Saeed Alghafri, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Steel—a part of the EMSTEEL Group, has stepped down from the role, effective immediately.

Alghafri has been serving the Group for over 19 years and was appointed CEO of the Emirates Steel business in July 2023. Prior to that, he held several key positions, including Chief Commercial Officer, Chief Supply Chain & Planning Officer, Vice President of Procurement & Logistics, among other leadership roles.

Announcing the news on LinkedIn, Alghafri posted, “After an incredible chapter, I’ve officially concluded my time with EMSTEEL. I’m deeply grateful for the people, the lessons, and the challenges that shaped me during this journey. Leading through transformation and working with exceptional teams—these are experiences I’ll carry with me always. As I step into what’s next, I do so with clarity, purpose, and an even deeper commitment to the work I believe in.”

He has not mentioned his next career move, with only “personal goal pursuit” reflected on his profile.

Alghafri’s decision was confirmed by EMSTEEL in May 2025, when the company announced his resignation and shared that a successor would be named soon.

At present, EMSTEEL’s Chief Operating Officer, Medhat Hashem, and Chief Commercial Officer, Michael Rion, are overseeing the operational and commercial responsibilities following Alghafri’s exit.

Extending his wishes to Alghafri, the company’s Group CEO, Engineer Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, said:

“On behalf of the Board and the entire EMSTEEL team, we thank Saeed for his dedication and contribution to the company over nearly two decades. His leadership has been instrumental in expanding our steel operations and strengthening our position as a global industry leader. We wish Saeed every success in his future endeavors.”

Alghafri is a well-known thought leader, admired not only for delivering exceptional business results but also for championing people-centric goals, with a leadership style that blends visionary thinking, mentorship, and adaptability. Currently, he also serves as the Chairman of Steel Producers Committee. 

You may also like:

• Saudi Arabia to introduce AI lessons in schools starting 2025
• UAE set to become leading global hub for remote workers
• Oman’s sustainable talent strategies, role of AI & more: HR leadership insights
• KSA HR ministry classifies expat work permits by skill levels, details here
• Amazon makes Leadership Principles a key metric of its revamped performance appraisal model

He also holds impressive academic credentials, including an MBA from the University of Strathclyde, a BSc in Chemical Engineering from The University of Tulsa, a Senior Executive Program from London Business School, and a Human Potential Coaching certificate from HPA.