Alvin Koh

Visionary C-Suite leader and serial entrepreneur with 25+ years of high-impact experience across private & affluent banking, renewable energy, AI & biometrics technology, and global enterprise transformation. Dual DBA candidate (France/Croatia Universities, completion expected 2028) and International MBA graduate (Top of Class), combining deep academic rigour with a proven track record of building and scaling organisations from the ground up.

Appointed Executive

Officer at Shizen Energy Group — ranked #1 Forbes Japan Startup 2025 — where transformation leadership across People, IT, AI, and Branding directly drove the company's first-ever profitability. Proven key member of a USD 800M fundraising task force (CDPQ, Canada's largest pension fund). Founder of two technology companies with successful M&A exits; built one to USD 100M valuation within 7 years.

Recognised across technology, financial services, energy, and start up ecosystems as a transformational architect of high-performing cultures, AI-enabled organisations, and board-level strategic value. Brings a rare convergence of entrepreneurial ownership, executive discipline, and people-first philosophy — the hallmark of an executive who builds organisations that endure.

Executive Officer & Group Director — People, Workplace, IT & Branding Communications - Shizen Energy Group - Tokyo / Fukuoka, Japan

(2023-02)

• Promoted to Group HQ to lead enterprise-wide transformation across 600+ employees, 5 group companies, and multiple global markets — encompassing People Strategy, Culture, IT Infrastructure, and Brand Communications.
• Architected the Group's first high-performing organisation framework: career progression, purpose-driven culture alignment, and leadership development — directly driving the company's first-ever profitability in FY2024.
• Spearheaded organisational restructure, organization development and skills capability-building and brand strategy initiatives that positioned Shizen Energy as the #1 Forbes Japan Startup 2025 and #2 in 2024 — a national benchmark for growth-stage excellence.
• Served as key task force member supporting a USD 800M capital raise from CDPQ (Canada's largest pension fund) — providing strategic narrative, organisation credibility, and investor-facing materials.
• Acted as CISO overseeing group IT infrastructure: ERP/HRMS/PJM integration, agentic AI systems deployment, and a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy built on ISMS frameworks.
• Designed and executed group-wide internal communications infrastructure — leadership huddles, town halls, engagement architecture — aligning strategy across all entities during rapid expansion phases.
• Led corporate function transformation as appointed transformation head — delivered 35%+ group-wide cost savings in Year 1 through technology implementation, process re-engineering, and AI automation while achieving consistent profitability.
• Executive coach and advisor to senior management and board members; embedded balanced leadership frameworks, succession planning protocols, and values alignment across the C-suite.

Chief Executive Officer - Shizen Malaysia Sdn Bhd - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

(2021-09 - 2023-02)

• Led company to secure 100+ MW of solar energy through power purchase agreements within 12 months, including a landmark 21-year energy agreement with a global tier-1 manufacturer and Southeast Asia's largest 150MW floating solar MOU.
• Established Shizen Malaysia as the ASEAN strategic support hub; expanded business operations to 7 countries within tenure.
• Won Best Solar Developer 2022 (Energy Box) — recognised for sector-leading commercial execution, team performance, and ESG impact.
• Built and led cross-functional teams across business development, engineering, finance, and project management — scaling from startup to regional leader.
• Performance excellence resulted in promotion to Group Executive Officer role at Group Headquarters in Japan.

Founder, Group CEO & Board Member - Blinkware Technology - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

(2013-08 - 2021-07)

• Founded AI biometrics company from zero — scaled to USD 100M valuation within 7 years; achieved profitability in Year 2; successfully exited via M&A acquisition by a US-based bioinformatics organisation (2021).
• Closed 2 funding rounds (Seed through Series A), raising a total of USD 10M in strategic equity capital from institutional and strategic investors.
• Built a purpose-driven, high-performance culture managing 30+ international employees across engineering, product, sales, and operations.
• Placed Malaysia on the global AI map with multiple international recognitions: Red Herring Top 100 APAC, APICTA Startup CEO Winner, AI CEO of the Year (APAC Business Awards 2018).
• Recognised as Top 10 Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs 2019 by Business Insider.

Founder, Group CEO & Board Member - Zuger International / Trendi - Malaysia & Southeast Asia

(2015-10 - 2017-07)

• Pioneered the world's first fully integrated travel concierge technology platform; deployed 1,000+ devices across 17 hotels in 4 countries within 7 months.
• Successfully exited through acquisition by a Philippines-based family office following 2 years of product development and market penetration with secured hotel clients.
• Disrupted traditional hotel-guest engagement via proprietary mobile PABX technology integrated into hotel telephony infrastructure.

Senior Vice President — Head of Sales & Distribution, Segmentation, Sales Productivity & Strategic Alliances - United Overseas Bank (UOB) - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

(2010-02 - 2013-07)

• Pioneered the first-in-industry consumer segmentation strategy across 4 client tiers (Super Affluent, Affluent, Mass, Core), transforming service standards and client experience across the full consumer bank.
• Designed and launched Malaysia's first Flagship Privilege Banking Centres — converting 35 branches into world-class HNW service platforms.
• Developed proprietary onboarding and training programmes for Private and Affluent Banking relationship managers, establishing a lasting service culture.
• Built 40+ C-suite and board-level strategic partnerships across retail, automotive, FMCG, telecoms, and property sectors to increase brand presence and market value.
• Selected among top 10 employees for the Senior Management Regional Fast Track Programme, recognising exceptional high-potential leadership.

Vice President — Product Acquisition Head / Strategic Alliances & Alternative Channels - Citibank Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

(2007-07 - 2010-12)

• Headed the credit cards division; restructured product portfolio through analytical segmentation and compelling value propositions to drive acquisition, retention, and profitability.
• Launched Malaysia's first Premier Miles Credit Card — targeting the premium affluent segment and establishing a new benchmark for aspirational financial products.
• Created the first-in-market Citi-Business Value Chain SME Financing model, securing RM 388M in spend through 500 Citi-Business cards.
• Established the Citi at Work division and strategic alliances function — building low-cost, scalable acquisition channels through corporate partnerships.

Regional Sales & Marketing Manager, APAC - DTEX International / DTEX Systems

(2004 - 2007)

Project Manager, IT Group Support - St George Bank Ltd, Australia - Australia

(2001 - 2003)

Senior Consumer Credit & Loans Team Leader - Bank of South Australia, Australia - Australia

(1998 - 2001)

Dual DBA - Doctor of Business Administration - IBES France & Vern University (2026 - 2028)

International Executive MBA - MBA - Paris Graduate School of Management (PGSM) (2018 - 2018)

Bachelor - Management Information Systems (Marketing & International Business) - University of South Australia (1998 - 1998)