Article: HR leadership movements: Key appointments at KPMG, Alshaya, Alat, SAFE & more

HR leadership movements significantly impact organisations, influencing company culture, HR and talent strategy, and overall business direction. Their appointments bring fresh perspectives and strategic shifts, while resignations can create transitional challenges. These HR leadership changes shape workplace policies, employee engagement, and the broader industry landscape. Additionally, fresh perspectives help C-suite leaders connect with their employees, understand workforce nuances, and address their needs and requirements. Similarly, exiting HR leaders leave behind a legacy and a significant impact on company culture, making it somewhat challenging for their successors to uphold the same high standards.

Here’s a reflection on the latest HR leadership movements in 2025, spanning from large organisations to startups in the Middle East:

Tal Raziel-Yosef

In January, Tal stepped into the role of Chief People Officer at Shield, an AI-driven finance platform based in Israel. With over 25 years of HR leadership experience spanning the technology and finance sectors, she is set to strengthen the company’s HR team and cultivate a people-first culture. Tal’s focus will be on attracting, developing, and retaining top talent on a global scale.

Dina Hammoud

Dina Z. Hammoud was promoted to the role of Vice President of People for the Middle East and North Africa region at Alshaya Group. Since 2002, Dina has served the company as a dedicated and transformational leader, holding key positions including Director of Core Services in Kuwait, Director of HR Business Partnering, and Recruitment Manager. She is a strong advocate for mental health and well-being, creating an inclusive workplace, fostering a culture of care, and supporting learning and development, as well as new and flexible ways of working.

Manahel Bugis

Manahel joined Petrolube Oil Company, a leading lubricants producer and supplier in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as CHRO in December last year. She holds nearly two decades of HR leadership experience and has served Thales, GE Healthcare & Corporate, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNGHA), and Abdul Latif Jameel Co. in key roles. She is a certified CIPD associate and a transformative leader, committed to ensuring HR is modern, workable, legal, cost-effective, and supportive.

Waleed Almasri

Waleed recently stepped into the role of CHRO at SAFE. With nearly three decades of HR leadership experience, Waleed is set to design and implement key HR and people initiatives for the company’s workforce. Previously, he worked with leading organisations in KSA, including Alalamiya, Pure Beverages Company, Al Raha Group, Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, Emaar, Saudi Airlines Catering Company, and JPMorgan Chase, demonstrating strong commitment to aligning business expansion strategies with people strategies.

Najla AlSaif

Najla stepped down from the role of CHRO at Alat, following a strong HR leadership career spanning more than two decades. She cited 'taking a career break' for sorting out family matters as the reason for her exit. Najla’s HR leadership was valued not only at her organisations but also among the wider HR community on LinkedIn. She is known for her impactful leadership skills, advocacy for DEI, and dedication as a transformative leader.

Nicolas Deflaux

KPMG in the Middle East welcomed Nicolas Deflaux as the Head of Talent Acquisition to reshape their recruitment strategies in the region. He brings over two decades of strong experience in attracting and hiring top talent, building high-performance teams, and driving digital transformation through AI and data analytics in HR. Prior to this appointment, Nicolas worked with du, EDGE, PwC Middle East, ND & Associates, and Dubai Customs.

Abdulgader AlAmoudi

Abdulgader joined Remat Al-Riyadh Development Company as the Chief People & Shared Services Officer in January 2025. He brings over two decades of HR experience across engineering, manufacturing, retail, and logistics industries. He believes in enhancing organisational productivity while cultivating a culture where talent retention is paramount. Prior to this appointment, Abdulgader worked with Savola Group’s Panda Retail Company, Kuehne + Nagel, Samsung Electronics-KSA, Sunbulah Group, Procter & Gamble, and also served on Ittihad Club Company’s Board and its Nomination and Remuneration Committee as a key member.

Ahmed Massoud

Misr Digital Innovation welcomed Ahmed as the Chief People Officer in November last year, with the announcement made in January 2025. He brings a wealth of HR leadership experience in fostering a nurturing company culture, leadership development, employee engagement, training and development, people management, and HR transformation. Previously, he worked with Vodafone Qatar and Orange Business Services.

Elliot Vaughn

BCG elevated Elliot to the role of CHRO & People Chair for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America in January. He brings around 30 years of experience across key economic sectors, having worked with BCG in the UK, Natural Capital Partners, WPP, and AS Biss & Co. He was also awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of his efforts to promote inclusivity and equality in the workplace for underrepresented groups.

Ahmad Al Salem

Ahmad stepped into the role of Cluster Director of People & Culture - Shared Services at Minor Hotels in January this year. He joins the hospitality leaders from IHG Hotels & Resorts, where he served as Director of People & Culture. He brings nearly 18 years of HR experience, having served at Grand Hyatt Amman, The Coca-Cola Company, Emirates College of Technology, and Yarmouk University. He is a strong believer in championing DEI initiatives, cultivating exceptional and talented teams, and fostering a culture of growth, care, and well-being at work.

Khalid Mengash

Khalid joined Nesma Infrastructure & Technology as the CHRO in January, bringing over 17 years of experience to this role. He previously worked with King Abdullah Port, LogiPoint, Kuehne + Nagel, Petro Rabigh, Medgulf, Mobily, and Juffali. He is well-known for building robust talent pipelines, fostering employee engagement, and embedding effective HR management practices in his previous organisations.

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Ahmed Bagatadah

Ahmed stepped into the role of Vice President of Human Capital at M42 in January. He holds over two decades of HR expertise, having previously served at Diaverum in the Middle East, Mars Saudi Arabia, and Procter & Gamble. He also plays a pivotal role at the board level, serving on the N&R Committee at My Clinic KSA and Barns.

HR leadership movements are essential in today's evolving world of work, where new technologies reshape work styles, and both new generations and experienced talent adapt to modern workplaces. Newly appointed HR leaders introduce modern approaches that help organisations stay relevant, aligned, and competitive amid these shifts.