Executive Committee

Rob Keijsers took on the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer of ASA International Group plc as of 1 November 2024, having previously served as Chief Digital and Information Officer in July 2023. He initially joined as Chief Information Officer in May 2022. As Chief Digital and Information Officer, other than leading the IT department, he was responsible for the overall digital transformation journey which included the implementation and adoption of the specific digital technologies as well as the way in which people, processes and technology can enable this digital way of working. Rob joined from ABN Amro Bank and over the past 15 years has gained experience in the cross section of business operations and IT in a multinational banking environment, specifically in large scale digital transformations, post-merger and agile integrations, and setting up green field operations.

Azim Hossain assumed the role of Chief of Operations ('CO') in July 2023, having served as the Group's Director of Investment, Treasury and Risk Management since 2005. Mr Hossain has over 34 years of experience in the microfinance industry, having worked for 20 years at ASA NGO Bangladesh, where he held various positions including Director of Finance & MIS and Senior Finance Professional. At ASA Bangladesh, Mr Hossain established the finance and MIS systems, was involved in the development and design of the AMMS, assisted in the establishment of risk management frameworks and was in charge of the NGO Partnership Programme, providing technical and financial assistance to microfinance institutions. He has also worked with the UNDP MicroStart programme in the Philippines and Nigeria, where he was responsible for development, products and services, financial management, performance analysis and business planning.

Tanwir Rahman has served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Group since 2017. He has over 12 years of experience in the microfinance industry. Prior to his experience with the Group, he served as the Director of various microfinance companies within BRAC and has held several leadership positions including the Finance Director of BRAC and BRAC International, the Divisional Controller for HBG Constructors, the Assistant Controller for Mitchell Engineering and the Senior Accounting Manager for Bovis Lend Lease. He started his career in Accounting in the USA as an intern in Morrison Knudsen Corporation and climbed the ladder to a Senior Accountant. Mr Rahman is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Martijn Bollen assumed the role of Chief Compliance, Legal and Risk Officer (‘CCLRO’) in July 2023 and has been the General Counsel of the Group since 2007. Mr Bollen has over 15 years of experience in the microfinance industry. He also serves as the General Counsel of Catalyst Microfinance Investors (‘CMI’) and has worked with Sequoia BV since 2005. Mr Bollen worked as an Attorney-at-Law in the banking and finance department of Loyens & Loeff from 2000 to 2004 and from 2004-2005 held roles as in-house counsel and Attorney-at-Law.

Sazzad Hossain took up the role of Head of Human Resources, Communications and Sustainability (HHRCS) in July 2023. He has worked in the micro, small and medium financial services sector for over a decade. Within ASA International, he has previously served as Managing Director of ASA Kenya, Chief Operations Officer of ASA India and Joint Director of Operations for the Group. Prior to that, he held positions as Senior General Manager for SAJIDA Foundation, Head of Microfinance for BRAC Tanzania Finance Ltd and Board Member for the Tanzania Association of Microfinance Institutions. He holds an MBA in Finance and a Master of Public Affairs in Governance & Public Policy from the University of Dhaka. He is an alumnus of the Boulder Institute of Microfinance.

On March 21, 2024, Md Ezazul Islam joined the Group as the Head of Internal Audit. He has over 15 years of professional experience in FMCG, Pharmaceutical Company, NGOs, External Audit, Microfinance and Financial Service Industries. His career highlights include serving as the Head of Internal Audit and Compliance at IPDC Finance Limited and Head of Internal Audit at BRAC Bangladesh. Moreover, he has worked in various capacities at Sanofi Bangladesh Limited, Kallol Thai President Foods (BD) Limited and KPMG Bangladesh.

Mr. Islam is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Bangladesh (ICAB). He holds an MBA in Accounting and Information System from the University of Dhaka.