HSBC Appoints Zuraidah as Non-Executive Director

The University of Buckingham

The Independent, Spring 2005
Alumni at work ~

HSBC Appoints Zuraidah as Non-Executive Director

HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd announced the appointment of Datuk
Zuraidah Atan (LLB’ 84) as a nonexecutive director effective 18 October 2004.

The first woman to be appointed to the board of HSBC Malaysia, Zuraidah
was previously president and chief executive of Affin Merchant Bank Bhd for four years until September 2003. She is a member of the Association of Bumiputra Business & Professional Women, Malaysia. She is also active
in community service, and serves as an adviser to the National Cancer Society.

Zuraidah said she would be honoured if we publish her news. She also wrote:
Since I left Affin Merchant Bank as its first woman President/CEO (in fact first woman CEO of a merchant/ investment bank in Malaysia!), end September 2003, I read in Chambers (pupillage) and was called to the Malaysian Bar 5 August 2004. After 20 years of being in the corporate, financial and banking sector, it is certainly exciting to join the legal fraternity.

Over the years, my work has taken me to exotic locations like Papua New Guinea, India, Laos, China, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and many more. I've been to Australia so many times and of course to New Zealand too! Ergo, given my exposure in the corporate world and particularly cross-borders, I decided to start my own boutique legal practice called ‘Chambers of Zuraidah Atan’ and am enjoying the challenges thus far (my website www.zuraidah.com).

Apart from the advisory assignments that I undertake, I am a Legal Aid Centre/Dock Brief Volunteer and an Arbitrator registered with the Regional Centre of Arbitration in Kuala Lumpur (RCAKL).

I am also a Council Member of our National Tourism Council of Malaysia and am involved, particularly in areas of 'Tourism Financing'. I travelled to India with our delegation in March this year to meet our counterpart there.

As Adviser, National Cancer Society of Malaysia, I am very much involved in its fundraising activities and cancer awareness programmes. Last month
(September), we ran the highly successful 'Yellow Balloon Race' launched by our Queen, followed by Cancer Awareness week supported by our Prime Minister's wife.

I am also a member of various women's professional groups and participate/ spearhead activities to assist women to enhance skills and core competencies to gain competitive advantage and increase the 'knowledge
workforce'.

By the way, I have just finished my term as the University Alumni President of Malaysia! Oh, and I am also a golfer (high handicapper!) and my home clubs are Royal Selangor Golf Club (RSGC) and the Kelab Golf Negara Subang (KGNS), both illustrious clubs with strong traditions in Malaysia.

I was a part-time columnist in our local weekly Sunday paper for its magazine till midyear last year. I had my poems printed in our national
papers from time to time. And I frequently deliver talks/seminars on areas such as 'Capital Markets and Corporate Finance'.

So, that sums up what I've been doing. Otherwise, I spend time at home with my two wonderfully spoilt fat cats, Alya and Blackie.