What are the most significant cases and/or transactions that you have been involved in over the past year?

Launch of VisionPro in the Middle East and Africa: I led the legal strategy for the rollout of a groundbreaking spatial computing product — Apple Vision Pro — across multiple countries in the Middle East and Africa. My role was central in navigating the complex and varied regulatory landscapes of the region, ensuring full compliance with local laws, certification requirements, and market entry conditions. I worked proactively with local regulators to shape a legal framework capable of accommodating such cutting-edge technology in jurisdictions where pre-existing regulatory governance for spatial computing was limited or non-existent. I addressed critical import and classification challenges and played a key role in devising strategies for regulatory and spectrum engagement. My work was instrumental in laying the legal foundations necessary to support the introduction of next-generation technology in alignment with Apple’s innovation roadmap.

Public Investment Fund on the sale of its 70% shareholding in SABIC to Saudi Aramco: I was a key member of the legal team advising the Public Investment Fund (PIF) on the landmark $69.1bn sale of its 70% stake in Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) to Saudi Aramco — the largest M&A transaction in Middle East history. Working alongside Clifford Chance and Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm (AS&H), I contributed to the complex legal structuring of the deal, supporting various aspects including M&A, antitrust, and banking and finance. My involvement helped navigate a demanding timeline and numerous regulatory and transactional challenges, ultimately aligning the deal with Vision 2030’s strategic investment goals.

The Kingdom’s first unlimited SAR-denominated domestic Sukuk programme: I was actively involved in advising the Government of Saudi Arabia on the establishment of its first unlimited SAR-denominated domestic Sukuk programme, as well as on all issuances made under the programme to date, totalling over SAR 50 billion. My role included advising on the structuring and documentation of the programme in compliance with Shari’ah principles and Saudi capital markets regulations. I worked closely with stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of multiple issuances, helping to position the Sukuk programme as a key instrument in the Kingdom’s domestic debt strategy and broader Vision 2030 financial sector development goals.

What innovations have you made to the way your legal team works in the past year?

Over the past year, I have introduced a series of impactful innovations to elevate the performance, agility, and strategic value of the legal team. Recognising that legal excellence must be underpinned by deep business understanding, I implemented a cross-functional shadowing initiative that embedded legal team members within various departments across the organisation. This initiative provided the team with first-hand exposure to day-to-day business operations, enhancing their commercial acumen and enabling them to deliver more nuanced, solution-oriented legal advice aligned with broader business objectives.

In parallel, I championed the integration of legal technology to transform how performance is measured and managed. I introduced tools to track progress against clearly defined KPIs, using data analytics to generate actionable insights and drive continuous improvement in both output and efficiency. These metrics have allowed my team to identify trends, anticipate risks, and proactively address potential issues before they escalate — contributing to a more strategic and forward-thinking legal function.

Furthermore, I launched a knowledge-sharing platform within the legal team, promoting the documentation of legal precedents, regulatory updates, and best practices. This initiative has streamlined onboarding, improved consistency in legal analysis, and created a culture of continuous learning. I also established a legal innovation forum — regular sessions where team members are encouraged to present process improvements, tech tools, or regulatory insights that could add value.

Through these combined efforts, I have repositioned the legal team from a reactive support function to a collaborative, business-enabling partner that actively contributes to innovation, compliance, and strategic decision-making across the organisation.

Which political, economic or regulatory changes have impacted your work the most in the past year?

One of the most defining influences on my work over the past year has been the unprecedented wave of regulatory change sweeping across Saudi Arabia, particularly within the financial and technology sectors. Driven by the ambitious goals of Vision 2030, the Kingdom is undergoing one of the fastest and most transformative periods of legal reform in the world. With new regulations emerging at a rapid pace, often simultaneously across different sectors, this evolving landscape has introduced both opportunity and complexity for legal practitioners.

This environment has demanded far more than traditional legal compliance — it has required foresight, agility, and strategic thinking. I have had to stay not only abreast of constant regulatory updates but also deeply engaged in interpreting and contextualising them within the specific realities of the business. From data protection to fintech innovation, each new regulation has the potential to shift operational priorities, risk frameworks, and long-term strategies.

I have responded by taking a proactive, solutions-oriented approach — ensuring my legal team is not only up to date, but also actively preparing the business to meet upcoming legal obligations. I have embedded legal foresight into the company’s planning cycles, worked cross-functionally to implement regulatory-readiness plans, and built streamlined processes to roll out legal change efficiently across the organisation.

In a climate where regulation could easily be seen as a constraint, I have instead positioned the legal function as a strategic enabler — guiding the business through reform with confidence, clarity, and a forward-looking mindset.