Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi (Arabic: بدر ناصر الخرافي; born 17 August 1977) is a businessman from Kuwait. He holds the positions of Vice Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer at Zain Group, a telecommunications company based in Kuwait.[1][2][3]

Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi
بدر ناصر الخرافي
Al-Kharafi in 2017
Born
Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi

(1977-08-17) 17 August 1977 (age 47)
NationalityKuwaiti
Alma materKuwait University, London Business School
Occupation(s)Vice Chairman & CEO
Zain Group
Children2
ParentNasser Al-Kharafi
Websitehttps://www.zain.com/ar/

In 2018, he was ranked as one of the 100 most influential Arabs list by Arabian Business.[4][5]

Early life and education

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Al-Kharafi was born on 17 August 1977. He received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Kuwait University in 2002. In 2016, he completed his MBA from London Business School.[5]

Career

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After graduation, Al-Kharafi joined Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC). He joined M.A & Al-Kharafi group in 2002 and started working as a Coordination Engineer.[6] He currently holds senior management positions at Gulf Bank of Kuwait, Foulath Holding, Diamond International Motors, and Gulf Cable & Electrical Industries.[7]

After the death of his father, Nasser Al-Kharafi, he assumed the directorship of the Al Kharafi groups' executive committee in 2012.[8]

In early 2014, he joined the Middle East Advisory Board of Coutts.[9][10] In the same year, Zain KSA, a subsidiary of Zain Group appointed Al-Kharafi as its Vice Chairman.[11]

In 2017, Al-Kharafi became the CEO of Zain Group, replacing the Scott Gegenheimer.[12]

In February 2019, he became the Chairman of the Board of the Executive Committee and a member of the Board of Nomination and Remuneration Committee of Boursa Kuwait, the country's stock exchange.[13]

In September 2019, BNK Automotive, owned by Al-Kharafi, entered into a new agency agreement with Volvo, making it the exclusive importer of Volvo Cars in Kuwait.[14] In November 2019, Al-Kharafi acquired a controlling interest in Gulf Cable, securing 29 percent of the company's shares in a deal valued at approximately US$500 million.[15][16]

Awards and recognition

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  • In 2014, Al-Kharafi has been featured in the World's 100 Most Powerful Arabs 2014 by Gulf Business.[3][17]
  • In 2015, Al-Kharafi ranked as one of the Most Powerful Young Arabs Under 40 in Arabian Business.[18]
  • In 2017 and 2018, Al-Kharafi was listed in the 100 World's Most Influential Arabs feature by Arabian Business.[19][4]

Philanthropy

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Al-Kharafi is associated with Kuwait Food Bank which is involved in providing nutritious meals to the poor in Kuwait and creating public awareness on lessening food waste.[20][21] More than 5,700 Kuwaiti families are said to have benefited from this initiative.[22] The food bank also provides skills and training to the members of poor families so that they can find decent employment in Kuwait.[23][24]

He offers support and guidance to Kuwaiti youth through INJAZ Kuwait.[25]

Additionally, the recent launch of WE ABLE in the year 2019, Al-Kharafi is leading Zain's Disability Inclusion Program which aims to position Zain Group as Disability Inclusive by 2022.[26][27][28]

References

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  1. ^ "ZAIN.KW Company Profile & Executives - Mobile Telecommunications Co. (MTC) K.S.C." The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  2. ^ "A man on a mission: Bader Nasser Al Kharafi". ArabianBusiness.com. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Changemakers Bader Nasser Al Kharafi". London Business School. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  4. ^ a b "100.Most.Powerful.Arabs.2018-01-Bader Al-Kharafi". ArabianBusiness.com. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  5. ^ a b Salihovic, Elnur (5 October 2015). Major Players in the Muslim Business World. Universal-Publishers. ISBN 978-1-62734-052-6.
  6. ^ "Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi - Vice Chairman & Group CEO, Zain Group". itp.net. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  7. ^ "Journey to the Future". The Business Year. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  8. ^ East, Forbes Middle. "The Man Using His Influence To Empower Kuwait's Youth". Forbes ME. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  9. ^ "Coutts expands Middle East advisory board". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Coutts Further Expands Middle East Advisory Board with three appointments". www.zawya.com. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  11. ^ "Zain to sell 2,600 towers in Jordan for $88m". www.capacitymedia.com. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  12. ^ Sharma, Ray. "Bader Al-Kharafi Takes Over as CEO of Zain Group". www.thefastmode.com. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  13. ^ "History made as Al-Kharafi and Al-Bahar consortium takes equity stake in Boursa Kuwait". Kuwait Times. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  14. ^ "Volvo Cars changes hands from Al-Mutawa to Al-Kharafi". Kuwait Times. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  15. ^ "Bader Al-Kharafi acquires 29% of Gulf Cable Co worth $500m". Kuwait Times. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  16. ^ "Al Kharafi buys KWD 33m stake in Gulf Cable". english.mubasher.info. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  17. ^ "Top 100 Powerful Arabs 2014". Gulf Business. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  18. ^ "The 100 Most Powerful Arabs Under 40". Arabian Business. 19 April 2015. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021.
  19. ^ "40 and Under 2017: Bader Nasser Al Kharafi". ArabianBusiness.com. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  20. ^ Kharafi, Bader Nasser Al (2019). "There's just no point without purpose". London Business School Review. 30 (1): 8–9. doi:10.1111/2057-1615.12269. ISSN 2057-1615.
  21. ^ "KUNA : Kuwait Food Bank launches campaign for families in need - Human - 19/10/2021". www.kuna.net.kw. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  22. ^ "Food Bank to support over 5,700 families: Al-Kharafi". Kuwait Times. 22 March 2017. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  23. ^ "Kuwait Food Bank, KASCO join hands to help needy families | Kuwait Times". news.kuwaittimes.net. 31 July 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  24. ^ https://www.pressreader.com/kuwait/kuwait-times/20150421/283107067557856. Retrieved 19 February 2020 – via PressReader. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ^ East, Forbes Middle. "A New Vision". Forbes ME. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  26. ^ "Zain Group launches disability inclusion initiative 'We Able'" (PDF). Arab Times. 8 July 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  27. ^ "Zain Group launches disability initiative". www.telecompaper.com. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  28. ^ "Inclusion of persons with special needs in Zain Group". WEEPortal. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2020.