Article: Movements: Leaders appointed to drive growth & talent development

Post-Ramadan 2024, the Middle East region witnessed a surge in leadership appointments, including Chief Executive Officers, Managing Directors, and HR leaders. This acceleration towards leadership is driven by organisations aiming to strengthen their presence in the flourishing markets of the MENA region. These leaders also bring expertise in talent development, innovation, and digitalisation across the financial, HRTech, consulting, manufacturing, and construction sectors of the region, thereby significantly contributing to the region’s economic growth.

#1 Hamad Saleh Al Mohanna as Group CHRO at Hyundai Al Rashid Construction

Hyundai Al Rashid Construction Company has announced the appointment of Hamad Saleh Al Mohanna as the Chief Human Resources Officer on April 29, 2024. In his new role, Hamad brings over 25 years of experience encompassing HR policy design & implementation, annual HR planning & budgeting, organisation management, talent management & retention, payroll management, HR laws and regulations, grading & salaries structures, learning & development and employee welfare. Most recently, he was freelancing as an HR consultant and advisory since 2016. Previously, he worked with Hassan Misfer Al-Zahrani & Partners Group, McDermott Arabia., Advanced Petrochemical Co., Saudi Chevron Phillips, Saudi Polyolefins, and Saudi Methanol Co.

Sharing his new role on LinkedIn, Hamad posted, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Hyundai Al Rashid Construction Company, Limited!”

Basamh Group, a leading food and beverage company, has appointed Ahmed Zahran as the Group CHRO, with effect from April 2024. In his new role, Ahmed brings more than two decades of HR leadership experience across BFSI, technology, manufacturing, and food and beverages sectors. Prior to his appointment, he was working with HungerStation as the Chief People Officer. He also served Nestle, Kimberly-Clark, and HSBC. He is also serving as a member on the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of PIF since 2022. Sharing the news of his new role, Ahmed posted on LinkedIn, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Group CHRO at Basamh Group!”

#2 Kieran Scott as Vice President of Human Resources

Expo City Dubai has appointed Kieran Scott as Vice President of Human Resources, with effect from April 2024. In his new role, Scott brings over 25 years of HR leadership experience across oil and gas, engineering, consulting, real estate, construction, and media sectors. He was most recently serving UAE’s real estate developer Nakheel in the capacity of Executive Director of Human Resources. In his previous roles, he worked with RDBi, Acino Pharma, KCA Deutag Oil And Gas Company, Habtoor Leighton Engineering Group, Aggreko, Virgin Media, and AT&T. Sharing the news on LinkedIn, Scott posted, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Vice President Human Resources at Expo City Dubai!”

#3 Sundus Bushahri as the Managing Director - SAP Kuwait

Global software company SAP has announced the appointment of Sundus Bushahri as the Managing Director for the Kuwait region, with effect from April 2024. In her new role, Sundus brings over 15 years of experience encompassing team building, new product development, business development, project management, strategic planning, consulting, and data management. Previously, she worked with Oracle and Schlumberger in key roles. On the academic front, she holds a BSc degree in Software Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Commenting on her appointment, Sundus said, “As a proud Kuwaiti, I am grateful for this opportunity to help support the country’s ambitious digital agenda. Our Kuwaiti public and private sectors have demonstrated a willingness to embrace digital transformation in a way that will ensure we remain at the forefront of new technological developments. In addition to helping companies leverage emerging technologies such as Business AI, my team and I will also continue to support education initiatives to develop Kuwaitis’ diverse technology talents.”

#4 Delphine Guerrier as CEO for EMEA

Global security solutions firm Vitaprotech has appointed Delphine Guerrier as the Chief Executive Officer for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, with effect from April 2024. In her new role, Guerrier brings over 32 years of industry experience as she worked with Chubb Fire & Security Group, Stanley Security, Gunnebo Group, Fitchet Group, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd., Xerox, and Sagemcom. Welcoming Guerrier to the leadership team, Eric Thord said, “We are convinced that Delphine is the ideal leader to accompany Vitaprotech through this crucial phase of transformation in our governance and development. Her ability to align the teams around a common project, her dynamism, and her acute sense of results will enable her to guide the teams to a very high level.”

#5 Mohammed Abdulmalek as Head for PGIM- Middle East

Prudential Financial’s PGIM has appointed Mohammed Abdulmalek as Senior Advisor & Chairman for the Middle East Council, as part of its expansion strategy in the region. In his new role, Mohammed brings over 30 years of experience across asset management and investment banking industry, as he worked with Deutsche Bank Asset Management, Capivest Investment Bank, J.P. Morgan Chase, and UBS Asset Management. Welcoming him to the leadership team, David Hunt, President & CEO commented, “PGIM has been investing on behalf of clients across the Middle East for many years and is now looking to establish a meaningful presence in the region to meet clients’ changing needs. As the Middle East, and the Arabian Gulf in particular, undergoes economic transformation and fast becomes a key component of the global financial ecosystem, Mohammed will play an instrumental role in evolving PGIM’s local offering to support investors in navigating this dynamic environment.”

#6 Reem Alghasim as the Head of Human Resources Signify - Saudi Arabia

Signify has appointed Reem Alghasim as the Head of Human Resources in Saudi Arabia, with effect from March 2024. In her new role, Reem brings more than 10 years of HR expertise encompassing workforce planning, labor and employment law, personnel management, strategic HR, human capital, talent management and retention, recruitment, and employee relations. Most recently, she has served Schneider Electric in Riyadh, and also worked with Airbus, Renault Trucks, OVHcloud, Bedard Resources, and Pride Canada Holding Inc. Announcing her new role on LinkedIn, Reem posted, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as the Head of HR Saudi at Signify!”

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#7 Anuj Agarwal, Uthman Al-Basri, and Antonio Tapia as Partners for KPMG Lower Gulf

KPMG has appointed three key partners in the Lower Gulf region - Anuj Agarwal, Uthman Al-Basri, and Antonio Tapia, to spearhead the firm’s market presence across the Middle East. Welcoming all three partners in their new leadership roles, Emilio Pera, CEO, and Senior Partner at KPMG Lower Gulf, said, “We are delighted to welcome these three new partners to our family. Their diverse expertise and proven track records enhance our capabilities within a rapidly evolving and increasingly complex market and will undoubtedly contribute to our continued success in providing exceptional services to our clients.”

#8 Thamer Shaker as the Managing Director SEA Ventures - KSA

SEA Ventures has appointed Thamer Shaker as the Managing Director in Saudi Arabia, effective April 2024. In his new role, Thamer brings over two decades of leadership experience, having held key roles at IQRAA Media Group, MYSAN Management Consulting, Oasis System, Alraed, NESMA, Elixir Management Consultancy, SISCO Group, and Printer Direct Consulting. Welcoming Thamer as the new MD in Saudi Arabia, SEA Ventures noted, “With over 25 years of experience leading organisations across diverse sectors, Mr. Thamer Shaker has a proven track record of success in Managing Growth and Leadership Style. His passion for high impact and managing high-performance cultures will be instrumental in his role as the Managing Director for the growth of SEA Ventures.”

#9 John Macdonald as CHRO at Algihaz Energy Holding

Algihaz Energy Holding has appointed John Macdonald as the Chief Human Resources Officer. Although the appointment is effective from March 2024, the announcement came a month late. In his new role, John brings over 25 years of leadership experience encompassing HR, leadership coaching, executive development, total rewards, and HR consulting.

Before his appointment, John worked with United Utilities, Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, Weatherford Oil Tool Middle East, ORC Worldwide, Aramco, and Lamprell Energy. Announcing about the new role on LinkedIn, he posted, “I’m happy to share that I have started a new position as Group CHRO at Algihaz Energy Holding in the UAE, which I am pleased to say includes my former employer, Lamprell. It's good to be back on the other side of the fence.”