theceomagazine.com | 131A
rif Mahmood believes that success can, and
should, occur daily. The Downstream Business
of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS)
focuses on adding value to crude and gas
production and its leader Arif believes that
daily achievements must exist alongside the
pursuit of long-term ones. “I plan what I want to achieve for
the day on my way to work,” he says. “I believe achievements
should occur on a daily basis, and you want that sense of
accomplishment knowing that every day has been a great day.”
After attaining a Bachelor of Science in Electrical
Engineering from Boston University in 1984, Arif began
his career as an engineer working for PETRONAS
Gas Berhad. He spent 10 years working in this capacity
before gaining experience in the different businesses of
PETRONAS. He then completed an MBA in 1999 at
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Arif became
PETRONAS Downstream CEO in 2015, having previously
held positions as PETRONAS Senior Vice President for
Corporate Planning and Vice President for Oil.
While striving for excellence in project delivery,
PETRONAS Downstream maintains a commitment to
operational excellence by getting the basics done well. The
culture of accountability permeates the business, underpinned
by shared values – loyalty, integrity, professionalism and »“WE WANT TO
ENCOURAGE AN
OPEN CULTURE OF
ACCOUNTABILITY,
AND TO FACILITATE
INTEGRATION
WITHIN THE
PETRONAS GROUP,
LEADING TO A
MORE EMPOWERED
ORGANISATION.”
theceomagazine.com | 131Interview | INVEST