has announced that Rafiza Ghazali, will step down as Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) and relinquish her role with effect from 31 May 2022 to pursue other opportunities.
In the interim, the Board has appointed Cradle’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Services, Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke as Acting GCEO.
The appointment is effective 1 June 2022 until a permanent replacement is confirmed. Rafiza has been instrumental in expanding the mandate for Cradle beyond providing grants, to it now taking a leading role as the start-up ecosystem builder via the MYStartup Strategy.
During her tenure, Cradle was designated the focal point for the Malaysian Start-up Ecosystem and as the coordinating agency for the Malaysian Startup Ecosystem Roadmap 2021-2030 (SUPER).
With the support of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), the Board is now undertaking a robust review and assessment process to identify a suitable replacement for Rafiza.
The new appointment will be announced once a decision and all necessary approvals have been obtained.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to record our sincere appreciation and gratitude to Rafiza for her contribution to Cradle and the start-up community. During her tenure Rafiza has worked effectively with all our key stakeholders and demonstrated her capabilities in repositioning Cradle to play a leadership role in the Malaysian Start-up Ecosystem.
“At a personal level, Rafiza has also set an exemplary model of the participation of women in senior positions in the digital and start-up arena. We wish Rafiza all the best in her future undertakings” said Datuk Yvonne Chia, Chairman of Cradle.