Career Biography
Abdulrahman Aflah is a Saudi-qualified investment and corporate attorney with a UK legal education and extensive experience advising international clients on a broad spectrum of legal matters in Saudi Arabia. He advises U.S. and European companies on Saudi law transactions, foreign investments, and corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, and regulatory compliance. He has also counselled publicly listed companies on capital markets, labour law, and governance issues.
His sector experience spans regulated industries and technology and infrastructure, having advised clients in healthcare, public procurement, defence, aviation, oil and gas, food and beverage, telecoms, ICT, and heavy machinery, amongst others.
Transitioning from private practice to in-house roles, Aflah now provides strategic legal counsel while closely collaborating with internal stakeholders. He serves as Executive Director of Legal Affairs, overseeing transactions for one of the PIF’s most pivotal entities in the hospitality and tourism sector. His remit includes structuring partnerships, strategic private equity investments, real estate development, and the creation of investment funds.
Before pursuing legal training in the UK, Aflah studied law in Saudi Arabia, specialising in Shari’ah law, with a comparative focus on civil law jurisdictions in the region. His unique blend of expertise across Shari’ah, common law, and civil law systems positions him to navigate complex legal challenges with a nuanced, international perspective.
Career Highlights:
Provided strategic advisory to Total, the French energy giant, on its co-acquisition with Aramco of a major gas station network, enhancing highway service experiences across KSA and strengthening brand presence.
Supported Fresenius, the leading German dialysis manufacturer, in reestablishing its presence in Saudi Arabia through the acquisition and consolidation of its local agent and existing entities.
Assisted in STC’s $200m sale of a 15% stake in STC Pay to Western Union, facilitating strategic expansion in financial services.
Advised Ajlan Holding on its full acquisition of the fast-growing logistics company AJEX across Saudi Arabia and ADGM, paving the way for its subsequent sale to DHL.
