Gulf Air appoints Mohamed Mazen Matar as Group Chief People Officer

Bahrain's Gulf Air Group (GFG) has appointed Mohamed Mazen Matar as its Group Chief People Officer, effective May 18, 2025.

In his new role, Mohamed brings over 18 years of HR leadership experience across the banking, education, and healthcare sectors. He will be responsible for nurturing people and culture, strengthening company leadership, improving productivity, and optimising efficiency across the group and its subsidiaries. He will lead strategic people management and the development of a skilled, innovative workforce aligned with the group’s future growth.

Prior to this appointment, Mohamed served as Group Head of Human Capital at the National Bank of Bahrain for over four years. His previous roles include Managing Partner at MRB Bahrain, HR Advisor at a confidential career consultancy, and General Manager at EMIC Training. In 2020, he also co-founded a mental well-being organisation, U Matter. Early in his career, he worked with The Cobra Group in the UK.

Welcoming Mohamed to the leadership team, Dr. Jeffrey Goh, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Air Group, said, “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Matar to Gulf Air Group as Chief People Officer. Mr. Matar joins the Group with strong credentials in HR transformation and brings with him a wealth of experience essential for the next phases of our transformation journey.”

Mohamed also expressed, “I am honoured to join Gulf Air Group, and I look forward to starting this new chapter and contributing to the Group’s vision by managing its human capital — the most valuable asset in any organisation.”

On the academic front, Mohamed holds a bachelor’s degree in Business and Entrepreneurship and an International Foundation Programme from the University of South Wales. He has also completed the HRBP 2.0 Programme from the Academy to Innovate HR, executive education and strategic marketing at INSEAD, and the CHRO Program at Wharton Executive Education. Additionally, he holds several certifications in leadership development, occupational ability and personality testing, talent management, rewarding A+ talent, hiring, engagement, and executive compensation from Wharton.

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Mohamed succeeds Suhaila Al-Sadeq, who was appointed Chief People Officer in April 2024 and stepped down from the role in December 2024. Neither Suhaila nor the Group has disclosed the reason for her departure.