Kathmandu: Ncell Axiata Limited has won awards at the Global Business Outlook (GBO) Awards 2021. Ncell has been recognized as the ‘Most Socially Responsible Telecom Company’ in the telecommunications category, and its CEO Andy Chong has been named the ‘Telecom CEO of the Year’ under the leadership category of the GBO Awards.

The London-based publication’s GBO Awards seeks to recognise and reward excellence in businesses around the world. The awards are designed to facilitate the outstanding work of businesses and business leaders across industries including banking, finance, real estate, telecom and aviation among others. Companies are awarded for demonstrating advanced levels of creativity and innovation and their contribution to value creation at a local, regional, and international level.

According to a statement issued by the company, Ncell has also been officially shortlisted for two separate awards under the category of ‘The Social Contribution Award’ and ‘Crisis Response Award’ at the World Communications Awards (WCA) 2021. The winners will be announced at this year's Total Telecom Congress event on 26-27 October 2021 in London.

In accepting the GBO Awards for ‘Most Socially Responsible Company’, ‘Telecom CEO of the Year, CEO of Ncell Andy Chong expressed his gratitude on receiving the awards. “We are honored by this global recognition on how we have made significant contributions in the community where we operate as a responsible corporate citizen. With focus in major areas including education, health and environment that support Nepal in development and achieving SDGs, we have so far invested over Rs. 1.40 billion in social projects and our commitment to sustainability is ingrained in our DNA,” he said.

CEO Chong also said that their achievements are shaped by the strength of the foundations we have put in place, and I would like to thank our employees for their commitment to excellence. "The recognition of Telecom CEO of the Year reflects his leadership in building an empathetic culture at Ncell. He inspires and motivates employees setting out a clear vision; giving employees a sense of purpose, why they want to come to work, and pursue a mission," said the statement issued by the company.

Chong was appointed CEO/MD of Ncell in November 2019. He is a passionate, visionary, and strategic leader, who holds more than 30 years’ management and operations experience in diverse industries, namely, telecommunications, IT/technology and electronics. Amidst the risk of the COVID-19, he has been according high priority to ensuring the health and wellbeing of our customers, partners, and employees and playing a role in supporting the government.

Chong has been focusing on people development at Ncell too, emphasizing on systematic and extensive programs being aligned with Axiata’s belief on people development, not just for our businesses but also as part of getting the best out of the employees. In terms of best practices, he has supported the implementation of best practices in specific areas we refer to as the ‘Collective Brain’, where teams at both group and local level define collectively what's best for the company.

A seasoned professional, Chong has held CEO and top management positions in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, where he led teams to build and grow businesses and in providing strategic direction in the areas of sales & marketing, technical & operations and finance. He joined Axiata Group in 2008 and held the position of SVP & Head of Group Marketing & Operations until 2014 before joining Axiata in 2016 as Interim Chief Commercial Officer for Ncell. In January 2018, Andy again re-joined Ncell as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) before assuming the role of CEO/MD for Ncell In November 2019.Chong holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Electronic & Computer Systems) and MBA (General Management), both from Monash University, Australia.

Ncell, as a responsible corporate citizen, has made a significant investment of more than Rs. 1.40 billion in various social projects, contributing to the socio-economic development since its inception in the sectors including areas like Health, Education and Environment, Disaster Preparedness and Response and Livelihood Support among others with a primary focus on three main areas—Health, Education and Environment as core areas. The company has been driving its social initiatives from the forefront in line with the CSR provisions underlined in the Industrial Enterprise Regulation 2076.