KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 9): Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) is bringing the head of its Canadian subsidiary to Kuala Lumpur to serve as its vice president of international assets.

Petronas Energy Canada Ltd president and chief executive officer Mark Fitzgerald will assume the new position effective April 1, said Petronas in a statement.

The national energy group said Fitzgerald will be tasked with creating value across its upstream international portfolio.

Petronas’ international assets operation is currently led by Mohd Jukris Abdul Wahab, who has held the position since June 2019.

The group’s upstream operation spans across Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe and Australia, according to its 2020 integrated report.

Fitzgerald, who has served as Petronas Canada’s president and CEO since November 2016, will be replaced by the firm’s chief financial officer Izwan Ismail.

“With more than 20 years of international experience, Izwan currently leads the company’s financial activities and is also responsible for our commercial and marketing functions,” the statement said.

Izwan has been with Petronas Canada since November 2020, having worked in a series of progressively senior roles within Petronas over the last 20 years, it added.

“The leadership that Mark has provided during his time as president and CEO has been instrumental in positioning Petronas Canada on a trajectory of steady growth,” Izwan said in the statement.

“I am proud to have been tasked with building on the solid foundation Mark has established and leading the Petronas Canada team forward. I am keen to meet with our partners and stakeholders to discuss a shared vision for the future,” he added.

Petronas said Canada will “continue to play a critical role” in the future of the group globally.

“As a cornerstone for upstream, Petronas Canada is well-positioned to provide global markets with clean and responsibly-developed Canadian energy while supporting local jobs, working with Indigenous communities and protecting the environment.

“We continue to be a leader in natural gas development and a progressive energy and solutions partner for a sustainable future,” the group added.