MEPCO’s CEO Sami Ali Al Safran quits; Rob Jan Renders takes over as acting CEO

Middle East Paper Company (MEPCO) has announced the resignation of Sami Ali Al Safran, who has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the company for over twenty years.

The exchange filing submitted by the company to the Saudi Exchange Board stated, “Middle East Paper Co. (MEPCO) announces the resolution of its Board of Directors by circulation dated 12 June 2024, the acceptance of the resignation of Eng. Sami Ali Al Safran from the position of Chief Executive Officer of the company, which will take effect as of 13 June 2024.”

Sharing the reason for his stepping down from the role, the company informed, “The reason for the resignation was his request for retirement,” and “the Board decided to appoint him as an advisor to the Board of Directors.”

Extending wishes to CEO Sami, the company stated, “The Board of Directors of Middle East Paper Co. extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to Eng. Sami Ali Al Safran for his efforts during his tenure in the company over twenty years, wishing him success on both the career and personal levels.”

In addition to this, the company has also informed in the same filing that Rob Jan Renders, who is currently serving as a member of the company's board, will take over as acting CEO until a permanent CEO is appointed. 

In his new role, Rob brings over three decades of leadership expertise, including consulting experience with prominent private equity firms such as Carlyle, Blackstone, One Equity Partners Europe, and 3i Netherlands. Before joining MEPCO, he worked with Duropack GmbH as the CEO, Otor as the chairman of the board, and Svenska Cellulosa AB as the President. He also serves as an Independent Director of the Board and a member of both the Human Resources and Compensation Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee at Sappi Limited South Africa. On the academic front, he holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Technology Eindhoven.