Previous Speakers

Deputy Minister of Investment

Mr. Aftab Ahmed is Chief Advisor, Automotive Sector, National Industrial Development Center (NIDC), under the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.

Eng. Mr. Aftab Ahmed joined the National Industrial Development Center (NIDC) in July 2019 after more than 30 years of #Automotive Experience in Engineering, Finance and Purchasing & Supply Chain at General Motors and Ford Motor Company, Detroit, USA. He is leading the Automotive Cluster team with other members as Chief Advisor.

Eng. Mr. Aftab Ahmed started his career at Ford Motor Company, Detroit, USA as Senior Product Engineer in 1989. He joined General Motors in 1993 as an engineer and worked in several disciplines of Engineering as Manager Product Engineering. In 1998, he moved to Brazil to lead a joint venture Pickup Truck project between GM & Isuzu in the Engineering Department. He moved back to the USA in 2001 and launched the Midsize Pickup Truck Program.
 
Eng. Mr. Aftab’s focus at Industrial Cluster has been on the business development and negotiation of several projects with global automotive OEM and suppliers for local manufacturing in KSA.

Eng. Mr. Aftab holds MBA degree in Finance & Management from University of Detroit, Detroit, USA and Masters of Mechanical Engineering degree from Wayne State University, Detroit, USA.

Faisal Sultan is the Vice President and Managing Director of Lucid Middle East. In this role, he oversees strategy for Middle East expansion and operations, sets comprehensive goals for the company’s performance and growth, establishes policies that promote company culture and vision, and manages relationships with key partners.

Faisal is focused on driving results by empowering and building a high-performance team. He is a collaborative team player who is committed to helping team members succeed and reach their potential by supporting their growth and development and engaging them to keep them informed on the company’s progress and development in the region.

Prior to joining Lucid Motors, Faisal served as Senior Director, Automotive for Industrial Clusters in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources. During his time there, he led the team that developed and implemented the Automotive Development Policy for the Kingdom’s localization of automotive manufacturing, supply chain development, and human resource capabilities.

Faisal has 23 years of combined automotive experience with Lucid, Industrial Clusters, FCA, Magna, Ford, and GM, where he held leadership positions spanning industrial development, manufacturing, operations, engineering, and program management. He also has global experience stretching across North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia.

Faisal holds a M.B.A. from New York Institute of Technology and a Master of Automotive Engineering from Lawrence Technological University.

Samer Aljabari is a Sr. Executive leader with 32+ years of global aviation experience (US & ME). He is Subject matter expert on aerospace engines technology with six patents and prestigious recognition awards. He is a respected leader directing global organizations across engineering, commercial, and services with accountability for multi-billion-dollar P&L. While working for GE for 14 years, he Spearheaded a global team on the conceptual design of a Guinness world record for the most efficient gas turbine in the world (HA). Established the Advanced Technology Center for GE Aerospace in Dubai from white space with focus on service contracts profitability resolving customer impact due to Hot and Harsh environment and Led the M&A of Alstom engineering by GE. He is currently, leading the KSA Aerospace Industrial Strategy activation with a pipeline of $12.5bn flagship investment projects on materials, AAM, MRO, and components manufacturing. He completed all his education at Arizona State University in Aeronautical engineering and is an FAA certified private pilot.

A Visionary leader with 20+ years of continuous development of core competencies and overcoming challenges. Recognised for performance, resilience, and ambition, with responsibility for numerous tasks within wholesale, retail and manufacturer management, channel development and strategy development. One of Mr. Mark’s key strengths is distinct communication skills that enables him to adapt to various situations and diverse personalities, including demanding interlocutors. Mr. Mark has an open mind to new ideas and opportunities, while approaching challenges with flexibility and a structured working method. 

As the Chief Innovation Officer at Petromin in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) & Head of Electromin, which is a leading Saudi multinational eco system for advanced mobility and automotive services and solutions, Mr. Marks main responsibility is to focus on newness, improvement, and spread of ideas or technologies across the company’s business verticals.

Rusty Russell is the Executive Director of Mobility at Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism projects, The Red Sea and AMAALA, both of which aim to offer emission-free electric and hydrogen transport across the entire destinations.

Since joining RSG in 2021, Rusty has led a team planning and implementing the air, land, and sea movements of RSG’s guests and staff.

He is an experienced professional with a diverse background in transportation and mobility, as well as event and project management, including almost 25 years of experience in major international mega- event design, planning, multi-million-dollar budget management, and full operations delivery.

As an international events leader in transportation and mobility, Rusty has managed challenging environments including three Olympic Games, two editions of the FIFA World Cup, two editions of the FIFA Club World Cup, two Special Olympic World Games, the Asian Games, the Asian Cup, multiple Formula One races and numerous other high profile international megaevents, Rusty has successfully trained and managed multicultural teams to ensure superior performance and successful delivery of operations.

After obtaining his degree in Sports Management, Rusty immediately began working in the field of international mega-events. Over the course of his career, he traveled to many locations across the globe to strategically plan, lead, consult, and operate transportation and mobility for events of various scopes and scales. He was previously the Head of Transport, Traffic, and Parking for Expo 2020 Dubai.

Michael Mueller is the Chief Executive Officer at TASARU. With over 25 years of global industry experience, he has built a vast international network, representing Porsche and VW in the KSA market and Porsche across key markets such as the Middle East, Western Europe, Africa, and Latin America, most recently before TASARU as Managing Director of Porsche Central and Eastern Europe.

In his previous role, he played a crucial role in managing investors and importers across 27 European markets, demonstrating his adeptness in change management, particularly during the shift from combustion engines to electric vehicles.

Haytham is Ceer’s Chief of Strategy & Initiative and oversees our engagement with key partners as well as the wider ecosystem. Haytham’s remit is to see the bigger picture and ensure that Ceer is moving forward with the momentum we need to deliver on our promise to both our customers and our stakeholders.
With a decade and a half of experience with top global consulting firms, including E&Y, PwC and Deloitte, Haytham has advised both private and public sector entities on their corporate strategies, strategic risk and internal audit. Prior to Ceer he was incubating strategic projects at the PIF. A dual national of both Canada and Jordan, Haytham has an MBA from the Manchester Business School and a bachelor’s degree in financial economics from Canada’s Carleton University. Haytham is also holds the certificate Risk and Compliance Management Professional.

Mohammed is a highly energetic business and engineering oriented calibre. With experience and passion towards strategic business growth and expansion for startups & SMEs in new emerging markets. Mr. Al-Musawa thrives to perform exceptionally to deliver shareholders' visions and objectives with numbers and foots on the ground.

Currently, Mr. Al-Musawa is leading the E-Mobility's transformation in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, building the largest E-Mobility infrastructure across the region. Establishing partnerships with various stakeholders "Public & Private sectors" and leading an amazingly talented team to achieve targets & objectives in making the e-mobility's change happening in the kingdom. 

Dr. Ali Alshehri, holding a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with a background in computer and embedded systems, joined King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in 2003. His work in developing control and navigation systems for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) propelled him to lead the National Center for Aeronautical Technology. Currently, Dr. Ali Alshehri leads the Future Mobility Institute, where he guides a team of researchers focused on developing cutting-edge solutions in autonomous systems and advanced mobility technologies. These advancements directly contribute to the Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) strategy outlined in Vision 2030. Dr. Ali Alshehri's leadership is instrumental in driving the institute's success, fostering a collaborative environment that translates innovative ideas into tangible solutions.

Ahmed is a Director at EY MENA based in Saudi Arabia and leading a recently established hub for the practice in Egypt with the focus on Sustainable Transport and Social Infrastructure. He is also an accredited Professional in Project Finance (CP3P), Sustainable Finance (CESF) and Sustainable Planning Professional (LEED AP ND).

 Ahmed has more than a decade of regional experience of infrastructure and public sector advisory services having worked as a territory manager and a lead advisor on a number of strategic planning, transformation, privatization programs, facilities development and finance for renowned public authorities and private sector organizations. Prior to joining EY, Ahmed worked in Mott MacDonald as a territory manager, advisory projects and transactions lead in Saudi Arabia. He also previously worked as a strategy advisor for the public sector at Arthur D. Little. He is specialized in public sector consulting, infrastructure, PPPs and transactions advisory.

Ahmed has worked with key institutions and government entities in the Middle East including Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai, Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT)in Abu Dhabi, Transport General Authority (TGA) in KSA, Office of Land Mobility (OLM) in NEOM, Ministry of Transportation (MoT) in Qatar, among others.

 Fathi Tlatli is the President of DHL’s Global Auto-Mobility Sector, responsible for the integrated strategy, the global EV development and global customer management for DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation. Fathi has held several international positions. He has been with DHL for over 20 years. He has been Vice President for the EMEA Engineering & Manufacturing Sector. Then received additional responsibility for the Global Aerospace Sector, before taking global responsibility for the Auto-Mobility sector. Fathi is the author of books on Time Management and Marketing in Emerging Markets, as well as articles in the international management and global supply chain management fields. He is also a professor at the ICHEC Brussels Management School.

Ali Ghnaim is a visionary leader and entrepreneur, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Gasable. With a robust educational foundation in Engineering from Mutah University and a Project Management from the German Jordanian University, Ali combines technical expertise with strategic business acumen to drive innovation in the energy sector.

At the helm of Gasable, Ali has been instrumental in expanding the company’s reach in international markets through strategic leadership and a passion for innovation. His team has effectively leveraged marketing expertise and distribution networks to consistently exceed revenue targets, establishing Gasable as a key player in the e-mobility and energy industries.

Ali's entrepreneurial journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to fostering profitable relationships. His strategic planning skills are underscored by a Certificate of Specialization in entrepreneurship and innovation from Harvard Business School. This unique blend of technical and business skills enables Ali to craft compelling narratives that resonate across diverse audiences, driving Gasable’s mission forward.

At the Global EV & Mobility Technology Forum 2024, Ali Ghnaim will share his insights on the future of electric vehicles and e-mobility, discussing the strategic initiatives and innovative approaches that are shaping the industry. His experience in managing complex projects and fostering sustainable development will provide valuable perspectives for attendees looking to navigate the evolving landscape of e-mobility.

Join Ali Ghnaim at the Global EV & Mobility Technology Forum 2024 as he explores the transformative potential of e-mobility and the strategic initiatives driving sustainable transportation.

Sushovan is a 10 years experienced consultant who has been working with multiple clients across multiple regions across the globe. He is the Global eMobility Manager and manages the Global eMobility Centre of Excellence of PwC. He started his stint in eMobility as a Manager who managed the Project Management Unit setup in Government of India to develop policies and regulations for EVs and Charging Infrastructure and later went on to join the German Development Agency, GIZ which is funded by Government of Germany where he was an advisor to South East Asian countries for eMobility ecosystem development. Later he moved to Germany where he supported public and private players across EU to develop an holistic charging infrastructure ecosystem. Last year he moved to the region where he has been supporting multiple public and private sector clients in developing the eMobility ecosystem.

Mr. Mohammed has 20 years of experience in electrical field , Holder for the Galileo Master Certificate in the eMobility & CharIN Expert Level Certified.

Mr. Mohammed is a highly skilled professional with a solid background in the design, installation, and communications for the electric vehicle charging systems. Over the past 3 years, Mr. Mohammed has been actively involved in the EV industry, gaining extensive experience in managing charging infrastructure projects from conception to completion. Mohammed's technical knowledge, combined with my ability to develop innovative solutions.

Mohammed has consistently resulted in successful and efficient charging network installations.

Mr. Shi Weijun serves as the Country Director for Chery Business in the KSA market. In this capacity, he is responsible for overseeing the company's strategic initiatives for expansion and operations in Saudi Arabia. He sets ambitious goals to drive the company's performance and growth, establishes policies that foster the company's culture and vision and manages relationships with key partners while continually seeking new collaborations.

Mr. Shi Weijun is dedicated to achieving results through empowering and cultivating a high-performing team. He collaborates effectively, prioritizing the success and development of team members by supporting their growth and engaging them in the company's advancements and progress within the region.

With a solid background spanning 12 years in the automotive industry, Mr. Shi Weijun has extensive experience across various facets including development, manufacturing, operations, engineering, and program management in both the UAE and the broader Middle East region.

A dynamic and versatile professional with exceptional business and financial acumen, skilled in effectively managing and developing diverse organizations' leaders to drive exponential revenue growth and ensure long term sustainability.

Proficient in initiating infrastructure improvements, enhancing technological and digital capabilities, identifying emergent markets, Adept at delineating comprehensive financial plans to stimulate declining enterprises, portfolio diversification, business development, and operations management.

With outstanding communication skills, Mr.Ibrahim is adept at mentoring high-performing teams across diverse populations, developing and nurturing shareholder relationships, and generating robust sales.

Shavaye Govender is the Head of Business Development, MENA. He leads Uber’s business operations, including strategy and execution of business development deals and partnerships within these regions.

Shavaye joined Uber in 2016 as the Head of Strategic Partnerships and Enterprise for Sub-Saharan Africa, where he scaled Uber’s presence across multiple African markets. After three years of significant contributions, Shavaye transitioned to his current role, overseeing the business development function in the Middle East.

Key highlights of Shavaye’s impactful contributions at Uber include optimising operational efficiencies, driving market growth through innovative strategies, and fostering strong partnerships with local stakeholders. He has played a pivotal role in navigating expansion and enhancing Uber's market presence in highly competitive regions.

Prior to joining Uber, Shavaye was the Vice President of Customer Segments at Barclays, where he was responsible for overseeing the customer journey across retail and business banking, defining principles to guide delivery across products, channels, and segments. He is a strong advocate for leveraging technology to address urban mobility challenges and improve the quality of life in the regions he oversees.

Shavaye holds an Honours degree in Investment Finance from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

H.E Pascal H. Grégoire is the current Belgian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Between the year 2018 and 2022 he served as an Ambassador to Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam. He has also served as the Deputy Head of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ambassador in Afghanistan, Head of Mission of the Belgian Diplomatic Office in Kosovo, First Secretary of the Belgian Embassy in UK, Board Member of Belgium's National Geographic Institute, Advisor to two Minister's of Foreign Affairs and to the Minister of International Aid. He has served as an Alternate Executive Director for Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.

Ahmed is a seasoned professional in the sustainability and clean energy industry, currently serving as the Sustainability Market Leader for the Middle East Region at Bureau Veritas, Managing Director for the MENA Region at CharIN and Advisor at the A2Z Coalition. He is a trusted advisor to clients across the region, helping them to establish and achieve their net-zero goals. Ahmed has a deep understanding of the clean energy and sustainable mobility sectors, having served as the Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEV) Lead at the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, where he promoted and advocated for the ZEV Declaration launched at COP26 in Glasgow. The Declaration aims to accelerate the transition to ZEVs by 2035 in leading markets and 2040 in emerging markets. He also served as the Managing Director of the MENA Clean Energy Business Council (CEBC), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting clean energy and clean technologies and solutions in the MENA region. At CEBC he launched several initiatives and working groups and co-authored multiple research pieces and white papers around Climate Finance, Venture Capital in Climate Tech, Electric Mobility, Energy Efficiency and others.

With an MBA in Sustainable Mobility Management from the Technical University of Berlin, Ahmed's research interests lie at the intersection of policy, technology, and consumer behavior, and how they can be leveraged to accelerate the transition to clean energy and sustainable mobility sectors. He is committed to helping businesses and organizations achieve their sustainability goals, and drive the global transition to a more sustainable future.

Baerte de Brey works at Stedin, a Dutch DSO. Responsible for analyzing the long term effect of electric mobility on the electricity grids, Baerte helps build a sustainable business case around this transition. This includes vehicle2grids, solving regulatory barriers and cyber security. He graduated from Leiden University in 2001 with a law degree and received a MBA from Nyenrode Business University in 2006.

On behalf of Stedin, he is one of the executive board members of ElaadNL. ElaadNL is a collaboration of the Dutch DSO’s and the knowledge and innovation centre in the field of (smart) charging infrastructure. As an expert for the European Commission he sometimes reviews collective European programs concerning EV interoperability and smart charging.

Gaurav brings over two decades of experience spanning consulting, research and analysis, business development and project management across Advanced manufacturing, Mobility and Energy sectors.

 He currently leads the Automotive and Future Mobility focussed Insights team at EY and his work covers areas such as electric vehicles, urban mobility, automotive retail and customer innovation. Gaurav has contributed to EY’s global thought leadership in these areas and has managed a variety of projects including market analysis, growth strategy, market entry assessment, and business plan analysis for clients around the world. 

 In his leadership capacity, Gaurav has been responsible for building and growing international teams, building relationships with senior stakeholders, and collaborating on pursuits, business development and engagement delivery with EY teams globally. He has represented EY at industry events, interacted with the international press, and moderated discussions and presentations.

 Gaurav earned his Bachelor of Commerce from Delhi University and an MBA from the International Management Institute in Delhi.

Hashim has demonstrated a flair for business since his first leadership position over 20 years ago, acquiring cross-sector exposure in start-up, mid-sized and established organisations. Advancing to director level, Hashim showcases strong strategic, operational and commercial acumen that enables organisations to expand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). With a vast network of contacts across the region, he is well respected and revered by his peers and colleagues.

Hashim knows how to build an organisation from the ground up, yielding the highest growth and realising an impressive $multimillion turnover in the first trading year. Hashim is a strategic thinker who shapes inventive visions aligned with corporate objectives, market trends and industry needs. As for financing, Hashim has built trusting relationships with local governments and regional banking institutions.

Bio

Tu My Tran is the Head of Sustainable Mobility and Global Coordinator at ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. Tu My leads a program working with cities and regions to transition towards integrated and environmentally friendly mobility systems for people and goods, focusing on decarbonization, last-mile logistics, digitalization, and active mobility. With a background in international relations on global economics and social affairs, Tu My brings extensive urban expertise from Europe, Asia Pacific, and Africa to her work in transport and mobility policy, research, and practice.

Asher Moses, CEO Sherbet The Electric Taxi Co. Asher is an experienced business leader who has consistently identified untapped opportunities and achieved a series of multi-revenue stream businesses and commercial successes spanning three decades.
Asher has spent over 20 years dedicating his life to advancing the iconic and world class London Black Taxi, and will continue his mission to prove that it can be revolutionised to become an essential part of any global 21st century Smart City.

Mansour Almakahlas is currently leading the eMobility division at Solutions Valley by Saudi Electricity Company, where he spearheads the implementation of innovative strategies to enhance the adoption of electric vehicle technologies across Saudi Arabia. Mansour is deeply committed to integrating sustainable technologies with market demands, focusing on product localization, competitive pricing, and strategic channel development to optimize market penetration and customer satisfaction. making him a pivotal leader in Saudi Arabia’s journey towards a greener future in mobility.

Having lived the majority of his life in the UK, Saudi national Al-Hisan is offering the country a European sensibility to elevate the lives of drivers in his home country. Choosing Alkhobar as the launch of the charging station was deliberate — it’s the cradle of oil and gas, and liquid gold has been pumped into the economy and the car-dependent country since the start.

Roger brings over 30 years of leadership experience leading and supporting EV Start-ups, Product and Vehicle Development, Vehicle, Assembly and Component production processes, M&A, Vehicle and Program Launch Management, and Asia- Pacific focused Business Development.

Roger is a trusted advisor to Top Tier Consulting firms enabling Asia Pacific industrialization, quality deployment and product development. In addition, he advises OEM clients with respect to vehicle development, vehicle systems engineering, and has deep expertise in Electric Vehicles and propulsion systems integration. Roger as a member of the founding team of Automotive Start up Qoros has written, led and guided development roadmaps and go to market strategies for EV & ICE vehicles and propulsion systems.

Prior to operating at the vehicle level, Roger began as a Journeyman Toolmaker & Patternmaker, was proud to serve as a Sargent in the USAF, and then took on engineering roles with ASC, and Toyota in Japan where he was certified in the Toyota Production System. Roger became a VP for Lear, managing the Asian region including establishing the Philippine, India, Korean & China Engineering Centers for Interiors, Seats, Wiring & Electronics, as well as various operational and plant management roles. Roger has also managed 7 mergers and acquisitions throughout Asia and Europe during his career.

Roger holds a BSME from the University of Maryland (CCAF), ME with Computer Controls from Henry Ford Community College, Unix & C++ Programming Certificate from University of Michigan and is a Journeyman Toolmaker.

Aadil currently serves as a Principal Consultant in the Advisory Practice of Frost & Sullivan (MEA) Mobility Practice. Aadil Rashid Khan has been a key member of the Frost & Sullivan Middle East Mobility Team for the past 11 years, with a cumulative mobility industry experience of over 16 years. He is a Saudi Arabia expert, who has supported different mobility industry stakeholders in their growth journeys in the country. His expertise ranges from greenfield project planning to feasibility planning, revenue optimization, network efficiency management and change management. He has participated in multiple private and government ventures in achieving the Vision 2030 targets, advising clients on the most optimized growth strategies and route to market strategies. With hands-on experience in setting up manufacturing units globally and launching mobility products in different geographies, Aadil is positioned perfectly to stimulate innovative thinking and drive product penetration in upcoming manufacturing hubs like Saudi Arabia. 

Aadil’s views are regularly sought and he has been quoted in industry and business magazines/newspapers like Forbes Middle East, Consultancy ME, EV Auto Show, etc.  

He has also been invited as a panel member and industry thought leader at various conferences in different countries of the Middle East. The latest of these was in the EC Auto Show held in Riyadh in 2023.  

Yvonne`s professional focus is the strategic management of organizations and the management of change. She has a long-standing experience working for organizations and joint ventures in Germany. Her management experience covers as wide a variety of sectors as real-estate, logistics, wholesale, and retail. She has founded and successfully managed her own companies for more than 15 years. Having worked in the family SME for several years (beverage wholesale and logistics), she has both a strong entrepreneurial track-record and an entrepreneurial family background.

She hold the equivalent of a master’s degree in business management (“Diplom-Kauffrau“) from the University of Applied Sciences Deggendorf, Germany.

She is a certified professional business mediator and business coach. Her personal favourites are sustainability projects, working with people, and connecting ideas. Her vision is to bring sustainable cutting-edge technologies into the world.

Founded by Muhammad Jamal and Tarish Al Qubaisi, Savvy Charging Technologies is a pioneering company in the region that offers off-grid and on-demand EV charging using cutting-edge technology. Their motto is "Never worry about charging your EV ever again." Based in Masdar City, the company utilizes proprietary technology sourced from the USA.

Savvy is an enterprise-only EV charging solution that allows for accelerated EV adoption without the need for grid-connected charging stations. The company, based in the United Arab Emirates, takes pride in its Emirati roots, with Tarish Al Qubaisi as one of the founders.

Muhammad Jamal, known as MJ, has multiple successful business ventures in the region and is a pioneer in the service delivery model. With a postgraduate degree from the University of Texas A&M, he has valuable experience working with companies like Halliburton, Eaton, ADNOC, and ADNOC Distribution, giving him a deep understanding of energy needs in the EV space.

Tarish Al Qubaisi is a successful entrepreneur with ventures in the trading sector and automotive industry. Currently working at ADNOC Group, he obtained a degree from the University of Arizona.

A visionary leader who has consistently delivered innovative solutions, driving the successful implementation of renewable energy initiatives and shaping a greener future.

Electrical Engineer and EMBA graduate from KFUPM with more than 14 Years of experience in energy field within multinational organizations such as AREVA T&D, ALSTOM, GE, ABB, Hitachi and Neom Green Hydrogen Company.

James has over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry and is considered a pioneer veteran in the EV charging infrastructure sector, as he founded Charging Solutions, one of the very first EV charging supply and installation companies in the UK in 2010.  He went on to sell that company to Chargemaster plc in 2014 to become their Group Sales Director and in 2018 was part of the senior management team that sold the business to bp in 2018 and which is now known globally as bp pulse.

Having left bp in 2019, James carried out a number of Advisory, Consultancy and Interim Leadership Sales roles and over the past two years has built up considerable knowledge and market intelligence in battery supported DC charging – particularly where power availability, stability of power, length of time to updgrade power and the high cost of power upgrade is a barrier to the installation of super-fast high powered EV charging

Rami Shabaneh is a fellow in the Oil and Gas program, with a focus onnglobal gas and hydrogen markets. Rami has nearly 15 years of research and industry experience analyzing energy markets and energy policy.
Before joining KAPSARC, Rami worked at Cenovus Energy as a market fundamentals analyst, providing analytic support on specific issues affecting North American gas, natural gas liquids and condensate markets.
His work informed the company’s hedging strategies. Before working atnCenovus Energy, Rami spent three years as a research economist at the Canadian Energy Research Institute. He holds a B.Sc. in actuarial science and an M.Sc. in sustainable energy development from the University of Calgary.

Johnny leads direct, indirect and logistics purchasing, purchasing program management, supply chain and logistics operations for Ceer. In this role he is responsible for delivering products which are competitive in cost, high in quality, and innovative which aims to ensure that Ceer is the customer of choice.

He is also responsible for developing a competitive Supplier ecosystem to support a viable and sustainable Automotive Industrial Cluster in Saudi Arabia.

Johnny brings a wealth of diverse and extensive automotive industry experience, having worked in India, USA, Brazil, China, Singapore and South Korea as a General Motors International Vice President – GPSC. He was a member of the Regional Strategy Board of General Motors Latin America, Middle East and Africa [LAAM] from 2007 to 2010 and Executive Council member of General Motors International Operations from 2010 to 2023. 

Since 2018 Johnny has been General Motors’ lead executive for the Uzbekistan / CIS markets and was a member of the Supervisory Council. In this role he was instrumental in establishing a very competitive manufacturing footprint in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan by enabling deep industrialization and localization of Chevrolet vehicles.

Before joining GM, Johnny worked for Mazda, Yamaha and Asahi Glass of Japan in India. He holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce and MBA degree from Punjabi University, India.

Alexander heads the Infrastructure Projects and Energy practice in the Middle East and is one of the founding partners of our Riyadh office. Alexander advises on large scale energy and infrastructure (social infrastructure, transportation, smart cities, and other) projects. He regularly works a legal lead in consortia of technical, financial and legal advisors on these projects and developments. His clients include sovereigns, utilities, financial institutions, industry, regional and international development banks, specialised funds, sponsors and project developers.

Alexander is a lawyer trained and qualified in Germany (Rechtsanwalt), who is also admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales. He holds a Masters in Law in International and European Business Law (summa cum laude). Alexander has served as a member of the Advisory Council of the US Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation, and is currently a member of the Advisory Council of the MENA Hydrogen Alliance as well as the Dii – Desertec renewable energy initiative in North Africa and the Middle East.

Prior to joining Addleshaw Goddard, Alexander headed the Africa and Middle East energy and infrastructure practice for US-headquartered international law firm and prior to that was responsible for the East Africa business of one of the world's largest international law firms. Alexander lived in Germany, the US, The UK, Tanzania and the U.A.E (Dubai) before he moved to Riyadh in 2023.

Quentin has more than 10 years of international experience spent in four different countries. After thrilling years as manager for trade associations in Brussels and Berlin he came for the first time to Saudi Arabia to work as consultant for the German Chamber of Commerce- GESALO and for the German Federal Export and Investment Agency-GTAI. His main area of focus during this period was set on renewable energy developments in the Kingdom. After a break of two years spent in Bonn as manager-industries focussing on energy and environmental technologies, Quentin found his way back to Riyadh where he is now heading the Hydrogen Diplomacy Office, an initiative of the German Federal Foreign Office being implemented by GIZ-the German International Cooperation.

Philologist and political scientist by education, Quentin later took the MBA-Renewables to sustain his wish to deepen his knowledge in energy and sustainable technologies

Carl-Magnus Norden is Founder of Volta Truck and Decade Energy. Volta Trucks is an electric truck OEM that he started investigating in 2016 and founded in 2019. Decade Energy is helping fleet depot operators to implement electric fleet in their operations, covering the whole ecosystem from Truck-to-Grid, including charging infrastructure, PV/solar, storage batteries and smart grid integration (balancing, load shifting, etc) and a software layer integrating data from all these sources. 

He has over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience with a proven history of starting and scaling businesses in multinational settings, having lived in six European countries, and started business in most of them in industry’s as diverse as real estate, private equity, internet services, crowdfunding and now electrification of transport. He has extensive experience in Business and Technology Development, and Venture Capital markets. Carl-Magnus is a Swedish national who graduated from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France, and until 2020, was the Chairman of the Board of its Swedish Alumni Association.

Dr. Yousef Alshammari is the founder, CEO and Head of Oil Research at CMarkits, London UK. He is a former Research Fellow at the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and a current Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Imperial College London.

Dr. Alshammari is one of the most reputable energy markets analysts in Saudi Arabia and the GCC with more than 10 years of experience in energy research. He is a writer at Forbes Middle East, CNN Arabic, Oil price with more than 40 insight articles analyzing the impact of global issues on energy markets. His articles have been featured by Business Insider, MarketWatch, NASDAQ, and Yahoo Finance.

His insight is frequently quoted by CNN, Bloomberg, CNBC, Petroleum Economist, S&P Platts, and Energy Intelligence.

He has conducted more than 300 TV shows on oil markets and energy affairs with multiple channels including BBC Arabic, Al-Arabiya, CNBC Arabia, AFP, CGTN and TRT World. Furthermore, He is an expert member at the Group of Experts on Sustainable Energy at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Geneva, where he has been advising countries on better strategies to adopt cleaner production of electricity from fossil fuels and decarbonisation of transport via natural gas.

While conducting his PhD at Imperial, Dr. Alshammari received the outstanding student service award as the President of the Student Chapter of the International Association of Hydrogen Energy at Imperial College London. He was selected as a Future Energy Leader by World Energy Council in 2013 while receiving the World Energy Congress prize for top 20 research papers in 2016 for his work on the impact of low oil prices on carbon capture and storage. In 2017, he was the winner of the UK Alumni Award for Professional Achievements (2017) and he was honoured as a Young Global Changer by the G20 Global Solution Summit in Berlin, Germany. In 2018, he was honoured with a certificate of appreciation for his long-term leadership services as a board member of Future Energy Leaders by the World Energy Council.

A seasoned corporate leader in the transportation and logistics industry with an illustrious career of over three decades. He is a postgraduate in Business Administration from NMIMS, a globally acclaimed B-school in Mumbai, India.

Budget Saudi, a publicly listed company since 2007, had been the highlight of his career, being associated for over 20 years. It is the largest car rental and leasing company in the MENA region & Southeast Asia, with a fleet of over 36,000 vehicles; it is expected to reach over 50,000 vehicles soon after the acquisition of AutoWorld is completed. The company has a market cap exceeding SAR 6 billion and is listed among the top Fortune 500 Arabia companies. Anil’s experience and expertise at various senior management positions in Budget Saudi and in diverse print, electronic, and satellite media fields allowed him to conceive, launch, and successfully manage SBUs and implement effective business growth and sustainability strategies.

Anil is a leader who is passionate about people & performance and delivering high returns to stakeholders. His leadership style, which prioritizes general administration, strategic planning, and yield management, has been instrumental in achieving Customer Excitement.

With over three decades of professional experience in Operations Management, Sales, & Marketing in various industries in multi-cultural- multinational environments, Anil believes in constant innovation and change management to drive accelerated growth. His motto, perform with Passion is a testament to his dedication, and his lifestyle of Leading by example inspires his team. Anil's commitment to fostering a positive work culture is evident in his habit of celebrating the success of people and the company.

He had been decorated for his work with awards from Forbes Middle East – Top 100 Marcomm Professionals in the region. He had won the global Stevie Awards in Las Vegas, a renowned Customer Service & Sales recognition for consecutive years in 2023 & 2024.

Dr. Himani Jain, Senior Programme Lead at The Council, brings 20 years of experience across strategic philanthropies, academia, consulting firms, and development authorities.

At CEEW, Himani leads the team research towards emerging transport technologies, bus planning management and the development of smart mobility zones. Himani has expertise in land use and mobility planning, road safety, participatory approaches, campaigns and business solutions development.

She has actively developed policy notes and implementation strategies for urban local bodies, state governments, and UN agencies. A professionally trained architect and urban regional planner, she holds a doctorate degree in transport planning from IIT Delhi.

Thamer Al Yemni is a distinguished leader in the fields of strategic planning, business development, and investment, currently serving as the Chairman of Gasable. With a robust educational background in Computer and Information Sciences from Prince Sultan University, Thamer has harnessed his technical expertise to drive innovation and strategic growth in various industries.

Throughout his career, Thamer has demonstrated a keen ability to blend technical acumen with business strategy, making significant contributions to the organizations he leads. His role at Gasable involves steering the company towards becoming a leading player in the e-mobility and energy sectors, focusing on sustainable and innovative solutions.

Thamer's leadership extends beyond business operations; he is known for his exceptional communication skills and his ability to work effectively with diverse teams. His strategic vision and commitment to excellence have been pivotal in the successful execution of numerous projects, including major infrastructure developments and technology implementations.

At the Global EV & Mobility Technology Forum 2024, Thamer Al Yemni will share his insights on the future of electric vehicles and e-mobility, discussing the critical role of strategic planning and innovation in driving the industry forward.

His experience in managing complex projects and fostering sustainable development will provide valuable perspectives for attendees looking to navigate the evolving landscape of e-mobility.

Join Thamer AlYemni at the Global EV & Mobility Technology Forum 2024 as he explores the transformative potential of e-mobility and the strategic initiatives that are shaping the future of sustainable transportation.

Mahdi Brings almost 20 years of industry & consulting experience with a focus on Automotive & Industrial. He has delivered many Strategy and EBITDA improvement projects for Automotive companies in Middle East & Europe.

Noor has a diversified management experience and exposure with extended learning curve. He possesses wide knowledge and practice in the areas of Strategic Planning, Business Development, Project Management, Renewable Energy Management and Sustainability solutions. He has developed high-toned skills and in-depth technical know-how through establishing and developing various projects and businesses in multiple industries both locally and internationally.

Obieda Ghazal is a technology professional and entrepreneur with a profound passion for innovation and e-mobility. With a background in computer engineering and an Executive MBA from HEC Paris, Obieda seamlessly blends technical expertise with strategic business acumen to drive transformative advancements in the electric vehicle (EV) industry.

From a young age, Obieda’s curiosity and inventive spirit led him to dismantle and reassemble electronic devices, sparking a lifelong fascination with technology. This earlypassion evolved into a distinguished career in hardware and software engineering, wherehe has been instrumental in developing cutting-edge solutions that bridge the gapbetween software and hardware, enhancing communication and efficiency.

As the founder of several innovative ventures, Obieda is on a mission to transform the EV charging industry with smart, efficient solutions that make sustainable transportation accessible to everyone. His work in this field is not just about technology; it's about making a positive impact on the planet and driving the future of e-mobility.

Having worked in various countries and collaborated with diverse teams, Obieda possesses exceptional communication skills and a deep understanding of global markets.

His experiences have shaped him into a dynamic leader committed to using technology and innovation to create lasting, positive change.

At the Global EV & Mobility Technology Forum 2024, Obieda will share insights from his journey and discuss the future of e-mobility, the importance of innovation in the EV industry, and the transformative impact of technology on sustainable transportation.

Join Obieda Ghazal at the Global EV & Mobility Technology Forum 2024 as he explores the cutting-edge developments in e-mobility and the role of innovative technology in shaping a sustainable future.

Corvin founded Skyroads AG in 2019 to enable sustainable, commercially viable and scalable Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Skyroads’ digital infrastructure offers a flight guidance system and traffic control system, comprised of avionics and ground systems, providing safe and universal access of autonomous vehicles to the lower airspace and giving their operators access to the future Low Altitude Economy.

Corvin is an aviation industry expert with 30 years in engineering and management. He has successfully led aircraft design and manufacturing and material science companies and is now dedicated to making the 3rd dimension accessible to all. Corvin is an active pilot.

Abu Mathen George is currently posted in Embassy of India, Riyadh as Deputy Chief of Mission. He belongs to the 2009 batch of the Indian Foreign Service.

He has served in Indian Missions in Cairo (2011-2015) and Washington DC (2020-2023). In Delhi, he has served as Officer on Special Duty (Press Relations) in the Official Spokesperson’s Office in the Ministry of External Affairs.

He holds a Graduate Degree in B.A. LLB (Hons) from the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, India and Masters in Public Policy from Princeton University, USA.

As the Project Director for hopon Micromobility, AlMuhannad Aseel works closely with the CEO, CCO, and a dedicated team to provide smart transportation solutions, including micro-mobility and Demand-Responsive Transport (DRT) platforms, across over 16 locations, including AlUla, NEOM, KAEC, Jeddah Albalad, and KFUPM. This innovative approach has positioned hopon as a leader in sustainable urban transportation in Saudi Arabia. 

Additionally, he is spearheading the KAEC Smart City project with the goal of transforming all city mobility into smart mobility.

At the GEMTEC Forum, AlMuhannad will share insights on the future of micro-mobility, sustainable development, and technological innovation in urban mobility.

Having led various global enterprise business transformations, spending his time between philanthropy and venture studio, in combination with his +10year business transformation experience, Viresh’s ability to walk next to you, dissecting complex topics, such as Generative AI, into valuable and understandable bite-size chunks that you can drive action with, is absolutely refreshing.

Jeffrey Beyer is the Founder and Managing Director of Zest Associates, a UAE-based sustainability consultancy focused on business and government strategy, cleantech innovation, and green finance. He is also the United Nations Development Programme's Chief Technical Advisor to the Saudi Ministry of Energy, delivering a $16 million program on clean energy. Jeffrey specializes in forming new programs and initiatives to accelerate solutions like hydrogen, energy efficiency, renewable energy and breakthrough low carbon technologies. He also leads Zest Cleantech, the innovation arm of Zest Associates that connects exceptional innovators with clients, investors and joint venture partners in the Middle East. He is also the Founder and CEO of Terra Power, a UK-based technology start-up developing nature-based solution that couples land remediation and biogas production. Jeffrey has worked in over 20 countries, launching innovation programs for utilities and multilateral banks and establishing national Centres of Excellence for renewables and energy efficiency. He has authored landmark studies on accelerating the clean hydrogen industry in the UAE and financing a green transition in the Middle East, and was instrumental in founding the UK's first cleantech Venture Capital fund as public-private partnership, now capitalized with £100 million. He holds undergraduate degrees in Economics and Psychology, and a Masters in Environmental Change & Management from Oxford University.

Mustafa is a Low-Carbon Hydrogen & CCUS Expert with over 15 years of experience in energy and sustainability. As a Lead Technologist, he has driven transformative initiatives across the MENA region, collaborating with local and global teams to deliver sustainable solutions in the energy sector. He played a key role as the technical lead on a nationally focused study on Hydrogen & CCUS strategy with a leading consulting firm defining strategic roadmaps and capitalizing on Hydrogen and CCUS opportunities. Mustafa is a book chapter co-author on a recently published book on the clean hydrogen economy and Saudi Arabia which delved into the intricate value chains of green/blue hydrogen and CCUS within the context of Saudi Arabia and globally. His career demonstrates dedication to advancing low-carbon technologies for a sustainable future.

As the Ambassador at the Embassy of Hungary in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the Republic of Yemen, I represent Hungary's interests and values in a strategic and dynamic region. I have been serving in this role since November 2019, after being promoted from Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Hungary in Rome and previously at our Embassy in Riyadh.

I feel fortunate because between 2014 and 2018, during my first mission in Riyadh, I could witness the initial phase of those impressive changes which have led to the KSA we see nowadays, putting this country to the forefront of green and sustainable solutions in the region.

H.E. Aníbal Gómez-Toledo is a career diplomat since 1994, with the rank of Ambassador.

On November 7th, 2019, he took office as Ambassador of Mexico to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrein, Oman and Yemen, based in Riyadh.

Previously he served as Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Mexico in the United Kingdom (Dec 2018 – Nov 2019) whilst serving as Deputy Head of Mission (Feb 2017).

He served also as Consul of Mexico in London (Aug 2014 - Feb 2017), Consul of Mexico in Washington, DC (2009-2014), Deputy Consul General at the Consulate General of Mexico in Chicago, Illinois (2005-2009), and as Head of Protection and Legal Affairs at the Consulate General of Mexico in El Paso, Texas (1996-2001).

At the central offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs he has held positions as Director of Protection to Mexicans Abroad (2001-2005), Deputy Director of Consular Affairs (1995-1996), Head of the Department for Consular Organization (1993-1995) and Coordinator of Consular Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affair’s Office at the Mexico City International Airport (1992).

Amb. Aníbal Gómez-Toledo worked with the National System of Newscasts at the Mexican Institute of Radio (1989-1992), and also as Associate Professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and at the Department of International Studies at the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences (1988-1991).

He graduated from the Matias Romero Institute (Diplomatic Academy of Mexico) in 1994. He holds a BA in International Relations from the National Autonomous University of Mexico and has carried out several courses on international affairs such as “Migration and Development”, “Peace and International Security”, “Language and Diplomacy”, “Foreign Policy” and “Fiscal Policy”, among of others.

James Luxbacher is the Chief Buisness Development Officer of the Riyadh-based Samara Land Transportation Services and Sixt KSA since October 2023 after previously leading the company as Managing Director since April 2021. He has aggressively increased the company's fleet size and launched the Sixt Rental Brand in a strategic expansion across KSA.

Prior to joining Samara Land Transportation Services and Sixt KSA, he served as the General Manager of the Avis United Arab Emirates LLC Dubai, where he successfully managed operations through the COVID-19 crisis. Prior to relocating to the Middle East, he held various senior positions at the USA-based Hertz Corporation and worked across multiple corporate and operational functions.

When it comes to implementing and managing first-rate mobility operations in the North American and Middle Eastern markets, Luxbacher is an accomplished business leader with more than 18 years of experience under his belt. He is skilled at leading cross-functional teams, vendors, and suppliers, and he has a proven track record of increasing revenue, controlling costs, streamlining operations, and building a high-performing team.

Luxbacher has maintained a leadership position in the market throughout his career with active development of many of the industry firsts. In North America, Luxbacher lead teams to introduce some of the first production electric vehicles, new industry ancillary products, and reengineered vehicle reconditioning processes. He continued market leadership in the Middle East by tying up with various startups to introduce new mobility offerings such as Cafu, eKar, and Udrive in the UAE. In Saudi,

Luxbacher has helped position the Sixt brand as the largest owner of electric vehicles in the Kingdom and he has secured strategic partnerships with many of the giga projects to introduce cutting edge mobility services.

James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economic Management from Ohio Wesleyan University Delaware, Ohio and is a Six Sigma Green Belt Certified, QMS ISO 9001.