Vale Names Edwin Gerard As CEO Of Its Malaysian Unit

KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 (Bernama) -- Brazilian mining company Vale SA has appointed Edwin Gerard as chief executive officer (CEO) of its Malaysian subsidiary, Vale Malaysia Minerals Sdn Bhd. 

In a statement, it said Gerard has over 25 years of international experience in large-scale port operations, logistics and infrastructure management, having held senior leadership roles across Oman, Nigeria, Egypt, Turkiye and Malaysia. 

It said Gerard’s most recent posting was as the chief operating officer of Johor Port Bhd.

“As the first Malaysian appointed to this role, Gerard’s appointment reflects Vale’s continued commitment to developing and empowering the local talent ecosystem in countries where it operates,” it said. 

It said Gerard would oversee one of Vale’s most strategic hubs in Asia, which distributes around 20 million tonnes of iron ore annually, while advancing the company’s focus on safe, reliable and sustainable operations.

Vale’s Malaysia operations are supported by a workforce of over 95 per cent Malaysian, spanning the Teluk Rubiah Maritime Terminal in Perak, which represents the largest single foreign direct investment in the state, and its Asia Pacific corporate office in Kuala Lumpur.

It said Gerard succeeded Leonardo Paiva, who played a key role in strengthening Vale’s commitment to a sustainable presence in Malaysia. 

“During his leadership, Vale embarked on a range of community-centred social investment partnerships with Perak’s institutions, such as urban rejuvenation projects in Manjung, which supported the revitalisation of Beruas and Manjung Lama, as well as the establishment of the Teluk Rubiah Scholarship Programme to develop high-potential local talent.

“Since the commencement of its operations in Teluk Rubiah in 2014, Vale has invested around RM80 million on social investments in areas such as education, women empowerment and environmental conservation,” it added. 

-- BERNAMA