AIB Appoints Anne Sheehan as Independent Non-Executive Director

AIB Group plc has appointed Anne Sheehan as an independent non-executive Director, effective September 1, 2025. Sheehan has extensive experience in technology, having previously held roles at Microsoft and Vodafone. She is focused on driving digital transformation and good customer outcomes. Sheehan will join the AIB Board with effect from September 1, 2025.

Bangkok, Sept. 1, 2025 — CP AXTRA, the operator of Asia's leading wholesale and retail businesses, Makro and Lotus's, is accelerating its digital transformation journey. This initiative, aimed at shaping the future of smart retail, is being supported by a strategic partnership with Tencent Cloud, the cloud business of global technology giant Tencent [1].

The partnership, formalized earlier this year through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), combines CP AXTRA's retail expertise with Tencent Cloud's advanced technology solutions. Key components of this collaboration include Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), AI-powered big data and database solutions, and advanced container management solutions such as Tencent Kubernetes Engine (TKE) [1].

The deployment of Tencent Cloud's services is optimizing operations across CP AXTRA's 2,600 stores in Thailand, enabling scalable digital innovation and significant cost efficiencies. The Tencent Kubernetes Engine (TKE) is particularly instrumental in achieving elastic scaling, allowing IT infrastructure to adapt dynamically to fluctuating business demands [1].

AI-driven innovations are also revolutionizing inventory management and sales forecasting, creating a more intelligent and responsive retail ecosystem. Furthermore, CP AXTRA has launched its Weixin/WeChat Mini Program, offering a seamless shopping experience for Chinese-speaking consumers across Asia. This initiative underscores CP AXTRA's ambition to provide a cross-border lifestyle shopping experience, blending reliable Thai sourcing with the speed and convenience expected by modern consumers [1].

Chen Rui, Vice President of International Business and Managing Director for Southeast Asia at Tencent Cloud, said, "We are honored to partner with CP AXTRA on their transformative journey toward smart retail. By combining Tencent Cloud's advanced AI and cloud infrastructure with CP AXTRA's deep industry expertise, we are helping to solve complex challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth" [1].

Tarin Thaniyavarn, Group Chief Technology & Data Officers and Group Chief E-Commerce Officer at CP AXTRA, added, "At CP AXTRA, we are committed to redefining the future of retail in Southeast Asia through bold innovation and strategic partnerships. Our digital transformation roadmap is not just about adopting new technologies—it's about empowering our people and creating smarter, more agile operations that benefit both our customers and our teams" [1].

This partnership is more than a technological upgrade; it represents a transformative redefinition of customer experiences and retail innovation. By addressing key challenges in scalability, AI integration, and infrastructure optimization, CP AXTRA is strengthening its position as a retail tech leader in Asia. With Tencent Cloud's proven global footprint, serving over 10,000 clients across over 80 countries, this alliance further cements Tencent Cloud's position as the trusted cloud partner for enterprises driving digital innovations worldwide [1].

References:
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cp-axtra-unveils-digital-transformation-070200150.html