PROTON Holdings today announced the appointment of Datuk Sri Syed Faisal Albar Syed Ali Rethza Albar, the Group Managing Director of DRB-HICOM Berhad as its new Non-Executive Chairman effective May 5, 2016, following the resignation of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on March 31, 2016.

Syed Faisal will also be taking the role as chairman of Group Lotus plc.

He brings with him extensive corporate experience in various industries, said Proton in a statement today.

He started his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers and held the position of the chief executive officer of The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad from 2003 to 2008.

Among other key positions held by Syed Faisal previously include Group Managing Director of Pos Malaysia Berhad, Executive Director of Konsortium Logistik Berhad (KLB), Chief Executive Officer of Malakoff Corporation Berhad and Chief Executive Officer of Gas Malaysia Berhad.

Syed Faisal’s experience and proven track record in growing revenue and profitability will be especially advantageous to Proton which is currently in a turnaround mode of its business.