Pieter Pottas

A results-driven and visionary executive with deep expertise in strategic operations, transnational ventures, and organizational growth. I bring a strong track record of scaling businesses, optimizing operational performance, and driving sustainable growth through strategic planning, cross-border partnerships, and stakeholder engagement. Currently serving as Chief Operating Officer and Interim Director & CEO at UoSM, I have led transformative growth initiatives—including increased market penetration, enhanced stakeholder relations, operational excellence, and regulatory alignment with both international and local authorities.

With a methodical leadership approach and a broad background in managing complex organizations, I am adept at executing high-impact business strategies, streamlining operational frameworks, and strengthening financial and performance outcomes. Recognized for my agility in responding to market shifts, I combine deep market intelligence with solid command of corporate finance and performance metrics to deliver long-term business value.

Chief Operating Officer, 03/2024 - Current 

University of Southampton Malaysia 

• Dynamic and results-driven higher education leader with a PhD in Business Administration and Strategic Management.
• Demonstrates extensive expertise in strategic planning, operational management, and international collaboration.
• Committed to enhancing excellence, driving institutional growth, and fostering a vibrant educational environment.
• Provide strategic leadership and operational management as the Chief Operating Officer.
• Develop and implement strategic plans and initiatives to achieve organizational goals, resulting in a 20% increase in growth. 
• Foster international collaboration and partnerships, expanding the institution global reach and reputation.
• Lead cross-functional teams in the development and execution of key projects, ensuring timely and successful completion.
• Oversee budgeting and financial management, optimizing resource allocation and achieving cost savings of 10%.
• Maintain effective communication with stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, and external partners, ensuring clarity and alignment of goals.
• Uphold a vibrant educational environment by promoting diversity, inclusivity, and innovation.
• Continuously enhance professional knowledge and expertise through ongoing learning and development opportunities.
• Develop new Recruitment strategies.
• Engage with external institutions to develop student pipeline feeders.
• Collaborated with governmental and industrial partners to establish research opportunities in agriculture and sustainable technologies.
• Ensuring compliance with Malaysian regulations and fostering strategic collaborations with state and national regulatory bodies.
• Established strong ties with the Malaysian government agencies and local stakeholders to maintain academic quality and compliance.

Interim Director and Chief Executive Officer, 10/2024 – 05/2025

University of Southampton Malaysia 

• Provided strategic leadership and full-spectrum operational oversight during a critical phase of organizational transformation and expansion.
• Drove aggressive growth strategies that resulted in a fourfold increase in client/user base, scaling operations from 500 to over 2,000 within a short period.
• Led financial diversification initiatives to broaden revenue streams, optimize cost structures, and improve long-term sustainability.
• Strengthened cross-border operational alignment, ensuring streamlined collaboration and performance across international teams.
• Oversaw implementation of enterprise-wide policies, driving consistency, risk mitigation, and compliance with global standards.
• Cultivated high-value relationships with industry partners and government stakeholders to support operational scalability and brand elevation.
• Positioned the organization as a competitive and agile global player by enhancing strategic visibility and operational readiness.

Associate Professor and Director Research and Development, 01/2021 - 01/2024 

Curtin Biovalley Sdn Bhd 

• Dynamic and results-oriented research professional and operational leader with over twenty years of proven success in achieving revenue, profit, and business growth objectives within start-up, turnaround, and rapid-change environments.
• Industrial researchers and product developer, I have a demonstrated record of exceeding profitability goals, turning around under-performing units, and driving increased revenues and market share.
• A high-energy leader experienced in managing multi-unit, multicultural, and complex organizations, I excel in brand positioning, revenue growth, financial management, and operational excellence.
• I provide strategic oversight of operational and financial functions for the institute, including establishing annual and quarterly planning processes, profit, and operations reporting.
• Develop and deliver a compelling, cohesive, and ambitious vision for the Institute aligned with the University's and State's strategic objectives.
• Lead, develop, and motivate a high-performing Institute, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and transparency.
• Oversee career development and performance management within the Institute.

Chief Operating Officer (Acting DPVC), 01/2018 - 01/2024 

Curtin University, Malaysia 

• Dynamic and results-oriented operations executive and higher education leader with over twenty years of proven operational success in achieving revenue, profit, and business growth objectives within start-up, turnaround, and rapid-change environments.
• Business management architect, I have a demonstrated record of exceeding profitability goals, turning around underperforming units, and driving increased revenues and market share.
• As a high-energy leader, I am experienced in managing multi-unit, multicultural, and complex organizations.
• I excel in brand positioning, revenue growth, financial management, and driving operational excellence, with a strong focus on customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• My well-developed employee relations, motivation, management development, and training qualifications are evidenced by higher-than-average retention rates.
• Successfully developed staffing, recruiting, space, and workflow models during a troubled economy.
• Implemented strategic management during business contraction, recognized for executing strategic marketing plans to support and increase clients and revenue.
• Spearheaded a RM 64 million expansion project to offset the infrastructure deficit, repositioning the university in a competitive market.

Director/Founder, 01/2008 – 3/2024

UD. IAGO, Indonesia 

• Company Overview: A leading consultancy specializing in Renewable Energy, Agriculture, Mining, Manufacturing, and Operations.
• IAGO focuses on strategic and operational excellence, apprentice training, business consultancy, rural development, and sustainable smart farming.
• I have spearheaded consultancy and business development initiatives across diverse sectors, including Renewable Energy, Agriculture, Engineering, Mining, Manufacturing Operations, and Marketing.
• A leading consultancy specializing in Renewable Energy, Agriculture, Mining, Manufacturing, and Operations.
• Established and managed 71,000 hectares of verified 5-year-old Jatropha plantations, serving as carbon credits for BP petroleum.
• Successfully negotiated land agreements for the construction of 5 satellite extraction plants for Jatropha, enhancing operational capacity and market presence.

Operations Director & Group General Manager, 01/2014 - 01/2018 

Australia Resources Sdn Bhd 

• Company Overview: Managed a multinational company with diverse operations spanning mining, logistics, and manufacturing sectors in Malaysia.
• I oversaw the commercial development of mining and agricultural properties, contributing significantly to strategic decision-making as a member of the board of directors and representing shareholder interests at various functions.
• Responsibilities included managing operations through direct reports, providing fiscal, strategic, and operational leadership.
• My focus was on reducing indebtedness and enhancing operational efficiency through proactive measures such as pursuing new business opportunities, restructuring internal procedures, reallocating resources, and implementing best practices and performance monitoring systems to drive continuous improvement.
• Managed a multinational company with diverse operations spanning mining, logistics, and manufacturing sectors in Malaysia.
• Successfully reversed a RM 1.2 million loss, achieving RM 150K in gains within the first year of leadership.

Director Operations/Group General Manager, 01/2011 - 01/2014 

Ho Wah Genting Bhd. 

• Dual appointment as Director of Operations for Mining and Minerals Beneficiation, alongside serving as Group General Manager.
• This encompassed managing multinational operations totaling EU 130 million, including an 800-hectare Tin mining concession and a 65-acre Magnesium smelter located in Perak.
• In addition to my operational responsibilities, I served on the board as a non-executive director, representing shareholder interests during key business negotiations.
• Led a team of 12 direct reports and held accountability for providing fiscal, strategic, and operational leadership to optimize performance across both mining and magnesium processing operations.
• Successfully negotiated an alluvium mining concession lease extension with the local government, increasing Tin production by 4 metric tons per day, equivalent to USD 2.8 million in annual revenue.
• Negotiated and established a LED lighting joint venture, securing a government supply contract to transform government buildings into low-energy consumption facilities.

Country Manager and Director of Operations, 01/2003 - 01/2008 

Imerys (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd 

• Oversee a diverse portfolio encompassing multi-site operations across Malaysia and Thailand, with additional oversight of strategic responsibilities for India, Vietnam, and Indonesia from Kuala Lumpur.
• Full management and P&L responsibility for mining and quarry operations, including powder and slurry production, logistics, sales, maintenance, engineering projects, production packaging, and warehouse inventories.
• Manage comprehensive P&L responsibilities for Malaysia and Thailand, ensuring operational efficiency and profitability.
• Successfully turned around underperforming business units in Malaysia and Thailand, boosting productivity by 34% through plant optimization and efficiency enhancements.

Operations and General Manager, 01/2001 - 01/2003 

Cargill (Pt Hindoli) 

• Responsible for all aspects of business development, with focus on expanding Indonesia markets.
• Manage all operations, inclusive of manufacturing facility, shipping, planning, strategy implementation and execution of manufacturing strategies with focus on high value, major customers and exports.
• Manage and develop the Cargill Palm Oil Mill Installations each of 120-ton/hr and plantation infrastructure in Sumatra, Indonesia.
• Develop and upgrade existing installation complete with expansion. Project value US$ 26 million.

Chief Engineer/Group Mill Manager, 01/1998 - 01/2001 

Commonwealth Development Corporation, Pac Rim Plantations 

• Manage and develop the operations and infrastructure of 80000 hectare and 12000 Hectare small holders for Pacific Rim Plantations Palm Oil project, located on multiple sites, a Commonwealth Development Corporation initiative, with three supporting 60 mt/hr palm oil mill and 20 000 ha Cocoa operation in Papua New Guinea.
• Project value US$ 16 million.

Superintendent, 01/1994 - 01/1998 

PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper 

• Oversee the Construction from start to Commissioning and Maintaining a Pulp and Paper project in Sumatra Indonesia for the RAPP ( APRIL).

Maintenance Superintendent, 01/1990 - 01/1994 

Mondi Craft, Pulp & Paper 

• Manage the Maintenance and engineering departments inclusive of project management for Pulp and Paper projects in South Africa and Swaziland.

Project /Maintenance Foreman, 01/1985 - 01/1990 

Sasol Petrochemical 

• Project planning execution, erection, commissioning and upgrading with total Maintenance and training responsibilities on project completion of the Petrochemical refinery in South Africa.
• Maintain ISO 9000.1400, OSHA and ASME standards for pressure vessels.
• Manage daily mechanical maintenance complete with all maintenance planning.

University Of People , USA, Expected in 12/2025 

M.Ed : Higher Education Administration 

 Selinus University of Sciences And Literature, Italy, 01/2023 

PhD : Business Administration and Strategic Management 

 Washington University, USA, 01/1998 

BSc : Business Administration 

 Trinity University and College, USA

BSc : Mechanical Engineering 

ICS, UK 

Diploma : Electrical Engineering, Steam Plant Operation