Xamble Makes CEO Appointment Permanent as Turnaround Enters Next Phase

Permanent CEO Takes Charge of Xamble’s Next Phase

Xamble Group Limited (ASX:XGL) has made Adrian Tan’s interim appointment permanent, putting a named executive at the centre of its attempt to turn a recent improvement in trading into a more durable growth story. Tan takes the CEO role from 1 October, with the board citing leadership continuity, management focus and accountability as the company expands across Southeast Asia.

The timing follows a stronger first half for the influencer-focused digital marketing company. Group revenue increased 16% to A$3.64 million in the six months to 30 June 2026, underlying business EBITDA turned positive in the June quarter, and the group’s net loss narrowed by two-thirds. Those figures were previously reported in Xamble’s H1 FY2026 results, but the new appointment shifts attention from the initial improvement to whether it can be maintained.

Chair Succession Preserves Malaysian Board Experience

Ganesh Kumar Bangah is leaving the chair and board after being appointed non-executive chair of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, the government agency under Malaysia’s Ministry of Digital. He will remain connected to Xamble as a Board Advisor and substantial shareholder, giving the company continued access to his experience and network without retaining him as a director.

Georg Johann Chmiel succeeds him as non-executive chair. The Kuala Lumpur-based technology entrepreneur is co-founder and chairman of Juwai-IQI, and previously served as managing director of iProperty Group (ASX:IPP) and executive chair of iCarAsia (ASX:ICQ). Xamble’s board now consists of Chmiel, Robert William Sultan and Joanne Khoo Su Nee.

CEO Package Adds Equity Exposure

Tan will receive MYR45,000 a month, equivalent to approximately A$15,700, plus a short-term incentive of up to 25% of annual basic salary if agreed objectives are met. His initial long-term incentive is unlisted options representing 1.5% of Xamble’s share capital, exercisable at A$0.012 and vesting over three years on a tenure basis.

Subject to continued employment and required approvals, Tan may receive further option grants representing 1.5% of the company’s share capital on 1 October 2028 and 1 October 2030. The future grants would be priced at Xamble’s September VWAP plus 10%, meaning their eventual value and dilution cannot be assessed from this announcement alone. The near-term test is more operational: management has identified sustainable revenue growth, cost discipline, stronger client and creator relationships, and platform development as its priorities for the second half of FY2026.