Esther Teo, CFA, Senior Director, Fixed Income

Esther Teo brings with her more than 22 years investment experience in managing both institutional and unit trust funds. She joined AHAM Asset Management in January 2004 as a portfolio manager responsible for managing the fixed income portfolios for the Malaysian institutional and unit trust funds.  She oversees the portfolio management and investment strategy for the fixed income department.  She is recognised by Asian financial markets specialist, The Asset, as one of the most astute investors in Malaysian Ringgit Bonds and most astute investor in Malaysia for the Asian G3 Currency Bonds categories respectively.

Esther is also a member of the Credit Committee and the Investment Sustainability Committee of AHAM, and the chairperson for the AHAM Group Sustainability Management Committee responsible to steer the AHAM Corporate ESG strategy.     Prior to her tenure at AHAM Asset Management Berhad, Esther was attached to the fixed income desk of RHB Asset Management Sdn. Bhd. covering both institutional and unit trust mandates. She began her career in KPMG Malaysia as a consultant in financial advisory services specialising in corporate debt restructuring and recovery.    Esther graduated from the University of Melbourne, Australia with a Bachelor of Commerce degree majoring in Accounting and Finance and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.

Akmal Hassan, Managing Director / Executive Director, AIIMAN

Akmal Hassan is one of the three pioneering senior members in the establishment of AIIMAN Asset Management Sdn. Bhd. (AIIMAN, formerly known as Asian Islamic Investment Management Sdn. Bhd.) A. He took over the helm as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Director on 18 November 2010. Under his leadership, AIIMAN has grown its asset under management (AUM) from RM 1.3 billion as at end-2010 to RM 23.9 billion as at 31 July 2022, making it one of the top three Islamic investment management companies in Malaysia. Under his management, the business has since turned profitable.

Akmal is actively involved in all aspects of the business’ day-to-day management from leading the investment team, driving marketing strategies, building the business, to guiding the back office team. He believes in development through empowerment and synergy with a clear focus on delivering positive results, from investment performance, AUM growth, adding value to AIIMAN’s shareholders as well as contributing to the government’s push to develop Malaysia as the global international Islamic financial hub.

Akmal is the driving force behind the strong returns and low volatility performance of its investment portfolios as well as AHAM Asset Management Berhad’s (“AHAM Capital”) (formerly known as Affin Hwang Asset Management Berhad) award winning Shariah unit trust funds. People and performance is the source of AIIMAN’s success today. Prior to his current appointment, Akmal was the Chief Investment Officer at a subsidiary of a local Islamic Bank. He has more than 15 years of experience in the investment management industry primarily in portfolio management, investment research and marketing strategy.

Akmal graduated from Oklahoma State University, USA with a degree in Business Administration, majoring in Finance (BSc). He completed his Master in Business Administration (MBA) at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

AmanahRaya Trustees Berhad

Amanie Advisors Sdn. Bhd