CEO Insights Magazine

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the role of the Chief Human Resources Officer is becoming increasingly central to an organization’s success. With shifting workforce demographics, technological disruption, and rising expectations around inclusivity and purpose, HR leaders are no longer just people managers, they are strategic architects. As companies adapt to digital transformation and generational change, the demand for CHROs who can align human capital with long-term business vision is more urgent than ever. Standing at the forefront of this transformation is Anjas Jati Kesuma, Finance and HR Director at PT Prima Armada Raya (PAR), a subsidiary of Indonesia’s state-owned energy giant, Pertamina. Specializing in long-term business vehicle rental and driver services, PAR plays a crucial role in supporting mobility operations for various institutions and industries across Indonesia.

Born in Palembang to Javanese parents and raised in Bandung, Anjas brings a deeply rooted appreciation for Indonesia’s cultural diversity. This perspective, paired with academic excellence as a cum laude graduate in Petroleum Engineering from Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) in 2011, has shaped his dynamic leadership approach. At just 21, he became the youngest employee at Pertamina, marking the start of a career that would span business development, risk management, and corporate planning. His experience covers a wide spectrum of the energy sector, including upstream oil and gas, midstream infrastructure, downstream refinery projects, and renewable energy ventures.

After serving as Assistant to the Director at Pertamina, overseeing operations within a corporation managing over $70 billion in assets and revenue, Anjas took on a pivotal challenge. At 29, he was appointed Finance and HR Director at PAR, responsible for over $50 million in assets, 200 employees, and 2,000 frontline drivers. Under his leadership, PAR achieved record revenues exceeding IDR 1 trillion in 2023 and maintained that performance into 2024 despite economic headwinds.

His achievements have been recognized with the Top Digital Award in 2022 for driving digital transformation and the Top HR Award in 2024 for strategic HR implementation. Anchored by faith and driven by a long-term vision, Anjas Jati Kesuma is not just shaping a company’s workforce, he is setting a new standard for what it means to lead through people in Indonesia. Let’s read on.

How do you align financial strategy with the overall goals and direction of the business?

With a background in strategic planning, I start by clarifying the company’s long-term vision and the objectives needed to achieve it. Financial strategy then follows as a focused and tactical process. We prioritize efficient and high-impact investments and use a rolling strategy model to adapt plans based on real-time data and performance metrics. I believe data-driven decision-making is essential because strategy without analysis risks becoming biased. By integrating structured planning and strong financial analytics, we align resources effectively and achieve measurable, sustainable results.

Discuss the critical role of aligning HR operations with the broader strategic vision of the organization to drive cohesive and sustainable growth.

Finance and HR serve as twin pillars of organizational success. For HR strategy to be truly effective, it must align seamlessly with overarching business goals, ensuring smooth execution and reduced internal friction. Misalignment may still yield results, but often at the expense of morale, cost efficiency, or lost potential. When synchronized, HR operations enhance resource utilization, strengthen culture, and boost performance. This alignment fosters adaptability, enabling HR to pivot as strategy evolves, delivering the agility and efficiency that stakeholders increasingly demand.

Which industry trends and training methodologies do you implement to develop employees and unlock their full potential? What kinds of growth opportunities are available to them?

At PAR, our workforce mainly consists of Gen Z and late millennials, with an average age of 29 to 30 years. This group demands modern technology driven learning and engagement approaches. A key initiative is building AI literacy, teaching employees to use AI tools from basic document creation to advanced data analysis and idea generation. We view AI as a co-pilot that enhances creativity rather than replaces thinking. This approach boosts productivity and prepares our team to become high capacity professionals ready for the digital future.

Can you describe your leadership style and the core principles that guide your approach?

I see myself as an adaptive leader who stays keenly aware of the environment, tailoring my approach to fit the situation and the people involved. Through both evaluation and hands-on experience, I have learned to shift between a negotiative and a directive style. This versatility helps me engage with diverse personalities and tackle various challenges effectively. I honed these skills by learning from mentors and studying real-world cases, believing that such flexibility is crucial for success in today’s organizations.

What future goals or vision are you striving to achieve?

My long-term goal is to establish myself as a leading expert in both finance and human capital development, fields that significantly impact not only businesses but also society as a whole. I am committed to continuous growth and staying relevant through lifelong learning, with the ultimate aim of giving back by mentoring future leaders. I believe that finance and people strategy are powerful tools that can promote responsible and inclusive progress beyond simply generating profits.  

Anjas Jati Kesuma, Finance & HR Director, Prima Armada Raya (PAR)

A forward-thinking leader in finance and human capital, Anjas Jati Kesuma combines strategic acumen with a deep commitment to innovation and inclusivity. His work at PAR, a leading provider of long-term corporate transportation solutions, reflects a passion for purpose-driven leadership and measurable, people-centered organizational growth. Anchored by faith, data, and a long-term vision, Anjas is not just shaping his company’s workforce, he is setting a new benchmark for what it means to lead through people in Indonesia.