Atos Group has appointed Rayan Zahid as the Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Arabia, with immediate effect.

Rayan brings over two decades of leadership experience across the technology and real estate sectors. Before his appointment, he served at Microsoft for over 15 years in key roles, including most recently as the Chief Sustainability Officer for the CEMA region, and previously as the Chief Operating Officer. 

Before Microsoft, he worked with Saudi Arabia’s largest IT company, ACS, as the General Manager, and Tawd Real Estate as the CEO and Board Member. He is also currently serving as a key member of the board at Sindbad.Tech.

Welcoming Rayan to the leadership board, Marc Veelenturf, CEO Middle East & Türkiye and Chief Growth Officer – International Markets, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rayan Zahid as the new CEO for our Atos KSA office. With his extensive experience in AI, cloud, and cybersecurity, and a strong track record in leading digital transformation, Rayan is set to steer Atos KSA in supporting the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 goals.”

“At Atos, we believe leadership is rooted in purpose, empathy, and collaboration. Rayan brings all of this and more as he steps into this pivotal role. He will focus on driving innovation, supporting our customers in their digital journeys, and strengthening our footprint in the Saudi market. With Rayan’s leadership, we are confident in our journey ahead and look forward to supporting the Kingdom in achieving its digital transformation goals. Welcome to the team, Rayan!” he added.

Rayan also expressed: “I am deeply honored to lead Atos’ talented team in KSA and contribute to the Kingdom’s ambitious digital transformation journey. This opportunity is a testament to the trust placed in me by Atos’ leadership, and I am committed to driving innovation, fostering strategic partnerships, and delivering exceptional value to our clients and stakeholders.”

He added: “Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 presents unparalleled opportunities for technology and digital growth, and I look forward to positioning Atos at the forefront of this evolution. Together with our team, partners, and clients, we will accelerate progress and shape the future of IT in the region. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey so far—your support has been invaluable. I’m eager to connect with peers, collaborators, and industry leaders as we embark on this mission.”

You may also like:

• What are ‘frontier firms’? Microsoft reveals the AI-powered future of work
• Women’s health and well-being at work: Considering taboo topics
• Prioritising Health & Safety at Work: Rethinking Employee Well-Being
• Is fake recruitment on the rise in the Gulf? The Kuwait Airways job fraud case
• MHRSD finds 80% recruitment offices are non-compliant with regulations; 15 penalised for violations

On the academic front, Rayan holds a bachelor’s degree in business science, a diploma in sales leadership from the University of Phoenix, and completed a computer engineering course from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals. He also holds key certifications in executive leadership from the Advisory Board Centre, and in Artificial Intelligence implications for business strategy from MIT Sloan Executive Education.