PIF strengthens leadership with key appointments
PIF announced the appointment of Saad Alkroud as head of the local real estate investment division. Alkroud has served as chief of staff since 2021. This move follows the appointment of Aiman Al-Mudaifer as managing director and chief executive of NEOM. Maram Al-Johani has been named acting chief of staff, in addition to being appointed as secretary-general to the PIF board of directors.
In his new role, Alkroud will be responsible for developing PIF's local real estate and infrastructure investment portfolio, which includes the giga-projects and several other strategic developments.
Alkroud joined PIF in 2016 as head of stakeholder management, overseeing PIF board and committees affairs and international relations, as well as managing relationships with Saudi entities to deliver strategic initiatives and objectives. In 2021, he was appointed as chief of staff, and in 2022, he took on additional responsibilities as secretary-general to the PIF board of directors. In that position, he supervised corporate strategy and business plans, PIF's project management office, including the establishment of new companies, and the affairs of PIF's portfolio companies, stakeholders and committees. He also serves on the boards of several PIF companies.
Meanwhile, Al-Mudaifer has led the local real estate investment division since 2018, helping to drive significant growth and transformation. As of 2023, the portfolio included more than 35 real estate companies, with investments in Saudi real estate and infrastructure continuing to deliver sustainable returns. The advancement of and investment in landmark developments and infrastructure projects have helped position PIF at the forefront of Saudi Arabia's economic diversification, including the creation of tourism and cultural destinations. Al-Mudaifer has served as the acting CEO of NEOM since November 2024 and is a board member of several PIF portfolio companies.
In her new role, Al-Johani will lead organization-wide strategic planning, data and committees governance, and the project management office. In addition, she will oversee portfolio company affairs and manage international and local stakeholders. Al-Johani joined PIF in 2017 after working for PricewaterhouseCoopers. She brings extensive experience to both roles, having served as PIF's head of data and committees governance and advisory department since 2021.
These appointments reinforce PIF's strong leadership foundation and support the delivery of its unique mandate and long-term strategy, within the organization and across its portfolio of more than 220 companies, to create opportunities for the global economy and drive the economic transformation of Saudi Arabia.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Saudi Press Agency launches Saudi Photo Platform to expand global access to visual archive
MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia's minister of media and chairman of the Saudi Press Agency, Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari, on Wednesday launched the Saudi Photo Platform, a new digital initiative designed to offer free access to SPA's vast archive of authenticated images. Unveiled during the second edition of the Hajj Media Forum at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Exhibition and Events Center, the platform will allow users worldwide to browse, use, and share images under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. The forum was attended by local and international media representatives. Acting SPA President Ali bin Abdullah Al-Zaid said the platform reflected its strategy to make its visual archive more widely available to content creators around the globe, while preserving intellectual property rights and promoting creativity in a regulated digital environment. He added that launching the platform from Makkah held symbolic significance, reinforcing the city's historic role in conveying Saudi Arabia's message to the world, and said it marked an important step toward enhancing the Kingdom's visual presence in the digital space. The Saudi Photo Platform, which can be reached on features high-resolution images, sorted by category and accompanied by detailed metadata, including event descriptions and publication dates. The archive is continuously updated to document key national and international events, and the site is fully supported in both Arabic and English. The initiative is part of SPA's broader digital transformation agenda, aimed at modernizing publishing tools and fostering new partnerships with media outlets and online users worldwide, it said.
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
3,500 products, 25 countries: Saudi Warehousing Expo concludes
The Saudi Warehousing and Logistics Expo was held last week in Riyadh under the patronage of the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services. The event, which took place at Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center from May 27-29, showcased more than 3,500 products, solutions, systems and services to improve supply chain efficiency across warehousing, transport and logistics. The exhibition opened with a formal inauguration by the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services, graced by Vice Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Dr. Rumaih bin Mohammed Al-Rumaih. A strong lineup of government entities participated under the ministry, including Saudi Arabia Railways, Roads General Authority, General Authority of Civil Aviation, Saudi Post SPL, Transport General Authority and Saudi Ports Authority. The exhibition featured exhibitors from more than 25 countries. Some of the top exhibiting brands included Swisslog, a global leader in intralogistics, warehouse automation and material handling; El-Ajou, a Saudi enterprise delivering integrated digital solutions and workspace services that enhance operational efficiency; SAL Logistics, a leading logistics and supply chain services provider in the Kingdom; and Savoye, a technology solutions provider in logistics and warehousing, among others. An invite-only gathering on May 27, Saudi Warehousing and Logistics Summit was headlined by more than 40 influential voices shaping the future of warehousing and logistics in the Kingdom. The CPD-accredited program explored key themes including AI integration, infrastructure transformation, ESG and future workforce development, all aligned with Vision 2030. Focused on strategy, collaboration and long-term value creation, the summit offered critical insight into the sector's next phase of growth. On May 28-29, Hala Chats presented fast-paced sessions tackling operational challenges through case studies, panels and success stories from Saudi Arabia's logistics and warehousing ecosystem. With contributions from industry leaders at Swisslog Middle East, Smartlog MEA, Dematic, Kaden, Shipsy and more, the program offered visitors an opportunity to gain practical insights and learn how leading organizations are responding to real-world demands. Showcasing Saudi Arabia's $6.7 billion commercial vehicle market, Commercial Vehicles Zone highlighted manufacturers, fleet solutions, electric vehicles and alternative fuel technologies and more. Brands such as Toyota, Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, Bin-Shihon and Petromin — Foton headlined the exhibition. Sponsored by SADR Logistics Services, Demo Hub featured a live, intelligent shuttle system that handles real-time pallet and container movement with seamless integration into warehouse control and management systems, using RFID and barcode scanning. The setup includes high-density pallet shuttles and container shuttles for fast goods-to-person picking, offering a first-hand view of warehouse automation. Powered by Rfufco, Pack n Stack Challenge encouraged visitors to test their speed, precision and stacking skills in a fast-paced logistics simulation.
Arab News
5 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan, UK discuss strengthening cooperation in railways sector
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott on Wednesday discussed bilateral cooperation between the two nations with a special focus on railways, state-run media reported. Pakistan's railway sector faces several challenges such as an aging infrastructure, outdated tracks, locomotives and signal systems. Poor maintenance and a lack of modern safety measures often contribute to train derailments and accidents. Notable tragedies include the 2005 Ghotki train disaster, which killed over 130 people and a 2021 train collision that left at least 65 people dead. As opposed to that, the UK has one of the densest railway networks in Europe with almost all major towns and cities connected by rail. 'Pakistan and the United Kingdom have emphasized joint measures to further strengthen their bilateral trade and economic relations, with special focus on the railways sector,' state-run media reported following Abbasi's meeting with Marriot in Islamabad. State broadcaster Radio Pakistan said Abbasi called for 'a comprehensive strategy' between Pakistan and the United Kingdom to develop and modernize the former's railway sector. 'He said Pakistan is ready to fully benefit from UK's expertise in modernizing the railways infrastructure in the country and improving performance of this sector,' Radio Pakistan said. Abbasi said the two countries would continue to work together on mutual interest railways projects that will benefit their economies and improve public transportation. Pakistan has recently attempted to improve its railway infrastructure to ensure economic growth and development. In March, Pakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) officials agreed to expand bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the railways sector. Abbasi had said Pakistan Railways is continuously working to improve its services through long-term agreements with domestic and international suppliers, emphasizing that Islamabad offers a business-friendly environment and presents significant opportunities for investors.
