Saeed M. Al-Ghamdi is managing director and CEO of the new bank that resulted from the merger between the National Commercial Bank (NCB) and the Samba Financial Group.
Before that, he was chairman of the NCB, building up more than 31 years of experience in leading positions in the Saudi financial and banking sector. He was appointed as chairman in May 2018 to lead a new era of achievements and transformation for the bank.
Al-Ghamdi served as CEO and board member of the NCB from 2013 to 2018. He led the NCB to the forefront of the Saudi Arabian banking industry for five consecutive years by driving digital transformation across the organization, developing the company’s business model and optimizing its operational efficiency to make it a leading financial institution in the Kingdom.
He has also been chairman of NCB Capital and the Saudi Credit Bureau. He serves on the board of the Real Estate General Authority and Misk Foundation and is a member of the consultative board of the College of Industrial Management at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.
He began his career at the Ministry of Defense and Aviation where he served as a computer engineer. Al-Ghamdi later moved into the banking industry and began a new career with Al-Rajhi Bank 1991, assuming several positions, including chief information officer, chief operating officer, general manager of the Retail Banking Group and vice president of the bank.
Before joining NCB, Al-Ghamdi worked as an adviser to the Governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, and was an adviser to the chairman of the board of directors of the NCB. He has also held a number of board memberships in Saudi Arabia and abroad during his career.
Al-Ghamdi holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from King Fahd University of
Petroleum and Minerals.
Saeed M. Al-Ghamdi, CEO and MD of the newly formed bank following the merger of NCB and Samba
https://arab.news/26wqw
Saeed M. Al-Ghamdi, CEO and MD of the newly formed bank following the merger of NCB and Samba
Najran’s camels are embedded in local culture and traditions
- Several distinct camel breeds are found in the region
- Animals permeate Arab consciousness, says expert
RIYADH: In Najran, camels are not only a vital livestock resource but also a cornerstone of local identity and tradition.
According to Hadi Benyan Al-Amer, head of Najran’s Camel Association, the region has several distinct camel breeds.
Principal among them is the Awarik, an ancient Arabian lineage linked to territories where arak trees flourish, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
These light-colored, sparsely-haired camels possess remarkable resilience, and are prevalent across southern Arabia.
The Majahim are characterized by dark hues spanning black to brown, and excel in both milk yield and endurance.
The Asayil are prized for their sleek, lean physiques, and dominate in speed-based competitions.
Al-Amer said traditional water sources known as Odood, or traditional water wells and artesian wells, have sustained herders navigating the Empty Quarter’s grazing lands for generations.
These permanent water points, equipped with dedicated drinking basins for camels, showcase the animals’ extraordinary environmental resilience.
Among the principal wells accessible from Najran are Al-Minkhali, Abu Shadid, Hamra Nathil, Tamani, Umm Al-Wahat, and Khujaima.
Countless additional wells dot the Empty Quarter and adjacent territories, forming the backbone of camel owners’ far-reaching pastoral networks.
Dr. Hind bint Dawood Al-Shuqair of Najran University’s Arabic Language Department explained how camels have permeated Arab consciousness through legends and stories spanning thousands of years.
Representing endurance, power, and grace, they have become inseparable from Arab cultural identity.
Archaeological evidence at Al-Ukhdood, Mount Al-Tharwa and Hima, preserves through carvings and ancient artwork the deep bond between people and camels, Al-Shuqair said.
She drew attention to Saudi Arabia’s substantial investment in camel heritage, exemplified by proclaiming 2024 as the Year of the Camel.
This designation emphasizes their importance to national prosperity and cultural heritage while backing global initiatives to promote awareness of camels as valuable economic and cultural assets.
The Kingdom further demonstrates its commitment to protecting the animals through the annual King Abdulaziz Festival, the SPA reported.
