Bahrain's Gulf Air Group (GFG) has appointed Mohamed Mazen Matar as its Group Chief People Officer, effective May 18, 2025.

Mohamed shared the news on LinkedIn, "Excited to share that I’ve stepped into a new leadership role as Group Chief People Officer at Gulf Air Group (GFG). I’m honoured to lead the people agenda across a dynamic aviation portfolio and support the Group’s ambitious transformation journey. I look forward to contributing to Gulf Air Group’s next phase of growth and impact, contributing to the Group’s vision by managing its human capital — the most valuable asset in any organisation.”

The appointment was confirmed on April 7th, 2025, when Dr. Jeffrey Goh, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Air Group, announced, “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Matar to Gulf Air Group as Chief People Officer. Mr. Matar joins the Group with strong credentials in HR transformation and brings with him a wealth of experience essential for the next phases of our transformation journey.”

Mohamed succeeds Suhaila Al-Sadeq, who was appointed Chief People Officer in April 2024 and stepped down from the role in December 2024. Neither Suhaila nor the Group has disclosed the reason for her departure.

In his new role, Mohamed brings over 18 years of HR leadership experience across the banking, education, and healthcare sectors. He will be responsible for nurturing people and culture, strengthening company leadership, improving productivity, and optimising efficiency across the group and its subsidiaries. He will lead strategic people management and the development of a skilled, innovative workforce aligned with the group’s future growth.

Prior to this appointment, Mohamed served as Group Head of Human Capital at the National Bank of Bahrain for over four years. His previous roles include Managing Partner at MRB Bahrain, HR Advisor at a confidential career consultancy, and General Manager at EMIC Training. In 2020, he also co-founded a mental well-being organisation, U Matter. Early in his career, he worked with The Cobra Group in the UK.

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On the academic front, Mohamed holds a bachelor’s degree in Business and Entrepreneurship and an International Foundation Programme from the University of South Wales. He has also completed the HRBP 2.0 Programme from the Academy to Innovate HR, executive education and strategic marketing at INSEAD, and the CHRO Program at Wharton Executive Education.

Additionally, he holds several certifications in leadership development, occupational ability and personality testing, talent management, rewarding A+ talent, hiring, engagement, and executive compensation from Wharton.