Leadership

Mohammad Al-Mansour

Chairman

An esteemed name in the world of banking and information technology, Mohamed El Mansour brings more than 40 years of experience in the field to his position as Chairman of the Board of Directors of KnowledgeNet, a company he founded in August of 1999. Upon graduating with a master's degree in Computer Science from Western Michigan University in 1979 he carved out an illustrious career path in computer technology with a strong focus on the financial sector. Further studies included an Advanced Management Program at Harvard University and a course in Financial Management for Offshore Banks at Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. Over the course of his career El Mansour has built up impressive industry knowledge and acumen in creating and implementing strategic business plans and policies for the company, managing daily operations, team building, and financial management. His skills in developing the company’s revenues, managing banking operations, reorganizing information technology, business re-engineering, change management, project management and systems development have given him hands-on experience and valuable insight into all levels and dimensions of the role of technology within the banking world. Recognized for exceptional analytical skills and adept human resource management, his leadership qualities have greatly contributed to the rise and ongoing success of KnowledgeNet.

Khaled Al-Mousa

Vice-Chairman

A seasoned banking executive with expertise across a range of financial and business sectors, Khalid Almousa has covered impressive ground since graduating with a degree in business administration from City University in Seattle Washington, USA in 1986. Born in Alahssa, Saudi Arabia, he went on to forge his career path in his home country.

Prior to establishing contracting firm Kaisab Company Ltd in 2004, where he now presides as Chairman, Almousa acted as Corporate Banking Group Manager at Bank Al Jazira, working directly with the Managing Director, a position he held from 2003 to 2004. His area of direct responsibility was Kingdom wide, encompassing Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. During this period, Almousa also sat on the Executive Board Committee, the Credit Committee and the Group Managers Committee, all of which benefited from his considerable business acumen and understanding of the banking world.

Previous experience includes managerial positions with leading financial institution Al Bank Al Saudi Al Fransi, which he joined in 1986. Initially employed as Corporate Banking Relationship Officer, Almousa steadily rose through the ranks, gaining experience in mortgage banking, investment banking, brokerage, private and retail banking. He attained the position of Central Regional Manager, with overall responsibility for corporate, retail and credit banking by 1999, a role that he covered until the end of 2001.

His wealth of experience and broad knowledge of financial procedures and banking place him amongst the ranks of the leading names within the dynamic and highly important business arena.

Abdulrahman Al-Yahia

Board Member

A veteran management and banking professional, Abd Elrahman El Yahya currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Osool and Bakheet Investment Company. Since graduating with a BA in Management with Honors from Central New England College, USA in 1983, he has followed a prestigious career path in the fields of management, investment and treasury in major regional banks in his home country of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Starting his career at Banque Saudi Fransi, El Yahya steadily worked his way up to the position of Head of the Corporate Treasury Department by 1993. He then went on to hold executive positions at Hollandi Bank and The Saudi Investment Bank before co-founding Osoul Capital in 2005, where he held the position of Managing Director. Overseeing the company’s merger with Bakheet Investment Company in 2010, he then took up the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the renamed Osoul Financial Company.

El Yahya also established the first brokerage company, independent of banks, to trade in the Saudi financial market, as well as developing many local and international funds for two local banks in the KSA. In addition to serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) from 2007 to 2016, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Agriculture and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) during the years 2012 to 2016.

Mohammad Attiya

CEO, Knowledgenet

As an active regional player in the technology industry since the early nineties, Attiya is a globally recognized name in the business of technology for financial services. Attiya combines management and sales experience in local and international companies of varying sizes with an almost exclusive industry focus on financial services from 2003, Attiya assumed various executive roles in KnowledgeNet, a regional mission-critical software company until 2011 where he was assigned the CEO role. He also serves as a board member of several leading names in finance and data management, where his vast experience contributes to strengthening the resources of the region. Leveraging his academic background as an alumni of KFUPM and Manchester Business School, as well as his diverse management and sales experience, Attiya demonstrates strong abilities in areas of strategy, product planning, and market penetration. Also, his participation in multi-cultural teams during his career has honed his people leadership skills. His exceptional skills a nd industry knowledge have seen him sought out as speaker at many leading events and he regularly appears on television programs as an expert in his field.

Under his leadership, KnowledgeNet has shown consistent growth, by focusing its product offering in niche areas and adopting extensible strategies for growth on the medium and long term. Attiya is driving the company to be both the leading regional financial services software provider and the leading regional fintech enabler.

Mohamed Maghraby

Chief Products Officer

With more than 30 years’ experience in the IT industry, much of which has been with KnowledgeNet in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohamed Maghraby excels in the areas of product management, services management, application consultancy, business requirement analysis, ERP implementation and software development. His active role in these fields over the course of his career has invested him with specialized skills which enable him to contribute greatly to the growth of the organization on many levels.

Maghraby’s extensive product knowledge spans brokerage management and online trading systems, investment management systems, customer due diligence and KYC solutions, data management solutions and ERP software, all essential tools that contribute to his current role in managing product lines while developing new products based on regional market requirements.

His ability to work equally effectively with teams within the organization, as well as with a diverse customer base, has been significant in building positive relationships which in turn serve as a stepping stone to growth and development. A sound knowledge of management principles further cements the professional acumen he has brought to the table since graduating from Ain Shams University with a bachelor’s degree in Commerce in 1983. Further postgraduate studies at Cairo University in Computer Science & Information Systems with the Institute of Statistical Studies and Research (ISSR) have enabled Maghraby to extend his industry knowledge and keep him abreast of developments in this vital field.

Mohamed Zaytoun

Chief Strategy Officer

With a strong vision and exceptional expertise in the Information Technology Industry, Mohamed Zaytoun has managed software products and business operations in KnowledgeNet, LLC for over 20 years. As a Strategy Officer, he has played a substantial role in developing business and ensuring company growth and profitability in the most significant three countries; Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt.

Zaytoun holds extensive experience and an established track record in business analysis and software project management. As a previous director of product development, he embraces a wealth of knowledge and hands-on skills in Business processes, Databases, Software Design, Solution Architecture/Selling, IT Strategy and Service Management.

Zaytoun is an outstanding team leader who has successfully led and mentored hundreds of young professionals to deliver premium software products and services since his graduation from Suez Canal University and throughout his inspiring career path.

Ahmed Semary

CEO Deputy

Bringing a wealth of experience to the table, Ahmed Semary has a solid grounding in the field of information technology. Since graduating with a bachelor's degree in computer science from Sadat Academy of Management Science in 1998, his career path has seen him hold responsible positions in leading companies in the field. His role has encompassed Customer Relations Development, Sales Operations and Business Development, equipping him for the management of a dynamic company in the digital world.

Semary’s involvement in many levels of the sales process over the past 20 years, along with exceptional technical knowledge, allows him exceptional insight into the dynamics of the fast-moving industry. Since joining KN in 2005, his hands-on experience in team management has also been key to his success in guiding the company on a progressive path that constantly stays abreast of new developments in the industry. Coupled with his natural ability to recognize talent in his team, while assisting the development of new skills, his managerial acumen has quickly established him as an inspirational and competent leader who has the vision to expand KN to new levels.

Abdulaziz Albakr Biography

Chief Business Officer

Abdulaziz Albakr is currently serving as the Chief Business Officer of KnowledgeNet, where he brings over 20 years of experience as a CEO, entrepreneur, and executive. He is a highly regarded business leader specializing in digital transformation and company turnaround, with extensive knowledge and expertise in managing large-scale, multinational businesses. Abdulaziz has a successful track record in operations, strategy, information technology, business development, program management, risk management, digital transformation, and corporate finance.

In 2009, Abdulaziz was recognized as the Young CEO of the Year by Arabian Business. Abdulaziz received the Ministry of Water & Electricity Award for successful participation in Digital Transformation Project. With unmatched experience in consultancy and organizational transformation, he managed to handle large mega-projects across different industries, such as Saline Water Conversion Corporation SWCC, the most extensive desalination in the world, and the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).

He is focused on developing innovative businesses with a social impact, utilizing his experience in the international market and knowledge in management and IT consultancy. Throughout his career, Abdulaziz has worked on projects covering various industries such as retail, oil and gas, utilities, power generation, the public sector, aviation, aerospace, and more.

As the CEO of KnowledgeNet, Abdulaziz brings a dynamic and influential leadership style, excelling at managing diverse teams and navigating conflicting demands to drive organizational performance. He holds an MBA from the London Business School, a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Kingston University in the UK, and a degree from KSU in Saudi Arabia. His skills include consulting, digital transformation, organizational transformation, company turnaround, and entrepreneurship. Abdulaziz is fluent in Arabic and English and has lived and worked in countries such as Saudi Arabia, the USA, the UAE, and the UK.