SABIC appoints Dr. Faisal Alfaqeer as CEO

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation has officially announced that Dr. Faisal Mohammed Alfaqeer has assumed office as Chief Executive Officer, marking a new leadership chapter for one of the world’s leading petrochemical companies.

Dr. Alfaqeer took office at SABIC’s headquarters in Riyadh on April 1, 2026, following his appointment by the company’s Board of Directors in March. He succeeds Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh in the role.

Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Alfaqeer said "It is with a great pride that I take the helm at SABIC, a global industry leader and national champion with long-standing legacy. I am privileged to be chosen by SABIC’s esteemed Board of Directors to lead the company into its next chapter, building on its rich and long history as the company is set to mark its 50th Anniversary.”

Dr. Alfaqeer brings more than three decades of industry experience to the role. Over the course of his career, he has held several senior leadership and board positions across the energy and chemicals sector. He previously served as CEO of Sadara Chemical Company from October 2017 to November 2022 and chaired the boards of ARLANXEO and Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Company. He also held the position of Senior Vice President of the In-Kingdom Liquids-to-Chemicals Development at Saudi Aramco.

In terms of academic background, Dr. Alfaqeer holds both a Master of Science degree and a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, as well as a bachelor’s degree from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

His appointment comes at a significant time for SABIC as the company prepares to mark five decades since its establishment, with expectations that his leadership will support the company’s continued growth and transformation in the global chemicals and industrial sector.