Dr. Faisal Mohammed Alfaqeer assumed office as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) at the company’s headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His appointment marks a new leadership chapter for one of the world’s leading petrochemical companies. The SABIC Board of Directors appointed Dr. Alfaqeer in March this year, entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the global chemical major into its next phase of growth. He succeeds Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, who previously held the role.
A New Leadership Chapter for SABIC
Taking charge at a pivotal moment for the company, Dr. Alfaqeer expressed pride and optimism about leading SABIC into the future. The transition also comes at a significant milestone as the company approaches its 50th anniversary, highlighting its long-standing role in shaping the global chemicals and petrochemicals industry. Dr. Alfaqeer said, “It is with great pride that I take the helm at SABIC, a global industry leader and national champion with a long-standing legacy. I am privileged to be chosen by SABIC’s esteemed Board of Directors to lead the company into its next chapter, building on its rich history as SABIC prepares to mark its 50th anniversary.”
Over Three Decades of Industry Experience
Dr. Alfaqeer is widely regarded as a respected leader in the global chemicals and energy sector. With more than 30 years of experience, he brings deep expertise in petrochemicals, refining, and large-scale industrial project development. Throughout his career, he has held several senior leadership roles across prominent organisations in the energy and chemical industries, gaining extensive operational and strategic experience.
Key Leadership Roles in the Energy and Chemical Industry
Before joining SABIC as CEO, Dr. Alfaqeer held several influential positions in leading energy and chemical companies. Notably, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Sadara Chemical Company from October 2017 to November 2022, where he played a key role in advancing one of the world’s largest integrated chemical complexes. In addition, he chaired the Board of ARLANXEO and the Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Company, contributing to strategic decision-making and industry partnerships.
Furthermore, he served as Senior Vice President for the In-Kingdom Liquids-to-Chemicals Development programme at Saudi Aramco, where he helped advance initiatives aimed at maximising value from hydrocarbon resources by converting liquids directly into high-value petrochemicals.
Strong Academic Foundation in Materials Science
Dr. Alfaqeer’s leadership is supported by a strong academic background in materials science and engineering. He earned both his Master of Science and PhD degrees in Materials Science & Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, USA. Earlier, he completed his Bachelor’s degree from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, one of the region’s leading institutions for engineering and energy studies.
Steering SABIC Toward Its Next Growth Phase
As per the press release, with extensive industry expertise and strategic leadership experience, Dr. Alfaqeer is expected to play a key role in driving SABIC’s growth, innovation, and sustainability initiatives. As the company moves toward its 50-year milestone, his leadership is likely to focus on strengthening SABIC’s global competitiveness while advancing its role in the evolving petrochemical and materials industry.
