Article: Middle East C-Suite shake-up: Key executive appointments you should know

The speed of transformation we see today has deeply impacted a key role across industries– the Chief Executive Officer.

No matter the size, all organisations have placed the greatest responsibility of leading industry 4.0 transformations on the CEOs. They are under a microscopic lens, forever learning, performing, and leading.

When we discussed the evolving responsibilities of CEOs in 2025, one key insight was how they’re balancing AI-led transformation, market crises, and workplace dynamics with ease (hiding the chaos within behind that calm demeanour).

Those who feel overwhelmed have chosen to step down, shifting into advisory roles rather than action-oriented ones.

Here’s a look at some of the most notable CEO appointments/ movements in the Middle East during the first quarter of 2025.

Expo 2030 Riyadh Company

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF has appointed Talal Al-Marri as CEO, and Thamir Alsadoun as Deputy CEO to lead its newly launched Expo 2030 Riyadh Company. Bringing a wealth of leadership experience to their new roles, both Al-Marri and Alsadoun will be supporting PIF’s strategic goals for achieving economic impact for the Kingdom.

Before this appointment, Al-Marri served Aramco in key roles, and Alsadoun led the National Transformation Program, under KSA Vision 2030.

Howden Group

Global insurance company - Howden Group has appointed Motaz Bukhari as the Chief Executive Officer to lead operations in Saudi Arabia. He brings around 20 years of industry leadership experience to his new role, and previously served key players including, Guy Carpenter, Willis Re, Arch Reinsurance, and Gulf Reinsurance.

Sharqia Development Authority

Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region development entity - SDA has appointed Talal Almaghlouth as CEO, upon approval received from His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province and Chairman of the Eastern Province Development Authority, and to His Deputy Prince Saud bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz.

Talal, who previously served the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services as Head of the Roads Transformation Officer, brings over a wealth of leadership experience to his new role.

ADNOC Drilling

ADNOC Drilling Company has appointed Abdulla Ateya Al Messabi as the successor of Abdulrahman Abdulla Al Seiari, who retired from the CEO role after over 45 years of service.

Al Messabi brings around three decades of Energy industry leadership experience to his new role. Most recently, he served as CEO of ADNOC Sour Gas for over a year.

ADGM

The United Arab Emirates’s global financial centre, ADGM has appointed Rashed Abdulkarim Al Balooshi as CEO of its Regulatory Authority. He succeeds Hamad Al Mazrouei, who stepped down from the role to join Abu Dhabi Economic Development Department as the Undersecretary starting June 2025.

Al Balooshi, who most recently served the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) as CEO, brings over 25 years of financial and regulatory leadership experience to his new role.

Qimam Assarat

Aseer Region Municipality’s investment development arm - Qimam Assarat has appointed Dr. Sattam bin Awad Al-Sawat as CEO. He brings over 20 years of industry leadership experience to his new role.

Al-Sawat has previously served Anan Real Estate, Al Ajlan Group, Saudi German Hospitals, Dallah Health, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Emaar, and Dubai Airports in leading roles.

Salalah Mills Company

Oman’s public-listed Salalah Mills Company has appointed Ali Kashoob as Group CEO, succeeding Ahmed Alawi Abdullah Al Dhahab, who stepped down after over 25 years of service to the company.

Kashoob brings over two decades of leadership experience, as he previously served Aytab, Omantel and Ooredoo Oman in key roles.

Gulf General Cooperative Insurance

GGCI Company announced the resignation of Khalid Allagany, who has served the company since 2022. A new CEO succeeding him is yet to be confirmed.

Allagany holds over three decades of leadership experience, as he previously worked with Al Alamiya Company, Alahli Takaful Company, Saudi Hollandi Bank, and Banque Saudi Fransi.

NEOM

NEOM Board has appointed Engineer Aiman Al-Mudaifer as new CEO and Managing Director of NEOM, following the exit of Nadhmi al-Nasr due to workplace misconduct reports.

Al-Mudaifer brings a wealth of leadership experience, as he previously served Capital Market Authority (CMA), Shumul Holding Company, and Andalus Company.

M42

M42, an Abu Dhabi-based AI-backed healthcare company, has appointed Dimitris Moulavasilis as the new Group CEO. He succeeds Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, who steps down from the role to continue in a board advisory role.

Moulavasilis brings over a wealth of healthcare leadership experience, as he previously served Diaverum- Sweden, Affidea, and GE Healthcare.

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Gorilla Energy

Leading energy drink company – Gorilla Energy has appointed Ahmed Elafifi as its new CEO.

Elafifi brings over three decades of industry leadership experience having served leading players like Coca-Cola, Monster, Burn, and Red Bull in the past.