Zain Iraq, the country's leading mobile operator, announces the promotion and appointment of Ali Al-Zahid as CEO of the company, effective February 1, 2017. An Austrian national with Iraqi roots, Al-Zahid most recently held the position of chief commercial officer of Zain Iraq, which he assumed in June 2015 having joined the organization as Director of Sales in September 2013.
Al-Zahid brings 17 years of extensive experience with international telecom operators including Orange Austria, O2 Germany (Telefonica), and Zain Iraq to his new role. He also has experience in management consultancy, working with two European-based firms for five years. Al-Zahid combines broad and in-depth experience in organizational leadership and development, brand, marketing and commercial strategies in fast growing telecom markets across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Commenting on the appointment, the chairman of Zain Iraq, Mohammed Al Charchafchi said: "It is a pleasure to promote a young talented leader with Iraqi heritage to the role of CEO at an important stage of Zain Iraq's evolution. Over the last three years he has played a vital role within the senior management ranks and proven to be a very capable professional, exceeding expectations on multiple fronts. We have the utmost confidence that Ali Al-Zahid has the right skill-sets and leadership qualities to take the operation to next phase of growth."
The Chairman continued: "The key shareholders and board of directors of Zain Iraq are committed to the continual investment and expansion of the 3G mobile network in providing vital telecommunications services to the communities we serve, playing our fundamental role in the economic and social development of the country."
Zain Group CEO, Scott Gegenheimer commented: "Ali Al-Zahid has an outstanding track record in one of Zain's most complex and challenging emerging markets. He has a strong background in mobile technology, strategy and management, and in exploiting commercial data-related opportunities. Thus I share the chairman's confidence that he is a good fit to take Zain Iraq to the next stage of the company's development to enhance customer experience and solidifying Zain Iraq's market leadership."
Gegenheimer continued: "It is also a particular pleasure to promote an existing Zain talent, who has an impressive and successful track record to a senior position in one of our key markets, fulfilling our Group-wide human resources policy of capitalizing on and promoting our talented leaders from within."
Ali Al-Zahid graduated with a MSc in Management & Communication, from Danube University Krems (Austria) in 2004 and is currently part of the TRIUM Global Executive MBA with the London School of Economics, HEC Paris and NYU Stern.