10/04/2026 02:10 AST
Two Public Investment Fund (PIF)-backed companies, Neo Space Group (NSG) and Alat, have appointed Saudi executives to lead their next phase of growth.
NSG announced the appointment of Eng. Haithem Alfaraj as Chief Executive Officer, effective April 9, 2026, succeeding Martijn Blanken, who has led the company since its inception.
Alfaraj brings more than two decades of experience in telecommunications and technology. He most recently served as Group Chief Technology Officer at stc, where he led major transformation initiatives including network modernization, digital platform development, cloud adoption, and cybersecurity capabilities.
Earlier in his career, he held senior roles at Mobily and began his professional journey at Saudi Aramco. He is also a member of the GSMA Technology Group Board and serves on the Board of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), a partnership between KACST and the World Economic Forum.
Launched by PIF in May 2024, NSG aims to establish a national space champion and accelerate the development of Saudi Arabia's space economy. The company has built a multi-domain platform through acquisitions including Taqnia ETS, UP42, and Display Interactive, alongside capabilities in geospatial and earth observation, satellite communications, and in-flight connectivity.
Separately, Alat has appointed Dr. Muhammad Nasser Aldawood as Acting Chief Executive Officer, replacing founding CEO Amit Midha, according to the company's executive leadership listing.
Dr. Aldawood brings extensive leadership experience from PIF, where he serves as Head of the Industrials and Mining Section within MENA Investments, overseeing strategic investments across key industrial sectors.
He previously worked at Boston Consulting Group, Passport Capital, and Careem, and currently serves as chairman of Dussur, Qassim Cement Company, and Arabian Drilling Company, in addition to holding board positions across several industrial firms.
Alat was launched in February 2024 to establish a global sustainable technology manufacturing hub in Saudi Arabia, focusing on advanced industrials and electronics. The company targets more than 30 product categories across sectors including semiconductors, robotics, communications systems, healthcare technologies, and heavy machinery.
Saudi Gazette
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