Turki B. Albacker named CEO of Aster Sanad Hospital

Updated 02 April 2025

Arab News

April 02, 2025 21:44

Aster DM Healthcare has announced the appointment of Professor Turki B. Albacker as chief executive of Aster Sanad Hospital, based in the Kingdom. This strategic appointment aligns with Aster’s commitment to strengthening its presence in the Saudi healthcare sector and enhancing patient-centric care.

Albacker brings extensive expertise in healthcare leadership, cardiac surgery, and medical education to his new role. His appointment is expected to drive operational excellence, financial sustainability, and strategic growth at Aster Sanad Hospital. He will report directly to Mohamed Alshamari, CEO of Aster Hospitals and Clinics, Saudi Arabia.

As CEO, Albacker will lead hospital strategy, patient care optimization, and service expansion while ensuring high standards of healthcare delivery. His focus will be on strengthening Aster Sanad’s brand positioning, implementing lean operational processes, and enhancing hospital performance to support the organization’s long-term vision.

Alshamari said: “Prof. Turki’s leadership and deep expertise in healthcare will be instrumental in advancing Aster Sanad’s mission. His strategic approach and commitment to innovation will enhance patient outcomes and reinforce our commitment to excellence in the Kingdom.”

Turki has an impressive background in clinical practice, policy development, and medical research. Prior to joining Aster, he held several key leadership positions, including chairman of the Cardiac Sciences Department at King Fahd Cardiac Center, dean of Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz College for Emergency Medical Services, and vice president of the Saudi Society of Cardiac Surgeons.

He has also served as a consultant for leading healthcare organizations and contributed significantly to medical policy and education. With nine years of experience in revenue cycle management and health insurance, he brings valuable insights into financial performance and operational efficiencies in the healthcare sector.

Turki said: “I am honored to join Aster DM Healthcare and lead Aster Sanad Hospital in its journey toward clinical excellence and patient-centric innovation. Together with our dedicated team, we will continue to elevate healthcare standards and expand access to high-quality services in Saudi Arabia.”

OSUS invests over SAR 2 billion in flagship "OSUS EYE" Project to transform urban living in Riyadh

Updated 25 May 2025

Arab News

May 25, 2025 10:44

OSUS invests over SAR 2 billion in flagship "OSUS EYE" Project to transform urban living in Riyadh

Updated 25 May 2025

Arab News

May 25, 2025 10:44

OSUS Real Estate Development Company has officially launched its flagship project “OSUS EYE” — a fully integrated urban destination that brings together elegant residences with contemporary luxury, a world-class Hilton Garden Inn hotel, branded residences tower under the Curio Collection by Hilton brand, premium-grade offices, and retail spaces. Strategically located at the intersection of Takhassusi Road and Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Road in northern Riyadh, the SR2-billion ($533 million) project extends over gross floor area exceeding 180,000 square meters, embodying the concept of a 10-minute city aligned with the ambitions of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

The development features 627 residential units, including apartments and townhouses, designed with modern architectural aesthetics across a dedicated residential area of 82,370 square meters. Additionally, the project allocates 46,854 square meters for commercial offices and retail, offering a contemporary business environment that supports entrepreneurship and investment. To meet the needs of residents and visitors, the project includes multi-story parking facilities totaling 155,400 square meters, ensuring ease of mobility and smooth traffic flow.

“OSUS EYE” is also home to a variety of recreational amenities, including lush green parks spanning 62,893 square meters, dining venues, cafes, and pedestrian and cycling paths — delivering a comprehensive urban experience that enhances the quality of life in the capital.

With this project, OSUS reaffirms its commitment to developing sustainable destinations and pioneering smart urban concepts that elevate living, working, and leisure experiences.

Founded in Riyadh in 2006, OSUS has established itself as a leading real estate developer, delivering high-impact projects across residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors. The company has developed a robust portfolio of 54 projects, including vibrant residential neighborhoods, modern office spaces, and urban landmarks that contribute to the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector, underscoring its clear strategic vision and excellence in execution.

SAS showcases future of AI-powered policing

Updated 24 May 2025

Arab News

May 24, 2025 22:04

SAS showcases future of AI-powered policing

Updated 24 May 2025

Arab News

May 24, 2025 22:04

SAS, a global leader in data and AI, demonstrated its transformative capabilities for modern law enforcement and public safety at the World Police Summit 2025, held in Dubai from May 13–15. At the event, SAS highlighted how data-driven intelligence is enabling safer cities, smarter policing, and greater public trust through solutions in AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics.

The SAS booth featured immersive, real-time demonstrations of its latest innovations, including autonomous AI agents, digital twins, AI co-pilots, and trusted AI governance frameworks. These technologies are being actively applied to critical areas such as organized crime detection, child protection, financial crime investigation, narcotics enforcement, and digital forensics.

Michel Ghorayeb, managing director of SAS UAE, emphasized the urgency and opportunity for agencies to modernize, saying: “As the world evolves, crime is becoming more sophisticated, data more abundant, and threats more versatile than ever. No agency can face this complexity alone. Collaboration powered by AI and intelligent decisioning is now essential to predict, detect, and respond with precision. These technologies empower officers to stay ahead of evolving threats and deliver safer outcomes. In today’s landscape, technology is no longer optional, it has become the foundation of modern policing.”

At the World Police Summit, Mohamed Mysara, public sector principal business solutions manager at SAS, showcased how AI and agentic intelligence are redefining the aviation landscape.

Mysara highlighted real-world use cases where SAS enables airports and authorities to move from reactive to autonomous operations, from early warning and risk detection to real-time resource reallocation and cross-agency coordination.

He demonstrated how agentic AI not only delivers role-specific intelligence, but also takes proactive action, reallocating gates and resources during flight delays or unforeseen circumstances, alerting third-party vendors, mobilizing and optimizing staffing

SAS has a long-standing commitment to empowering public sector organizations in the Middle East and beyond. In the UAE, SAS has contributed to impactful initiatives including cooperation with Dubai Police, Emirates Health Services, Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority.

With AI adoption accelerating globally, SAS is at the forefront of data innovation for law enforcement. By combining domain expertise, advanced analytics, and trusted governance, SAS is enabling agencies to act faster, smarter, and with greater confidence.

LuLu’s ‘British Food Week 2025’ shines a spotlight on prominent UK brands

Updated 22 May 2025

Arab News

May 22, 2025 14:02

LuLu’s ‘British Food Week 2025’ shines a spotlight on prominent UK brands

Updated 22 May 2025

Arab News

May 22, 2025 14:02

LuLu Retail has officially inaugurated “British Food Week 2025” across all its stores in Saudi Arabia, offering customers a week-long celebration of British products and exclusive in-store promotions. The event highlights the strong trade ties between Saudi Arabia and the UK, emphasizing the quality and heritage of British brands.

The launch ceremony took place at LuLu’s Diplomatic Quarter branch in Riyadh and was officiated by British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Neil Crompton. He was joined by Shehim Mohammed, director of LuLu Hypermarkets Saudi Arabia, as well as senior representatives from the British Embassy and LuLu management.

Running until May 27, British Food Week 2025 features more than 3,438 British products representing 367 established and trusted UK brands. The diverse range includes fresh and frozen foods, dairy items, snacks, beverages, packaged groceries, and health-focused options such as organic and gluten-free products.

As part of this year’s campaign, LuLu has introduced 40 new items from seven leading UK brands, offering customers in Saudi Arabia exclusive early access to innovative products entering the market. This initiative reflects LuLu’s commitment to delivering high-quality international products through strong sourcing partnerships and seamless logistics.

Ambassador Crompton said: “I’m delighted to be part of the opening of British Food Week 2025 at LuLu. It’s wonderful to see so many familiar UK products available here in Saudi Arabia, from classic teas and cheeses to new innovations. Events like these remind us that trade is not just about numbers, but about people, tastes, and shared experiences. I thank LuLu for their continued support in bringing British products closer to Saudi consumers.”

Mohammed added: “British Food Week is one of our most anticipated events, and we’re proud to bring it back across all LuLu stores in Saudi Arabia. It’s a celebration of British quality and a reflection of our strong sourcing partnerships with UK suppliers. With the continued support of our logistics and packaging center in Birmingham, we’re able to ensure that a wide variety of British products reach our shelves smoothly and consistently, offering our customers the best of the UK every year.”

British Food Week 2025 is currently live across all LuLu outlets in the Kingdom, featuring exclusive promotions and a curated selection of premium British products.

SAB and HSBC to power Riyadh Air’s expansion across Mideast, Asia

Updated 22 May 2025

Arab News

May 22, 2025 10:02

SAB and HSBC to power Riyadh Air’s expansion across Mideast, Asia

Updated 22 May 2025

Arab News

May 22, 2025 10:02

Saudi Awwal Bank, one of the leading banks in Saudi Arabia, and HSBC, the global banking and financial services organization, have together been awarded the Middle East and Asia cash management mandate for Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s digital native carrier, as it prepares to commence operations this year.

For more than 70 years, HSBC and SAB’s banking partnership has enabled clients in the Kingdom to grow domestically and expand internationally.

Together, SAB and HSBC will work closely with Riyadh Air to provide an integrated and seamless cash management program to manage all payment and liquidity needs across the two regions.

As a domestic house bank, SAB will oversee operations within Riyadh Air’s home market of Saudi Arabia when it begins operations, including facilitating payments and liquidity management. Additionally, SAB has been mandated as one of the acquirers for Riyadh Air’s e-commerce transactions, further enhancing the airline’s operational capabilities.

Simultaneously, HSBC will support Riyadh Air with its planned expansion in markets across the wider Middle East and Asia. The mandate will enable Riyadh Air to leverage HSBC’s award-winning payments solutions including Virtual Accounts, Omni Collect and automated sweeping solutions, ensuring efficient cash management and seamless liquidity across their international operations.

Executives from SAB and HSBC joined Riyadh Air at its new head office at the GACA Campus on Airport Road, for a signing ceremony to mark the partnership.

Yasser Albarrak, chief corporate and institutional banking officer at SAB, said: “We are proud to support Riyadh Air as it embarks on a journey to redefine aviation travel in the Kingdom. This partnership highlights our commitment to providing innovative banking solutions that empower groundbreaking projects in Saudi Arabia, ensuring that Riyadh Air can achieve its vision of transforming the travel experience.”

Adam Boukadida, CFO of Riyadh Air, said: “We are proud to be partnering with SAB and HSBC as we embark on our journey to revolutionize air travel. This collaboration will enable us to manage our financial operations effectively, ensuring a smooth launch and seamless service delivery.”

Kyle Boag, head of global payments solutions, HSBC Middle East, North Africa and Turkiye, said: “Connecting clients across the world is at our core. This mandate underscores HSBC’s world-leading payments solutions, our expertise in the aviation sector and our commitment to Saudi Arabia’s growth. As the largest international bank across Asia and the Middle East, we will provide Riyadh Air with seamless cash solutions as they take flight to new markets.”

PIF strengthens leadership with key appointments

Updated 21 May 2025

Arab News

May 21, 2025 22:18

PIF strengthens leadership with key appointments

Updated 21 May 2025

Arab News

May 21, 2025 22:18

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.

Turki B. Albacker named CEO of Aster Sanad Hospital