Axi Select Hosts Exclusive Madrid Gathering for Pro M Traders and Axi Leadership

SYDNEY, Aug 11 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ten of Axi Select’s $1M funded Pro M traders gathered in Madrid this July for an exclusive experience that brought together achievement, mentorship and meaningful dialogue with Axi’s executive leadership.

Having reached the prestigious Pro M tier (the highest level within Axi Select’s capital allocation programme), the traders travelled from across the globe to take part in an invitation-only event designed to recognise their success and strengthen the relationship between Axi and its top-performing trading talent.

Rather than a traditional conference or awards ceremony, the Madrid meet-up focused on genuine connection. At the heart of the programme were intimate fireside discussions, with Axi CEO Rajesh Yohannan and COO Gavin Ward, giving traders the opportunity to discuss their personal journeys, the realities of managing funded capital and the evolving demands of modern trading.

The discussions moved well beyond market strategies. Participants shared how trading with allocated capital differs psychologically from trading personal funds, the discipline required to remain consistently profitable, and the lessons learned while progressing through Axi Select’s funding milestones. The conversations became a genuine exchange of ideas, with Axi’s leadership hearing directly from the traders helping shape the future of funded trading.

Throughout the event, formal sessions were balanced with opportunities for informal conversation, including shared meals, one-to-one discussions, and social activities that allowed traders and executives to connect away from presentations and meeting rooms.

Rajesh Yohannan, Chief Executive Officer at Axi said:

“Spending time with the Pro M traders in Madrid reminded me that behind every funding milestone is a person who has put in years of discipline backed by enormous self-belief. Axi Select exists to back that kind of talent, and events like this keep us close to the people we’re building it for.”

Pro M Madrid Event Traders

• Sook Yen
• Francisco
• Alejandro
• Yoleny G
• Ramon
• Jaime
• Sergio
• Tomas
• Daniel
• Vincente

As Axi Select continues to expand globally, initiatives such as the Madrid meet-up demonstrate the company’s commitment to recognising excellence, creating opportunities for meaningful collaboration and putting traders at the centre of conversation.

About Axi

Axi is a global online trading provider offering access to forex, indices, commodities, and digital assets to clients in more than 100 countries. The company combines trading technology, education, and partnership initiatives to support trader development worldwide.

Media enquiries: mediaenquiries@axi.com

The Axi Select program is only available to clients of AxiTrader LLC. CFDs carry a high risk of investment loss. This content may not be available in your region. For more information, refer to Axi's Terms of Service. Standard trading fees and minimum deposit apply.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/97123a2a-bd9a-4d9c-b69d-8cf3e94eeed7

SOURCE: Axi Financial Services (UK) Limited

DISCLAIMER: BERNAMA MREM are not accountable for any causes of website defacement, misuse, or illegal activities connected to cryptocurrency, blockchain, tokenisation, or bitcoin. This material should not be considered as guidance or an opinion, as it does not constitute financial or investment advice. Use this information at your own risk; we are not liable for any losses or damages caused by the republication of this article.

--BERNAMA

MAVENIR APPOINTS JITIN BHANDARI AS EVP TO LEAD NEOCLOUD EXPANSION

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- Mavenir has appointed Jitin Bhandari as Executive Vice President (EVP), NeoCloud Platform and Forward Deployment Engineering.

Mavenir in a statement said Bhandari will lead the company’s expansion into the growing NeoCloud market and establish a Forward Deployment Engineering practice serving its communications service provider and NeoCloud customer base.

He will report to the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Pardeep Kohli.

The appointment follows Mavenir’s recently announced AI-Integrated Platform and AI Service Assurance framework for communications service providers as the company extends its artificial intelligence (AI) platform, tools and cloud-native expertise to NeoCloud providers.

Kohli said Bhandari brings deep technical expertise, experience in scaling software portfolios and a vision for AI that will help the company expand its AI platform and capabilities into new markets and use cases.

Meanwhile, Bhandari said Mavenir is well positioned to lead the transition towards AI-by-design and agentic operations, adding that he looks forward to expanding the company’s AI platform, tools and Forward Deployment Engineering capabilities for communications service providers, NeoCloud providers and enterprises worldwide.

Bhandari joins Mavenir from Nokia, where he most recently served as Chief Technology Officer for Cloud and Network Services, overseeing technology strategy and innovation in cloud-native and AI-powered networking solutions.

He previously held executive positions at Nokia, including Chief Product Officer for Core Network Applications and Vice President and General Manager of Digital Networks. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles at Oracle, Acme Packet and Alcatel-Lucent.

-- BERNAMA

SPACE42, AUTONOMOUS A2Z SIGN US$7 MLN AGREEMENT FOR UAE LEVEL-4 MOBILITY

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- Space42, a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based artificial intelligence (AI)-powered SpaceTech company, and South Korea’s Autonomous A2Z (A2Z) have signed a US$7 million commercial agreement to deploy Level-4 autonomous mobility solutions in the UAE. (US$1=RM4.09)

In a statement, the company said this is the first commercial agreement under the two companies’ broader partnership and is a direct supply contract separate from the joint venture announced in 2025 to support the long-term commercialisation of intelligent mobility solutions in the UAE.

The agreement combines A2Z’s Level-4 autonomous driving technology with Space42’s AI, geospatial and connectivity capabilities. For A2Z, the agreement marks a step in its international expansion, while Space42 said it advances its efforts to enable safe and reliable driverless vehicle operations at scale.

Space42 chief executive officer (CEO) of Smart Solutions, Hasan Al Hosani said autonomous mobility is critical infrastructure for smart city development and that the UAE has created conditions for its integration into everyday transport.

Meanwhile, A2Z CEO, Han Ji-hyung said the agreement demonstrates that autonomous driving technology developed and validated in South Korea is ready for international deployment.

Pilot robo-shuttle services using A2Z’s ‘ROii’, along with other modified and retrofitted autonomous vehicles, will undergo operational testing and demand assessment. The companies expect the rollout to expand into demand-responsive transport (DRT) and tourism shuttle operations.

The project aligns with the UAE’s broader efforts to advance AI-enabled transportation and intelligent mobility under its National Smart Mobility Strategy.

Space42 said its mobility portfolio includes TXAI, an autonomous taxi service that has travelled more than 600,000 kilometres (km) across 20,000 trips with zero recorded accidents since operations began in 2021.

A2Z has conducted autonomous driving trials across 13 cities and provinces in South Korea and operates 91 permitted autonomous vehicles with over 1.02 million km of cumulative driving experience. Commercial execution of the agreement was led by Autonomous to Global (A2G), A2Z’s Singapore-based joint venture with Kilsa Global.

-- BERNAMA

Tony Lin Appointed as CEO of Generali Life Insurance Malaysia Berhad

Generali Malaysia today announced the appointment of Tony Lin as Chief Executive Officer of Generali Life Insurance Malaysia Berhad.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- Generali Malaysia today announced the appointment of Tony Lin as Chief Executive Officer of Generali Life Insurance Malaysia Berhad.

The appointment follows a period in which Tony served as Officer-in-Charge of the life insurance business, having stepped into the interim role after the departure of former CEO Soo Wai Har. During his tenure as the Officer-in-Charge, he provided steady leadership and continuity for the life insurance business, ensuring the company remained focused on its strategic priorities and commitments to policyholders.

In his new role, Tony will report to Fabrice Benard, CEO of Generali Insurance Malaysia Berhad and Country Head of Generali Entities in Malaysia and will be responsible for driving the life insurance business’s growth agenda, operational excellence, customer-centric innovation.

“Congratulations to Tony on his appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of Generali Life Insurance Malaysia Berhad. Tony has demonstrated strong financial acumen and steady leadership during his time as Officer-in-Charge, and his deep understanding of our business gives us great confidence in this transition. I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to accelerate growth and deliver on our promise to be a Lifetime Partner to our customers,” said Fabrice Benard, CEO of Generali Insurance Malaysia Berhad and Country Head of Generali Entities in Malaysia.

Tony joined Generali Life Insurance Malaysia Berhad in February 2024 as Chief Financial Officer, bringing with him over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry across insurance and takaful. Prior to that, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Hong Leong MSIG Takaful from October 2018 to February 2024. He has also held senior finance and audit roles in various domestic and multinational life insurance companies in Malaysia.

Tony's appointment reflects Generali Malaysia's commitment to strong internal leadership succession and continued focus on delivering sustainable growth for its life insurance business.

SOURCE: Generali Insurance Malaysia Berhad

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Media Relations
Name: Sheena Ho
Email: sheena.ho@generali.com.my

Name: Samantha David
Email: samantha.david@generali.com.my

--BERNAMA

BASF PETRONAS Chemicals Welcomes More Than 1,500 Visitors at Open Day & Global Safety Days 2026

The official launch of Open Day & Global Safety Days 2026 was commemorated with a tree-planting ceremony, symbolising the growth of a strong safety culture and sustainable future.

KUANTAN, Malaysia, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- BASF PETRONAS Chemicals (BPC) successfully hosted its Open Day & Global Safety Days 2026 at the Kuantan Verbund Site, bringing together more than 1,500 visitors comprising employees and their families, government representatives, local authorities, industry partners, community members, and other key stakeholders.

Held under the theme "Jejak Kimia Di Desa Halaman: Think Safe, Act Safe, Win Together", the event underscored BPC's commitment to strengthening its safety culture, fostering transparency, and building meaningful relationships with stakeholders and the local community.

The event was officially inaugurated by YBrs. Tuan Ahmad Fauzi bin Awang, Pengarah Jabatan Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan (JKKP) Pahang, demonstrating the strong partnership between industry and regulators in advancing workplace safety excellence.

Among the key invitees were representatives from Majlis Bandaraya Kuantan (MBK), government agencies, industry partners, community leaders, educational institutions, and neighbouring communities, reflecting the broad stakeholder ecosystem that contributes to the company's long-term success.

Combining BPC's annual Global Safety Days celebration with its Open Day programme, the event provided visitors with a unique opportunity to gain deeper insights into the company's operations, safety standards, sustainability initiatives, and contributions to the economic and social development of the region.

The kampung-inspired "Desa Halaman" concept created a welcoming and inclusive environment that resonated with visitors of all ages. Throughout the day, participants enjoyed a variety of educational, interactive, and family-oriented activities designed to promote safety awareness while strengthening community connections.

Event Highlights

• Guided plant bus tours offering firsthand insights into BPC's operations and safety practices.

• Process and technology exhibitions showcasing BPC's manufacturing capabilities, products, and innovations.

• Hands-on STEM and Kids Lab activities aimed at inspiring young minds through science and engineering.

• ESG and sustainability showcases demonstrating BPC's commitment to responsible business practices.

• Global Safety Days exhibitions promoting safety awareness through showcases by government agencies and industry partners.

• Emergency response and safety demonstrations highlighting preparedness and operational excellence.

• Traditional games, cultural activities, food stalls, and family-friendly attractions that encouraged employee engagement and community bonding.

Speaking at the event, Tan Aik Meam, Managing Director of BASF PETRONAS Chemicals, said: "Events like Open Day and Global Safety Days allow us to engage openly with our stakeholders, reinforce our unwavering commitment to safety through interactive learning and meaningful experiences, and showcase how Chemistry Drives Sustainability through the work we do every day."

The event highlighted how Chemistry Drives Sustainability at BASF PETRONAS Chemicals through innovation, responsible operations, and community engagement. It also reaffirmed the company's commitment to safety, transparency, and meaningful stakeholder partnerships. As BPC looks to the future, it will continue fostering collaboration with employees, regulators, industry partners, and local communities to create lasting value through safe, sustainable, and responsible growth.

About BASF PETRONAS Chemicals Sdn. Bhd.
BASF PETRONAS Chemicals Sdn. Bhd. is a Malaysia-based joint venture between BASF and PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG) a subsidiary of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), Malaysia’s fully integrated oil and gas multinational. Incorporated in 1997, the company operates an integrated Verbund site situated in the Gebeng Industrial Zone, Kuantan, Pahang. The company’s share capital is 60% held by BASF and 40% held by PCG. Key products include acrylic monomers, oxo products, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, highly reactive polyisobutene and aroma ingredients.

For more information, visit our website www.basf-petronas.com.my.

SOURCE: BASF PETRONAS Chemicals Sdn. Bhd. ​

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Sow Kheng Lee
Tel: +60 9585 5035 / +60 12 983 0250
Email: sowkheng.lee@basf-petronas.com.my

--BERNAMA

AM BEST: RECORD REINSURANCE CAPITAL TESTS UNDERWRITING DISCIPLINE

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- Global reinsurers are facing increased pressure on pricing as strong earnings since 2023 have driven capital to record levels, raising questions over whether underwriting discipline can be maintained amid growing competition, according to a new report by AM Best.

The Best’s Market Segment Report, titled “Global Reinsurance at an Inflection Point: Can Discipline Survive the Temptation of Record Capital?”, stated that the global non-life reinsurance segment continues to benefit from strong capitalisation, favourable earnings generation and supportive market conditions.

However, growing competition is putting pressure on reinsurance pricing, particularly in property lines. Unlike previous hard markets, capital has largely accumulated within existing organisations rather than through a wave of new entrants, giving reinsurers multiple opportunities to deploy capital.

According to the report, casualty reinsurance is also emerging as an important strategic concern, with some reinsurers pursuing growth opportunities supported by enhanced rates, while others remain cautious amid uncertainty surrounding social inflation, litigation funding, larger jury awards and adverse legal environments.

“Casualty exposures often develop over many years, meaning that decisions being made today may not be fully understood until well into the next decade,” said AM Best director, Dan Hofmeister in a statement.

AM Best expects the non-life reinsurance market to maintain favourable earnings profiles barring an outsized catastrophe event, but says the ability to preserve underwriting discipline and pricing integrity amid record capital will be critical to sustaining recent profitability.

The report also noted that reinsurance renewal trends intensified during the April and midyear renewals, with United States (US) property catastrophe placements, led by Florida, recording widely estimated reductions of 15 per cent to 20 per cent.

Meanwhile, US and Bermuda reinsurers have improved their combined ratios to the mid-80s to low-90s range under US generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) from an underwriting loss position in 2020.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is also increasingly expected to become a differentiating factor for reinsurers that successfully integrate the technology, although limited and inconsistent data can constrain model effectiveness while increasing exposure to cyber and systemic risks.

-- BERNAMA

Fortude's AI-Driven Delivery Model Shortens ERP Implementation Timelines

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Fortude, a global digital solutions company, has introduced its artificial intelligence (AI)-driven delivery model for Infor CloudSuite implementations.

The model combines industry accelerators, a suite of AI agents and human-led project governance to reduce repetitive effort across the implementation lifecycle and shorten the time required for customers to build a working enterprise resource planning (ERP) foundation.

“ERP is the digital foundation every business builds on, and it needs to be delivered and upgraded faster and more affordably so that companies can focus on data, automation, and AI initiatives that support their growth.

“By bringing agentic AI into the heart of how we deliver Infor solutions, we believe we are disrupting the paradigm on implementation costs. This is a genuine breakthrough for the ecosystem,” said Fortude President and Chief Executive Officer, Arjuna Sirinanda.

Fortude in a statement said its AI agents collect and organise project knowledge, generate implementation artefacts, and automate repeatable steps.

The company said the model also reduces the consulting footprint, enabling a faster and more affordable ERP foundation, while AI is also being applied to transform core business processes and create additional value for customers.

At the core of the offering is a three-layered model. The first layer comprises pre-built assets that encode Fortude's delivery patterns, configuration templates and best-practice guidance by industry vertical.

The second is an AI-driven delivery layer, where multiple agents organise project knowledge, draft implementation artefacts and automate repeatable build steps, while the third layer provides governance assistance by supporting progress tracking, status reporting and risk visibility.

According to Fortude, the delivery model is currently available in the food and beverage, manufacturing, fashion and distribution sectors, with additional industry accelerators under development.

-- BERNAMA