Article: Leadership Moves: Top C-level HR appointments in May 2025

The HR community thrives when leaders grow, evolve, and take on bigger challenges—leaving lasting impacts on people and workplaces.

May 2025 brought a wave of inspiring leadership moves, with well-known HR leaders—seasoned by decades of experience—stepping into pivotal roles across key industries.

May holds a special moment for the HR community—International HR Day—when we connected with key HR leaders in the region to discuss how to humanize technology, talent, and transformation, ensuring progress remains people-focused while supporting the Gulf nations’ goals. And also how the roles of HR leaders are changing beyond processes, evolving into strategic business partners.

Here’s a roundup of the top C-level HR appointments that are shaping the future of work in the Middle East region.

Reem Alghanim

The Ministry of Health Saudi Arabia has appointed Reem bint Saleh Al-Ghanim as Deputy Minister of Human Resources.

Since joining the ministry in 2023, Alghanim has played a key role in advancing HR efficiency—leading initiatives like the employee transfer system aligned with the National Transformation Strategy and launching the Women Leaders Program in partnership with Princess University.

With over two decades in healthcare human capital management and workforce planning, Alghanim is also an alumna of the inaugural Misk Leaders Program 2030. Her new role builds on a strong foundation of impactful leadership and dedication to developing talent in Saudi Arabia’s health sector.

Meraee Al Qahtani

In addition to Reem, The Health Ministry also appointed Meraee Al-Qahtani as Deputy Minister of Nationalisation & Human Capital.

Since joining the ministry in 2021 as Assistant Deputy Minister for Supply Chain and Contracts, Al Qahtani has brought deep expertise in healthcare supply chain and localisation.

With over 25 years of experience, he previously held leadership roles at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare and Johns Hopkins Hospital, as well as key positions at Security Forces Hospital, Saad Specialist Hospital, and Saudi Aramco.

Thamir Almuarik

King Salman Park Foundation welcomed Thamir Almuarik as Chief Human Resources Officer.

Almuarik brings over 18 years of HR leadership experience across both government and private sectors in Saudi Arabia.

Previously, Almuarik served as Chairman of the Sectoral Skills Council – Health Sector at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. His previous leadership roles span the Ministry of Health, Saudi Health Council, Real Estate Development Fund, and several notable organisations including the National Center for Privatisation, Takamol Holding, GE, PwC Middle East, and Rotana Media Group.

Marwa Al Kharusi

Oman’s leading non-banking finance company– National Finance welcomed Marwa Al Kharusi as Chief People Officer.

Al Kharusi brings over 20 years of HR leadership experience across telecom, oil & gas, and consulting.

She most recently served as Senior Vice President of HR at Ominvest and has held key roles at Shell, Omantel, Ooredoo Group, and Alhuwiya International. At Ooredoo, she led impactful nationalisation initiatives focused on developing and retaining local talent.

Mohamed Mazen Matar

Gulf Air Group (GFG) welcomed Mohamed Mazen Matar as Group Chief People Officer, succeeding Suhaila Al-Sadeq, who stepped down in December 2024.

Matar brings over 18 years of HR leadership experience across banking, education, and healthcare. He will focus on building a strong people and culture strategy, enhancing leadership, and developing a future-ready workforce across the group and its subsidiaries

Prior to this role, he served National Bank of Bahrain as Group Head of Human Capital, MRB Bahrain as Managing Partner and HR Advisor, and EMIC Training as General Manager.

Ginny Sethi

Jazeera Airways has promoted Ginny Sethi to the role of Chief People Officer.

With nearly 25 years of HR leadership experience across transportation, banking, and IT, Ginny has been instrumental in driving cultural transformation and aligning people strategies with business goals over her seven-year tenure at the airline.

“In her new role, she will continue to be instrumental in building an inclusive, high-performing workplace,” the company shared.

Sethi joined Jazeera in 2018 as Vice President of Human Capital, following leadership roles at City Group Co. and Agility. A long-time advocate for people-first workplaces, she’s also an active member of the Forbes HR Council.

Abhikalp Bhardwaj

The IT and AI infrastructure arm of UAE’s G42 — Core42 has appointed Abhikalp Bhardwaj as Head of Human Capital Services.

Bhardwaj brings close to 25 years of HR leadership experience across manufacturing, healthcare, and environmental services.

Before this, he served as VP of HR at NMC Healthcare, and previously led Human Capital and the HR PMO at Beeah Group. Prior to that, he spent over two decades at GE, holding several key HR roles across EMEA, including VP of HR, People Operations, and HR Shared Services.

In his new role, he will help shape Core42’s people strategy as it continues to drive innovation at the intersection of AI and infrastructure

Arafat Mousa

Hafeet Rail Company has appointed Arafat Mousa as Head of Human Resources.

Mousa brings 14 years of HR leadership experience across banking, aviation, and rail.

In his new role, he’ll focus on building clear HR policies, leading fair and compliant practices, coaching for performance, and driving impactful nationalisation programs—all while fostering a high-performance, people-first culture.

Mousa joins from Etihad Rail Operating Company, where he led HR operations and system improvements. Earlier, at Mashreq Bank, he shaped global recruitment strategies and spearheaded Emiratization efforts to attract and retain national talent.

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Sarah Tabet

Siemens Energy has named Sarah Tabet as the Head of Human Resources for the Middle East and Africa region.

Tabet brings over 18 years of HR leadership experience in the manufacturing sector and has been with Siemens Energy since 2023, previously serving as Head of HR for the Middle East Hub. Known for driving people-centric cultures, she focuses on empowerment, accountability, and inclusion.

Prior to Siemens, Tabet held senior roles at Schneider Electric—including Global HR Director and D&I Leader—and began her HR journey with British American Tobacco in the MENA region. She is also the author of Inclusion Starts with U, a practical guide that unpacks the real meaning of diversity and inclusion in today’s workplace.

Saad Al-Otaibi

Saudi Arabia’s leading retail brand – AlSaif Gallery welcomed Saad Al-Otaibi as HR Director for Saudi Arabia and the GCC.

Al-Otaibi brings over 13 years of HR experience in the retail sector, and previously worked with Thob Al-Aseel for over six years as HR Director. He also serves on the Nomination and Remuneration Committee at Arabian Oud Company.