Xamble locks in permanent CEO and new chair as turnaround gains traction
Xamble Group (ASX: XGL) has appointed Adrian Tan as permanent Chief Executive Officer and Georg Johann Chmiel as Non-Executive Chair, both effective 1 October 2026. The appointments follow a period of meaningful operational progress, with Group revenue up 16% to A$3.64 million in H1 FY2026, underlying business EBITDA turning positive in the June quarter, and the Group’s net loss narrowing by two-thirds. Ganesh Kumar Bangah transitions to a Board Advisor role and remains a substantial shareholder, providing continuity alongside the new leadership structure.
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Adrian Tan steps up from interim to permanent CEO
Adrian Tan’s permanent appointment succeeds his role as Interim Chief Executive Officer, under a service agreement dated 27 April 2026. The Board has characterised the change as a vote of confidence in his leadership and in the Company’s ability to progress its growth strategy from a stronger operating base.
Near-term priorities include converting H1 FY2026 momentum into sustainable revenue growth, maintaining disciplined cost control, deepening client and creator relationships across core Southeast Asian markets, and continuing to develop platform-led capabilities.
The platform-led capabilities Xamble is continuing to develop include a unified creator interface spanning Shopee and Lazada, a commercially launched Influencer Discovery Platform offering AI-powered lookalike recommendations across 15 or more data points, and an enterprise brand deal pipeline that produced an RM1.3 million contract win earlier in 2026.
The remuneration structure spans fixed pay, short-term incentives, and a three-tranche long-term incentive programme designed to align Tan’s interests with shareholder value creation over a multi-year horizon.
| Component | Detail | Value | Vesting / Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | Total Fixed Remuneration | MYR 45,000/month (~AUD 15,700/month) | Ongoing | Payable monthly |
| Short-Term Incentive (STI) | Cash, on KPI achievement | Up to 25% of annual basic salary | Upon achievement of objectives and key results | Equivalent to up to three months’ basic salary |
| LTI Tranche 1 | Unlisted options over 1.5% of share capital | Exercise price AUD $0.012 per option | Vest over 3 years from 1 October 2026 (tenure-based) | Granted on commencement |
| LTI Tranche 2 | Further unlisted options over 1.5% of share capital | Exercise price = September 2028 VWAP + 10% | Granted 1 October 2028; vest over 3 years (tenure-based) | Subject to continued employment and necessary approvals |
| LTI Tranche 3 | Further unlisted options over 1.5% of share capital | Exercise price = September 2030 VWAP + 10% | Granted 1 October 2030; vest over 3 years (tenure-based) | Subject to continued employment and necessary approvals |
| Notice Period | Termination by either party | 3 months’ notice or 3 months’ basic salary in lieu | N/A | Standard provisions apply |
Board leadership continuity — who’s in, who’s staying close
Ganesh Kumar Bangah has stepped down as Non-Executive Chair and as a Director following his appointment as Non-Executive Chair of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the Malaysian Government agency under the Ministry of Digital responsible for driving the nation’s digital economy. The Board has described the MDEC mandate as a significant nation-building role, encompassing closer collaboration between government and industry to advance investment, innovation, and the development of Malaysia’s technology ecosystem.
Ganesh will continue in a Board Advisor capacity and remains a substantial shareholder, ensuring ongoing access to his experience, counsel, and network.
Georg Johann Chmiel has been elected as Non-Executive Chair. His credentials include:
- Kuala Lumpur-based technology entrepreneur and company director
- Co-Founder and Chairman of Juwai-IQI, an ASEAN property technology group
- Former Managing Director of iProperty Group (ASX: IPP)
- Former Executive Chair of iCarAsia (ASX: ICQ)
Following the changes, the Board comprises Georg Johann Chmiel (Non-Executive Chair), Robert William Sultan (Non-Executive Director), and Joanne Khoo Su Nee (Non-Executive Director).
Georg Johann Chmiel, Non-Executive Chair
“Our H1 FY2026 results showed encouraging evidence that the turnaround plan is working, and now is the right time to support that progress with a permanent Chief Executive Officer appointment. Adrian’s appointment reflects the Board’s confidence in his leadership, execution focus and understanding of the business, and I look forward to working closely with him and the rest of the team as we build on this momentum into H2 FY2026 and beyond.”
Ganesh Kumar Bangah, outgoing Non-Executive Chair
“It has been a privilege to lead Xamble through this period of transformation, and seeing that work translate into a return to revenue growth and positive EBITDA in H1 FY2026 is a proud moment. With the turnaround now taking hold, I believe this is the right time to hand the Chair to Georg and to support the Company in a different capacity as Board Advisor. I remain a committed shareholder and look forward to continuing to support the Board and management team as they focus on disciplined execution and long-term value creation for all stakeholders.”
What this means for Xamble’s growth story in Southeast Asia
Xamble operates an influencer-centric digital marketing platform across seven Southeast Asian markets: Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Myanmar. The Group offers clients end-to-end solutions spanning Influencer Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Performance Marketing, and Social Commerce.
The YouthsToday acquisition, completed in April 2026, expanded Xamble’s influencer base by 177% to 19,233 creators and extended its geographic footprint from three to seven Southeast Asian markets, forming much of the operational foundation that H1 FY2026 revenue growth was built upon.
For investors monitoring the Company’s turnaround, governance structure matters. A permanent CEO provides execution accountability and management continuity, while an experienced Non-Executive Chair with a track record in ASX-listed Southeast Asian technology businesses brings additional oversight at a critical growth phase.
The H1 FY2026 metrics provide the evidence base behind the appointments: 16% revenue growth to A$3.64 million, underlying business EBITDA turning positive in the June quarter, and a two-thirds reduction in the net loss. These figures indicate the platform is gaining commercial traction, not simply restructuring.
The Company’s stated near-term priorities are:
- Sustain and convert H1 revenue momentum into H2 growth
- Maintain disciplined cost control
- Deepen client and creator relationships in core Southeast Asian markets
- Continue developing platform-led capabilities
With the leadership structure now in place, Xamble enters H2 FY2026 with both management continuity and board experience aligned to its stated execution agenda.
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