Who’s Who: Mohanad Al-Shaikh, CEO of Johnson Controls Arabia

Mohanad Al-Shaikh
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Updated 24 November 2022
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Who’s Who: Mohanad Al-Shaikh, CEO of Johnson Controls Arabia

Mohanad Al-Shaikh has been CEO of Johnson Controls Arabia since 2014, and has been driving the company’s expansion to include Egypt, Lebanon and Yemen.

As CEO of a leading company in building sustainability, Al-Shaikh has enacted programs to recruit Saudi women in production lines, and bridge the gap between colleges and universities and the private sector.

He also launched a “Serve Your Community” initiative that allows employees to serve the community during one paid day a month.

Al-Shaikh has expanded product offerings to include not only HVAC products, but also fire and security systems, building management systems and energy solutions.

Under his leadership JCI Arabia has expanded to countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, Bahrain and Yemen, with exports increasing to 30 percent of total production. New key business lines have been launched, including navy and marine, energy audit and fire systems.

Al-Shaikh led the company’s manufacturing transformation by opening York’s largest manufacturing complex in the MENA region in King Abdullah Economic City. It is the only factory among Johnson Controls’ 50-plus factories worldwide to have manufacturing and R&D labs in one location. 

Previously, Al-Shaikh held the role of director of operations in the company in 2010, where he was responsible for its day-to-day operations, including recruitment, IT, strategy, marketing and customer relationships.

Al-Shaikh holds a bachelor’s degree in international finance, a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in information systems, and a doctorate in engineering in information technology. He completed executive education programs in science and technology, innovation, and international business.

He currently serves as a board member in various companies and NGOs, including on the manufacturing committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce, the Saudi Company for District Cooling, the Saudi-American Business Committee, Jeddah’s Outstanding Teachersِ Association, and the Advisory Council for College of Engineering at the University of Business Technology.

Al-Shaikh is also a board member of the Association for Distinguished Initiatives in Social Responsibility, as well as the executive committee of the Association of Neighborhood Centers. 

He is the co-founder of Sand, a charity for children with cancer, and is the deputy chairman of the Tarmeem Charitable Foundation.


Najran’s camels are embedded in local culture and traditions

Camels are not only a vital livestock resource in Najran, but also a cornerstone of local identity and tradition. (SPA)
Updated 25 December 2025
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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.