Team size: 10 

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

In 2024, I played a key role in achieving various objectives within the Legal Department — encompassing contractual transactions, litigation, governance, IPRs, and compliance — which significantly contributed to the company’s goals, including but not limited to the following: 

1. > ~SAR 100m Major CAPEX transactions done successfully without disputes (incl. land purchases, construction agreements, equipment procurement, etc).  
2. > ~SAR 1.5m cost avoidance from legal cases/claims brought against the Company.  
3. Total spending on legal budget reduced by 35% vs. Act LY.  
4. 100% won legal cases filed BY and AGAINST the Company.  
5. Nomination, election and new Board of Directors setup completed successfully in compliance with CMA laws without violations.  
6. SADAFCO is recognised in the top 12 of the highest-ranking companies in Corporate Governance among (300) listed companies on Saudi Exchange Market (Tadawul).  
7. SADAFCO got (two) ISO certifications in Legal Management and Corporate Governance.  
8. ZERO monetary and non-monetary violations from CMA. 
9. I successfully established the Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) department to benchmark best practices in GRC, with approval from the Board. 
10. Participated in finalising the SPA transaction to complete the acquisition of the remaining 25% stake as stipulated in the put option agreement, securing full 100% ownership of our subsidiary in Poland. 
11. Oversaw the strategic decision to restructure the company’s GCC subsidiaries by liquidating them in compliance with applicable regulations. 

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

I led the team in shifting from traditional legal thinking to a business-oriented mindset by: (i) implementing monthly meetings with key internal stakeholders which has allowed us to provide more relevant legal advice that directly supports business initiatives; and (ii) I introduced training sessions focused on business strategy and commercial awareness, equipping the team with the skills needed to better understand and contribute to business outcomes. 

Based on your experience, what is the key to collaborating successfully with business partners? 

I believe that fostering open communication and building trust are crucial for understanding the goals and challenges of business partners, enabling us to provide tailored legal support that aligns with their objectives. Regular engagement through meetings and feedback sessions also helps maintain alignment and promotes a collaborative culture where everyone feels valued and heard. 

Apart from legal matters, has the team worked on other company initiatives you would like to highlight? 

In addition to legal matters, the team has played an active role in various company initiatives, including: (i) centralising compliance efforts under a single umbrella; (ii) reviewing and assessing existing processes and procedures to ensure they are updated as necessary with the implementation of a new ERP system; and (iii) offering employee training programs on a range of topics such as conducting investigations, the code of conduct, and insider trading awareness. 

What do you think are the key things to remember to motivate and manage the other members of your legal team? 

1. Encourage professional development.  

1. Helping them feel proud of their achievements and linking them to the company’s goals.  

1. Promote collaboration.