EIC appoints Ts Syed Saggaf to lead Asia Pacific from Kuala Lumpur after Azman Nasir's 11‑year tenure

The Energy Industries Council has appointed Ts Syed Saggaf Syed Ahmad as its new Regional Director for Asia Pacific, succeeding Azman Nasir after an 11‑year spell leading the organisation’s regional growth, the original announcement reported. The appointment, made effective from the EIC’s Kuala Lumpur office, follows Azman’s long stewardship of the APAC remit — a role he first took on in 2014, industry reporting at the time shows — and comes as Azman prepares to pursue a new opportunity, he told the publication.

Saggaf joins the EIC from Shapadu Group, where he has served as chief executive officer of the company’s Oil & Gas Division and as executive director of a regional subsidiary. Industry directories confirm his position at Shapadu Energy Services and list the company’s Kuala Lumpur base, underlining the local networks he brings to the EIC role. He also serves as president of the Malaysian Oil, Gas & Energy Services Council and has been visible on the conference circuit, including an appearance in Malaysia’s IPTC programme earlier in 2025, signalling a strong profile among local and international stakeholders.

According to the announcement, EIC chief executive Stuart Broadley described Saggaf’s appointment as bringing “deep regional expertise, proven leadership and extensive network” to the council’s membership. The organisation said it expects him to be a “valuable asset” for members seeking to navigate rapidly evolving market conditions across Southeast Asia and neighbouring territories. Those expectations reflect the EIC’s long‑standing mission to help suppliers and service providers access opportunities across APAC from its Kuala Lumpur hub.

Saggaf was quoted in the report as calling the appointment “one of the most important milestones” of his career and expressing enthusiasm for building on the EIC’s existing foundations. He will lead the EIC’s activities across the Asia Pacific region from Kuala Lumpur, a base the council has used historically for outreach and research services in the region. The EIC’s regional staffing and contact structure has previously been published on the organisation’s people pages, illustrating a sustained on‑the‑ground commitment.

Saggaf’s concurrent role as president of the Malaysian Oil, Gas & Energy Services Council provides additional context for his priorities. In a message to members, the council under his leadership set out four strategic focus areas — addressing market liquidity, promoting fair contracting, championing local participation and advocating for an orderly energy transition — which industry observers say will likely shape how he engages EIC members on policy and commercial matters. That blend of commercial and policy engagement may prove particularly pertinent as companies in the region balance traditional hydrocarbon programmes with decarbonisation and local content requirements.

Azman’s departure marks the end of a decade plus in which the EIC expanded its footprint across Asia. Reporting from his appointment in 2014 and the EIC’s subsequent materials show he played a visible part in that build‑out; he told the announcement he takes “immense pride” in the team’s achievements and will remain supportive of the EIC’s mission. For associations, confederations and trade bodies that rely on the EIC for market intelligence, events and member services, the leadership change signals continuity in regional presence but also the prospect of new emphasis on local engagement and the commercial priorities Saggaf has championed.