Abdelelah Salem Bin Mahfouz

Abdelelah Salem Bin Mahfouz is Vice Chairman of SEDCO Holding and SEDCO Capital, and Chairman of the Board at Methak Investment Holding. He is a member of the prominent Bin Mahfouz family, which has played a pivotal role in Saudi Arabia's financial and business landscape for nearly five decades. His father, Sheikh Salem Bin Mahfouz, was a legendary figure in Saudi banking who overcame an impoverished childhood to found the National Commercial Bank (NCB) in 1953, which grew to become the Middle East's largest financial institution and is now known as the Saudi National Bank.

Abdelelah graduated from The Ohio State University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. He began his career that same year at NCB, where he worked for 15 years. From 1980 to 1990, he served as Deputy General Manager and Regional Manager for Riyadh at NCB, gaining extensive experience in banking operations and regional management.

When Sheikh Salem passed away in 1994, his estate was inherited by his widow, five sons (including Abdelelah), and seven daughters. The family established SEDCO (Saudi Economic and Development Company) in 1976 as a trading and contracting company, which was transformed in 1996 into a family office dedicated to managing the Bin Mahfouz family's assets and Sheikh Salem's endowment. Abdelelah and his brothers Mohammed, Saleh, and Ahmed formed the first SEDCO Board of Directors in 1996, with Mohammed serving as Chairman and Abdelelah, Saleh, and Ahmed as Board members. Together, they set new strategies for growth and progress that would guide SEDCO's evolution over the following decades.

From 1997 to 2006, Abdelelah served as Managing Director of SEDCO Financial Investments Group, overseeing the family office's investment activities during a critical period of expansion. When SEDCO Capital was established as a stand-alone regulated asset management entity in March 2009 (spun out from the family office to serve institutional clients, families, and high-net-worth individuals), Abdelelah chaired its board from inception in 2010 until 2017. During his tenure, SEDCO Capital became the first Saudi and Shariah-compliant asset manager to sign the United Nations' Principles of Responsible Investing (UNPRI) in 2014, demonstrating leadership in ESG and responsible investing.

Today, Abdelelah continues to serve as Vice Chairman of SEDCO Holding and SEDCO Capital, working alongside his nephew Yaser Binmahfouz (Executive Chairman) and other family members including Ghazal Binmahfouz and Badr Binmahfouz. He also chairs the Salem Bin Mahfouz Foundation (SBMF), a nonprofit organization focused on qualitative grants in education, empowerment, and community development. His role as Chairman of the Board at Methak Investment Holding represents another key family investment vehicle.

As Vice Chairman of SEDCO Holding and SEDCO Capital, Abdelelah oversees investments guided by five core values: Stewardship, Integrity, Partnership mindset, People orientation, and Impact. SEDCO operates as a values-driven institutional investor focused on Shariah-compliant investments, sustainability, and collaborative growth. The organization's investment philosophy emphasizes maximum value through focused investments while maintaining exemplary corporate governance standards.

Investment Focus Areas:

Investment Philosophy: SEDCO's approach emphasizes long-term value creation, ethical investing aligned with Islamic principles, and investments that contribute to Saudi Arabia's economic diversification. The firm seeks to partner with businesses that demonstrate strong governance, sustainable practices, and potential for significant impact. As of 2022, SEDCO transitioned to an active financial investor model with two core pillars: Domestic Investment and Real Estate.

• Real Estate Development: Strategic properties including commercial centers, hospitality assets, and mixed-use developments
• Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals: Major stakes in leading healthcare providers and pharmacy chains
• Hospitality & Travel: Hotel and tourism sector investments aligned with Saudi Vision 2030
• Asset Management: Diversified portfolios targeting income-generating and growth-potential assets
• Private Equity: Growth investments in mid-market, high-growth companies across Americas, Europe, and Asia
• Shariah-Compliant Fixed Income: High credit grade securities and income-generating assets including leasing and infrastructure

Current Positions:

Previous Leadership:

• Vice Chairman, SEDCO Holding Co.
• Vice Chairman, Saudi Economic & Development Co. Ltd.
• Chairman of the Board, Methak Investment Holding
• Chairman, Salem Bin Mahfouz Foundation
• Non-Executive Director, Nahdi Medical Company (since December 2020)
• Director, Al Mehwar Investment Holding Co.
• Board Member, Al Mahmal Facilities Services
• Board Member, Middle East Specialized Cables Co.
• Board Member, Yanbu Cement Co.
• Chairman, SEDCO Capital Board of Directors (2010-2017)
• Managing Director, SEDCO Financial Investments Group (1997-2006)
• Deputy General Manager & Regional Manager for Riyadh, National Commercial Bank (1980-1990)