Barclays has appointed Majed Al Hassoun as Chief Executive Officer and Head of Investment Banking for Barclays Capital Saudi Arabia. The appointment coincides with the opening of the bank’s new office in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD).
Al Hassoun will lead the local legal entity and oversee the expansion of Barclays’ investment banking and global markets business. He will also manage relationships with corporate, government and institutional clients.
Majed Al Hassoun brings over 20 years of banking experience
Al Hassoun joins Barclays from State Street Saudi Arabia, where he served as Chief Executive Officer. He brings more than 20 years of experience in financial services and investment banking.
Earlier in his career, Al Hassoun held leadership positions at Citigroup and Saudi Fransi Capital. His appointment places an experienced financial services executive at the head of Barclays’ Saudi Arabian operations.
Based in Riyadh, Al Hassoun will draw on Barclays’ global advisory and capital markets capabilities. He will report to Khaled El Dabag, CEO of Barclays’ regional headquarters, Co-CEO and Head of Investment Banking for the Middle East.
Barclays appoints senior leaders across Saudi Arabia
Alongside Al Hassoun’s appointment, Barclays has named several executives to senior positions in its Saudi Arabian business.
Abdulaziz Abdulrahman A. Alshenaifi will serve as Head of Markets. Abdullah Al Toukhi will lead Institutional Coverage, while Susheel Jain joins as Chief Financial Officer.
The bank has also appointed Abdulrahman Alanazi as Head of Compliance and Money Laundering Reporting Officer.
These appointments follow the selection of Mohammed Al-Sarhan as Independent Non-Executive Chairman of Barclays Capital Saudi Arabia. Talal AlKhereiji has also joined the board as an Independent Non-Executive Director.
Together, the appointments establish senior leadership across the bank’s executive, markets, institutional coverage, finance and compliance functions in Saudi Arabia.
Barclays expands investment banking operations in Riyadh
Barclays opened its new Riyadh office following regulatory approval from Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority (CMA). The CMA granted the bank an operational licence to conduct investment banking and global markets activities.
The bank had secured a Regional Headquarters (RHQ) licence in 2025. The latest approval supports its expanded operations in the Kingdom.
Barclays plans to develop its advisory, financing and capital markets activities through its local presence. The Riyadh team will serve corporate, government and institutional clients.
C. S. Venkatakrishnan, Group Chief Executive of Barclays, said the new office strengthens the bank’s ability to support clients in Saudi Arabia. He also highlighted the importance of regional talent in the bank’s expansion.
“By investing in regional talent, we continue to deepen our presence and reaffirm our commitment to Saudi Arabia’s future,” Venkatakrishnan said.
Saudi Arabia remains central to Barclays’ Middle East strategy
Barclays identifies Saudi Arabia as a key market in its Middle East strategy. The bank points to the Kingdom’s economic transformation and capital market development under Vision 2030.
Its wider Middle East operations include investment banking, markets and private banking platforms. The bank also provides wealth management services through these businesses.
Al Hassoun said he would focus on developing Barclays’ business and strengthening relationships with clients and stakeholders in Saudi Arabia.
“Our presence in Riyadh complements Barclays’ well-established Middle East franchise and I look forward to drawing on that regional depth as we deepen relationships with our clients and stakeholders and strengthen the way we support their growth ambitions,” he said.
Barclays’ Riyadh expansion brings together new regulatory permissions, a local office and a wider senior leadership team. Al Hassoun will lead the Saudi Arabian business as the bank develops its investment banking and global markets operations in the Kingdom.
