Career biography

Ghassan H. Shawli is a seasoned chief executive legal officer based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with over 20 years of experience in legal transactions and management across multinational corporations and organisations. His expertise spans various jurisdictions, including highly regulated industries, where he excels in providing sustainable in-house legal support and advisory services, establishing legal resources, and fostering constructive partnerships.

Shawli currently serves as chief legal officer at ACWA Power, one of the world’s largest private developers of renewable and sustainable energy and water, where he has been instrumental since April 2021 in setting the group’s legal strategy, managing corporate compliance, and advising on legal risk management and corporate governance. Previously, he held the same designation at Diriyah Gate Development Authority (2020–2021), where he established the authority’s legal organisation to support regulatory activities and development efforts of one of the Kingdom’s biggest heritage, residential and hospitality projects in Riyadh.

From 2017 to 2020, Shawli served as vice president of legal affairs at The Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation. His role involved overseeing legal risks, compliance, claims of settlement, and litigation for the corporation and its affiliates. He also participated in multiple committees addressing compliance, security, and business risks. Concurrently, he served on boards and committees overseeing the corporation’s interest in some of its portfolio companies, driving strategic objectives and ensuring compliance.

Earlier in his career, Ghassan worked extensively for the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco). He held key positions where he managed legal teams and advised on major corporate, project and commercial matters. He also served as chief legal counsel and group secretary for Aramco Asia Group (2014–2016) from Beijing, PRC. During his tenure with Saudi Aramco he served as board secretary for Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Company, one of Saudi Aramco’s first ventures into the petrochemical sector.

Shawli began his professional journey as a Chemical Engineer (2000–2003), before completing his graduate studies in law where he earned his Jurisprudence Doctorate in 2006. Notably, he has been a licensed attorney with the New York State Bar since 2006.

Complementing his legal expertise, Shawli has published works on corporate governance, and his diverse background reflects a unique blend of technical and legal acumen, showcasing leadership in legal strategy, corporate governance, and risk management.