Who’s Who: Dr. Abdullah Hamad Mohammed Al-Fozan, chairman of KPMG in Saudi Arabia

Dr. Abdullah Hamad Mohammed Al-Foza
Short Url
Updated 09 September 2021
Follow

Who’s Who: Dr. Abdullah Hamad Mohammed Al-Fozan, chairman of KPMG in Saudi Arabia

Dr. Abdullah Hamad Mohammed Al-Fozan is chairman of KPMG in Saudi Arabia. He also chairs the firm’s operations in Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq as part of the Levant cluster.

He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from King Saud University and holds an MBA from the École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées in Paris and the University of Edinburgh.

For his doctorate in business administration from the UK’s Nottingham Trent University, he wrote his thesis on “Unemployment and Saudization in the private sector,” addressing the impact of government labor policies in Saudi Arabia on creating job opportunities in the private sector and reducing unemployment.

Since becoming a managing partner for the Riyadh office in 2000, he drew on his expertise to make significant strides toward nationalization programs and developing national talents.

Under his guidance, KPMG increased the nationalization rate from 7 percent upon his arrival to 42 percent in 2020, with strategies in place for stronger growth in the years to come.

Al-Fozan held the chairmanship of KPMG’s Middle East and South Asia board of directors from 2014 to 2018 and was also a member of the board of directors of KPMG International, both highly regarded positions in the global company that is home to more than 220,000 employees across over 150 countries.

Under his leadership, KPMG became the first professional services company in the Kingdom to transform from a partnership into a joint-stock company, enabling the audit, tax and advisory firm to expand across Saudi Arabia and the regional market.

Before joining KPMG, Al-Fozan was associated with the Saudi Industrial Development Fund for eight years.


Red Sea Global unveils scientific model for regenerative tourism worldwide

Updated 26 February 2026
Follow

Red Sea Global unveils scientific model for regenerative tourism worldwide

  • The report details the model’s rollout at “The Red Sea” and “AMAALA” destinations, backed by studies covering 8 marine habitats

TABUK: Red Sea Global (RSG) has unveiled a science-based model aimed at achieving a 30% net positive conservation benefit across its tourism destinations by 2040. 

The framework is now available for global adoption, according to a statement released by RSG.

Owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Red Sea Global is the multi-project developer behind ambitious regenerative tourism destinations like “The Red Sea” and “AMAALA.” 

As a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, the company aims to diversify the national economy while setting new global benchmarks for sustainable, nature-positive development.

CEO John Pagano stated that openly sharing this detailed approach will help elevate the global tourism sector and secure a healthier environment for future generations.
 

Map showing the boundaries of the Red Sea Zone. (Graphic from the RSG report)

The cornerstone of this initiative is the proprietary SIIG Model, a four-step framework:
• Survey: Establish biodiversity baselines and monitor long-term changes.
• Identify: Assess risks to priority habitats and species.
• Intervene: Execute evidence-based actions, such as regulating fishing and enhancing natural habitats.
• Gain: Measure and verify biodiversity improvements.

The report details the model’s rollout at “The Red Sea” and “AMAALA” destinations, backed by extensive 2022–2023 environmental baseline studies covering eight marine habitats and priority species groups during 2022 and 2023. 

A major intervention is the 5,015-square-kilometer Fishery Management Area in Al-Wajh Lagoon. The plan reserves 38% of the area for priority conservation—protecting 62% of local coral reefs—while allocating 61% for sustainable fishing.

According to scientific modeling, eliminating fishing in high-protection zones could increase reef fish populations by 113%, sharks and rays by 72%, and marine mammals by 24%. These measures are expected to boost coral resilience, support ecosystem recovery, and protect vulnerable species like sea turtles and seabirds.
Ihab Kindi, RSG’s Red Sea Destination Executive Director, called the data-driven model a practical roadmap for large-scale marine recovery. The complete methodology is available in the new report, “The SIIG Model: A Roadmap Toward Achieving Measurable Conservation Gains.”