Who Is Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn? Wiki, Biography, Age, Wife, Family, Net Worth & Education
Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn is a prominent and influential figure in the Malaysian business and investment sector. He is the President and Group Chief Executive of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), a government-owned investment company that manages over RM343 billion of assets as of November 2022. He is also a Finance Leaders Fellow of the Aspen Institute, a global leadership network that fosters values-based leadership.
Early Life and Education
Ahmad was born in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, in the early 1990s. He is estimated to be between 30 and 34 years old as of 2024. He attended Bukit Bintang Boys School, a prestigious primary school in Kuala Lumpur, and The Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK), a premier residential school in Perak. He excelled in both academics and co-curricular activities, winning several awards and competitions.
He then pursued his tertiary education at Harvard University, one of the world’s top universities, where he graduated with a degree in Economics. He was active in various student organizations and clubs, such as the Harvard Business School Association of Malaysia, the Harvard Islamic Society, and the Harvard Model United Nations.
Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn Wiki/Bio
| Name | Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn |
| Age | 30-34 years old (estimate) |
| Birthplace | Petaling Jaya, Malaysia |
| Education | Bukit Bintang Boys School, The Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Harvard University |
| Current position | President and Group Chief Executive of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) |
| Previous Positions | Deputy Managing Director of Khazanah Nasional Berhad CEO of Danajamin Nasional Berhad Consultant at McKinsey & Company |
| Professional Qualifications and Memberships | Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (FCA) Member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) Member of the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) Member of the Harvard Alumni Association Member of the Harvard Business School Association of Malaysia Member of the Harvard Islamic Society Member of the Harvard Model United Nations Finance Leaders Fellow of the Aspen Institute |
| Personal life and interests | Married with three children, devout Muslim, avid reader, sports and fitness enthusiast, active on social media |
| Net worth | Not publicly disclosed, but estimated to be in the millions of ringgit |
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| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Career
After graduating from Harvard, Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn joined McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, where he worked as a consultant for four years. He advised clients from various industries, such as banking, telecommunications, energy, and public sector, on strategic, operational, and organizational issues.
He then moved to Danajamin Nasional Berhad, Malaysia’s first financial guarantee insurer, where he became the founding CEO in 2009. He led the establishment and development of the company, which provided credit enhancement and bond market access to financially viable corporations. Under his leadership, Danajamin issued over RM10 billion worth of guarantees, supporting more than 40 bond and sukuk issuances.
In 2015, he joined Khazanah Nasional Berhad, Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund, as an Executive Director. He was later promoted to Deputy Managing Director in 2018, overseeing the strategic direction and performance of the fund. He was also responsible for the fund’s investments in various sectors, such as financial services, healthcare, technology, and innovation. He played a key role in the restructuring and transformation of several Khazanah-owned companies, such as Malaysia Airlines, Telekom Malaysia, and CIMB Group.
In July 2020, he was appointed as the President and Group Chief Executive of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), succeeding Abdul Rahman Ahmad, who became the CEO of Media Prima Berhad. PNB is Malaysia’s largest asset manager, with a portfolio that covers strategic investments in Malaysia’s leading corporations, global equities, private equity, real estate, and infrastructure. PNB also manages funds for 12.5 million unitholders, representing about 40% of all Malaysians, distributed through 2,600 touchpoints nationwide.
Achievements
As the head of PNB, Ahmad Onn has embarked on several initiatives to enhance the performance and sustainability of the fund, as well as to create value for its stakeholders. Some of these initiatives include:
- Spearheading the creation of Malaysia’s largest automotive group, comprising UMW Holdings, Perodua, and MBM Resources, to support the country’s electric vehicle push.
- Seeking to add infrastructure assets into PNB’s portfolio, such as toll roads, airports, and ports, as part of its diversification strategy.
- Launching the PNB Future Leaders Programme, a talent development program that aims to groom high-potential young professionals for leadership roles within PNB and its group of companies.
- Introducing the PNB Sustainability Framework, a comprehensive and holistic approach to embed sustainability principles and practices across PNB’s operations and investments.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, PNB managed to record a net income of RM11 billion in 2020, a 2.8% increase from the previous year. It also declared a total income distribution of RM11.1 billion to its unitholders, the second highest in its history.
Spouse & Kids
Ahmad Zulqarnain is married and has three children. He is a devout Muslim who observes his religious obligations and values. He is also an avid reader who enjoys books on various topics, such as history, philosophy, and economics. He has a personal library of over 2,000 books at his home.
Personal Life & Interest
He is also passionate about sports and fitness. He plays football, badminton, and golf regularly. He also participates in marathons and triathlons, having completed several events, such as the Ironman 70.3 Langkawi, the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon, and the Boston Marathon.
Social Media Presence
He is active on social media, especially on LinkedIn and Instagram, where he shares his insights, opinions, and experiences on various matters, such as leadership, investment, and education. He has over 20,000 followers on LinkedIn and over 10,000 followers on Instagram.
Net Worth
Zulqarnain Onn’s net worth is not publicly disclosed, but it is estimated to be in the millions of ringgit, based on his salary, bonuses, and investments. As the CEO of PNB, he earns a monthly salary of RM150,000, excluding other benefits and allowances. He also owns shares in several companies under PNB’s portfolio, such as Sime Darby, S P Setia, UMW Holdings, and Malaysian Re.
Educational Background
Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn is a lifelong learner who believes in continuous education and self-improvement. He holds several professional qualifications and memberships, such as:
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) from the CFA Institute
- Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) from CPA Australia
- Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (FCA)
- Member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA)
- Member of the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA)
- Member of the Harvard Alumni Association
- Member of the Harvard Business School Association of Malaysia
- Member of the Harvard Islamic Society
- Member of the Harvard Model United Nations
He also attends various courses, seminars, and workshops to enhance his knowledge and skills, such as:
- Advanced Management Program (AMP) at Harvard Business School
- Leadership Development Program (LDP) at INSEAD
- Oxford Strategic Leadership Program (OSLP) at Oxford University
- Global Leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century at Harvard Kennedy School
- Aspen Finance Leaders Fellowship at the Aspen Institute
Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn is a remarkable and inspiring leader who has made significant contributions to the Malaysian economy and society. He is the CEO of PNB, one of the largest fund management companies in Malaysia, and a Finance Leaders Fellow of the Aspen Institute, a global leadership network. He has a stellar academic background, having graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Economics. He has a wealth of experience in the investment sector, having worked at McKinsey & Company, Danajamin Nasional Berhad, and Khazanah Nasional Berhad.
He is also a devoted family man, a devout Muslim, an avid reader, and a sports enthusiast. He is active on social media, where he engages with his followers and shares his views on various topics. He is a lifelong learner who holds several professional qualifications and memberships, and attends various courses and programmes to improve himself. He is a role model and a visionary who strives to create value and impact for his stakeholders and the nation.
