Mohd Sofian Zubir

Chief Executive Officer

Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research (CEDAR)

Mohd Sofian Zubir is the Chief Executive Officer of Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research (CEDAR), a wholly–owned subsidiary of SME Bank focusing on capacity and capability development of the Malaysian small and medium enterprises.

Graduated with Bachelor in Accounting (Hons), Sofian is a highly passionate person and dedicated to achieving results. He has over 18 years of working experience with a demonstrated history in the world of banking and financial services sector with specialized skills and talents in corporate and digital banking. Highly skilled in building business relationships and contracts throughout the corporate and government sectors.

With personas of a strong leader and admiral of a fleet in driving and leading CEDAR’s transformation and business growth and process improvement, he has essentially combined exposure in both worlds; entrepreneurship and banking. Hence, he understands and embraces every challenge faced by our SMEs in many aspects of the business.

Most importantly, his working and entrepreneurship exposure in various industries and credentials over the years has given him the edge and valuable insights in determining what works, what is practical and applicable in his current role as the CEO of Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research. His fortes and proven track record in successful implementation of banking and entrepreneurial projects are indispensable to the effective delivery of business coaching and training programmes as well as digital service offering in CEDAR to ensure its business sustainability, thus contributing meaningfully to the small and medium enterprises fraternity in Malaysia at large.

Herbert Basin Anak Nyirop

Head, SME Academy

Herbert is the Head of SME Academy at the Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research (CEDAR). Experienced commercial banker with 25 years working in the financial services industry. Skilled in SME development, Risk Management, Credit Management, Banking and Investment. Strong entrepreneurship professional with a Bachelor of Science in Management focused in Finance from Case Western Reserve University, Ohio, USA.

Abdul Aziz Abdul Samad

Head of Operation, Research and Learning

Abdul Aziz Abdul Samad is currently the Head of Operation, Research and Learning and a Certified Professional Coach at the Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research (CEDAR). He is an experienced development banker with Infrastructure & Development Bank of Malaysia and SME Bank since 1995.

His involvement in development banking started in processing financing applications and monitoring clients business performance at the Banks’ branches and Regional Office and then, as trainer, coordinator and secretariat for dedicated funds and entrepreneur development programmes e.g. Groom Big Programme, Graduate Entrepreneur Incubator Programme, Young Entrepreneur Programme, One District One Product Programme, Nursery Factory Scheme, Women Entrepreneur Programme and Entrepreneur Mentoring and Attachment Programme. He holds a BSc in Accounting and Finance from University of Wales, United Kingdom and Master of Business Administration from the National University of Malaysia. He is also a Certified Trainer by Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF) and also holds a Certificate in Islamic Banking & Finance from International Islamic Universiti of Malaysia (IIUM).