LEORON Institute has appointed Mariana Ignatov as CEO, KSA and Certified Programs, and Mustafa Al Audib as Chief Financial Officer. The company announced the appointments on 28 June as part of its leadership team in Saudi Arabia.
According to LEORON Institute, the appointments support its long term commitment to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 human capital agenda. The company said the new leadership structure will strengthen its presence in the Kingdom and support its workforce development activities.
Mariana Ignatov takes charge of Saudi Arabia operations
Mariana Ignatov has worked at LEORON Institute for 12 years. She now leads the company’s operations in Saudi Arabia while overseeing its portfolio of more than 400 certified programmes across 17 knowledge areas.
Ignatov is now based full time in Saudi Arabia. She has built her career around workforce capability, professional qualifications and learning solutions across the GCC.
Originally from Skopje, North Macedonia, Ignatov holds a Bachelor’s degree in e Business and a Master’s degree in Project Management from Saints Cyril and Methodius University. She also holds internationally recognised CIPD qualifications and several professional certifications.
According to LEORON Institute, Ignatov played a central role in the company’s regional expansion. She has worked with public and private sector organisations across the Middle East to develop workforce capability, strengthen professional skills and build learning pathways for employees.
Ignatov said Saudi Arabia is seeing growing demand for internationally recognised professional learning. She added that the Kingdom represents more than 80 percent of LEORON Institute’s business and remains central to the company’s long term plans.
“Saudi Arabia is experiencing a profound transformation, and the demand for world class, internationally recognised professional learning has never been greater. As LEORON’s largest market, accounting for more than 80% of our business, the Kingdom plays a pivotal role in our growth and long term vision.”
Mustafa Al Audib joins as Chief Financial Officer
Mustafa Al Audib joins LEORON Institute as Chief Financial Officer with more than 16 years of finance leadership experience.
Before joining the company, Al Audib held senior finance positions at Beiersdorf, Danone, Johnson & Johnson, Unilever and the Digital Cooperation Organisation. LEORON Institute said his experience covers financial transformation, operational excellence and commercial growth across organisations operating in 14 countries across the Middle East and Africa.
Al Audib is a Saudi national and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Finance from the University of Oregon.
His previous responsibilities included leading regional finance operations with profit and loss accountability exceeding €180 million. He also managed finance teams of more than 20 professionals and led ERP transformation projects using SAP and Oracle Fusion platforms.
LEORON Institute said Al Audib has worked with executive teams across FMCG, healthcare, digital commerce and international organisations, including the Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance.
Al Audib said his focus will be on strengthening the company’s financial infrastructure and governance as LEORON Institute continues its growth across Saudi Arabia and the wider region.
“As a Saudi National, I have lived through this country’s transformation and I understand what is at stake for our organisations, our professionals and the next generation of Saudi talent.”
Appointments support LEORON Institute’s Saudi Arabia strategy
LEORON Institute said both appointments reflect its continued investment in Saudi Arabia. The company has operated in the Kingdom for more than a decade and maintains offices in Riyadh and Khobar.
According to the company, LEORON Institute delivers more than 2,000 instructor led programmes each year and trains over 50,000 professionals annually. Its portfolio includes more than 400 certified programmes accredited by over 50 international associations and institutes, including CIPD, ATD, PMI, ISACA and IIA.
The appointments follow LEORON Institute’s partnership with Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and its continued work with government and enterprise organisations across Saudi Arabia.
With Mariana Ignatov leading operations and certified programmes, and Mustafa Al Audib overseeing finance, LEORON Institute said it will continue supporting organisations across the Kingdom through workforce development and professional learning.
