Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad (“Astro” or “the Company”) wishes to announce that Henry Tan Poh Hock will retire as Group Chief Executive Officer on 31 January 2023. As part of its succession plan, the Board has appointed Euan Daryl Smith as Group Chief Executive Officer-Designate with immediate effect. Euan will assume the role of Group Chief Executive Officer on 1 February 2023.
Euan joined Astro as Group Chief Operating Officer and CEO, Pay TV in 2020 and brings with him immense Pay TV experience, having held senior leadership roles in Sky UK & Fox US. He was a key member of the team that engineered Sky Germany’s successful turn round and was instrumental in helping Foxtel Australia move into the streaming era. The Board of Directors of Astro is confident that Euan will continue to transform and lead Astro into the future, supported by a strong management team comprising Malaysian and international talent.
The Board wishes to record their deepest appreciation to Henry Tan for his invaluable contribution to the Group since 2008. “Henry has been an inspirational leader to all at Astro, having steered the team through different phases of the business, achieving several key milestones in the media and entertainment industry. An advocate of local content, Henry is best known for transforming local movies into box office sensations, and for building a vault of valuable content and original intellectual property, which is central to Astro’s core,” said Tunku Ali Redhauddin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz, Chairman of Astro.
Recognising Henry’s invaluable expertise in content, Henry will continue as Advisor to strengthen Astro’s content pipeline to serve the Group’s businesses and platforms.
“I would like to thank Team Astro whose dedication has been fundamental to achieving many firsts - from the introduction of HD, freemium multichannel NJOI TV, raising the stature of Astro own content - Signatures and Originals, launching and growing Astro’s education brand Tutor TV to its 5 million reach, to Astro First, Malaysia’s largest in-home cinema - all of which were instrumental in cementing Astro's position as the entertainment destination for Malaysians. I am also grateful for all the leaders before me who put the foundations in place and inspired me and the team to achieving many successes in our journey to better serve Malaysians.” said Henry.
Euan said, “Today’s announcement underscores what has long been a hallmark of Astro — our unwavering embrace of the future. I wish to thank the Board for the opportunity to lead Astro to the next level, and to Henry for all the support he has offered me as a valued colleague and friend. I look forward to working with him in his new role. Team Astro has made great strides over the last two years, including the aggregation of the best global streaming services all in one place, the introduction of a sparkling new, personalised Astro via our hybrid Ultra 4K UHD and Ulti HD boxes, entry into the internet service provider market with Astro Fibre, the launch of our new OTT product, sooka, and many more. I believe Astro is now uniquely positioned to maximise the opportunities presented by the ever-changing media and entertainment landscape.”
