CATRION, previously known as Saudi Airlines Catering Company, has announced leadership rejigs at the executive level. The company has named its current Chief Executive Officer Wajdy Al-Ghabban as the Managing Director, and appointed Mohammed Al Shuhail as new CEO. 

The leadership changes, which will be effective from February 1, 2025, are part of the company's strategic decisions. As stated by the company in its exchange filing on Monday, “CATRION is pleased to announce its Board ‎of Directors resolution..regarding the approval on the appointment of the current CEO, Mr. Wajdy Mohammed Al-Ghabban, to the position of Managing Director of the Board of Directors for the current session and the appointment of Mr. Mohammed Hassan Al Shuhail as CEO to succeed the current CEO, provided that this appointment is effective from 01/02/2025. This appointment comes within the framework of the Board of Directors’ vision to enhance and support the Company’s strategic directions.”

The company board added, “On this occasion, the Board of Directors, on behalf of the company and its employees, expressed its sincere thanks to Mr. Wajdy Al-Ghabban for his outstanding efforts during his tenure as CEO. His leadership has significantly contributed to achieving notable accomplishments, strengthening the company’s position, and advancing its business development. The Board also expressed its sincere wishes to Mr. Mohammed Al Shuhail as the new CEO of the company.”

Al-Ghabban, who joined the leading catering firm in 1994, was named the CEO in 2015. He has led the company towards significant growth and expansion in key roles including, Deputy CEO, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Catering Unit Officer. 

In his new role, Al Shuhail brings over two decades of leadership experience across food & beverages, and manufacturing sectors of KSA. He most recently served as the Executive Vice President of Almarai in the GCC region, and prior to that held the position of CEO of International Pediatric Nutrition Company. Currently, he also serves as a member on the board of Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets’s executive committee, Burgerizzr, Saudi-Bangladesh Industrial and Agricultural Investment Company Limited, and Chairman on the board of Gazi Fish Culture Ltd. 

In his previous roles, Al Shuhail was named as CEO of Al Safi Dairy Company in 2016, after he served as the Senior Vice President of HR, Legal & Public Relations for nearly four years. Prior to that, he served as the company's Brand Marketing and Innovation Manager for nearly 10 years. At the beginning of his career, he served SABIC as the Marketing Manager. 

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On the academic front, Al Shuhail holds a BSc in Marketing from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, and an executive MBA from London Business School. He also holds key certifications in Finance, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Negotiations from Harvard Business School.