Hasnita Hashim has been appointed as chairperson of Mara, the Prime Minister’s Office announced today.

Hasnita, who presently chairs the Maybank Asset Management Group and sits on the board of the bank, was described as having 26 years’ experience in global financial management.

She began her career as an actuary and remains an associate of the Institute of Actuaries, London. She holds a PhD in nuclear physics from Oxford University.

Besides Hasnita, six Mara board members have also been appointed.

They include International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) rector Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, economist and Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) chairperson Nungsari Ahmad Radhi and Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd managing director Wira Ameer Ali Mydin.

They also include Maybank Life Assurance Bhd chairperson Syed Tamim Ansari Syed Mohamed, former Proton CEO Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff and Allianz Malaysia Bhd CEO Zakri Khir.

These appointments are effective from Oct 1.