Batelco

Rashid Abdulla has been Chief Executive for Batelco Bahrain since January 2011, having held the position of Managing Director of Qualitynet, Batelco's sister operation in Kuwait, since 2000. During his 10 year tenure at Qualitynet, Rashid helped to turn the company into a highly profitable and customer focused organisation recognised as the leading internet and Data Communications Company in Kuwait. Rashid has been in the telecommunications business for 30 years, beginning his career as a student in 1979 with Batelco's former shareholder, Cable & Wireless and training at their Telecommunications College in the UK. He later attended Thames Polytechnic, UK, from where he graduated with a BSc (hons) in Electrical & Electronics Engineering. A long and illustrious career has seen Rashid gain experience in various aspects of Batelco's operations, holding management and general management roles from 1986 onwards. Among the roles he has held are General Manager Major Accounts and General Manager of New Business Development. He was instrumental in the delivery of a number of major achievements over the past 26 years including the launch of Internet Services in 1995, which remains as one of Batelco's most significant and far reaching accomplishments. Rashid, who is supported by a strong team of experienced General Managers at Batelco Bahrain, has all the credentials necessary to lead and grow Batelco in Bahrain's competitive marketplace.

Faisal Qamhiyah was appointed as Chief Financial Officer - Bahrain in January 2013. Prior to joining the team at Batelco, Faisal held the role of CFO at Umniah, Batelco’s sister operation in Jordan from June to December 2012. He brings a wealth of experience with unique mixes of commercial and financial hands-on proven experience coupled with passion toward the telecom industry. Faisal had served with distinction as advisor to the Board of Directors, CEO, CFO, COO and as Marketable Secuties Fund Manager in various companies. He held a number of roles at Zain Jordan including the positions Finance Director / CFO, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Operating Officer. His experience also includes the role of Group Internal Auditor EDGO Group and Investments Director / Capital Markets at Earn Capital.

Faisal holds a BA in Economics & Accounting from Yarmouk University Jordan, USA and a CPA from Delaware USA. He also completed the Executive Development Programme (EDP) at Kellogg School of Management, Chicago USA and various executive leadership programmes at prestigious institutes including the Harvard Business School and London Business School. Faisal is Co-founder and Board of Directors’ member of Jordan Association of Management Accountants (JAMA).

Muna Al Hashemi has risen through the ranks at Batelco, having joined the Company in 1994. With a Masters degree in Telecommunications and a BSc in Electronic Engineering, Muna began her career in the Engineering Department and gained invaluable experience as she progressed through a number of divisions, including Customer Services, Accounts, Product Marketing, Product Development and Customer Marketing. The depth of knowledge of various functional units and processes that Muna has gained in her diverse roles has prepared her well for her current challenging task of heading up the busy Consumer Division.

Adel Daylami is responsible for the delivery of relevant products and services for Batelco’s business customers and ensuring round the clock support in order for them to operate their businesses seamlessly and efficiently. Since joining Batelco in 1989 he has held various roles including Head of Fixed Services, Senior Manager Business Product portfolio, Director International Operation & Business Marketing, CEO Batelco Jordan, acting GM Business Sales & Products and GM Product & Services Division. Adel was a key player in setting up Broadband Bahrain and ICT & Network Rationalisation Strategies. Among many key achievements, he managed, launched and successfully implemented Batelco’s Internet Services from its concept stage through to establishing its current exceptional user base. Mr. Daylami holds a Master’s in Business Administration, Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing and a BSc in Electrical & Electronics Engineering.

Suhaila Al Nowakhda, who joined Batelco in 1992 as a Management Services Analyst, completed a BSC from U.O.B while holding down her full time job. In 1998, she was transferred to the Remuneration & Benefits Department where she built up a wide experience in HR policies and procedures before completing a Postgraduate Diploma from Sheffield Hallam University, UK, in 2005. Since 2005, Suhaila has held a number of senior roles in the HR Department including Senior Manager HR Bahrain with the responsibility for Recruitment & Manpower, HR Operations & Systems, HR Policies & Reviews, Industrial Relations, and Buildings Projects & Support. In her role as GM of Human Resources Bahrain, Suhaila has full responsibility for all HR issues for the Bahrain Operation.

Hamza Ali was appointed as General Manager Strategy and Business Development in March 2012. The new Strategy and Business Development unit, which was formed in line with Batelco’s 2012 to 2016 strategy, is responsible for proactively monitoring changing market needs and developing new business opportunities to grow Batelco’s business in the long term. Prior to this role, Hamza held the post of GM Wholesale & Carrier Relations from January 2011.

Having entered Batelco’s Maritime Operating Centre as an Administrative Supervisor in 1987 Hamza’s dedication and commitment led to a continuous trend of growth and promotion leading to his first senior management role as Senior Manager, Voice Products & Services in 2000. Hamza also gained international experience along the way with a secondment posting as Marketing Director of Batelco’s sister company, Umniah, from 2006 to 2008. On his return to HQ, he was assigned the role of General Manager Product Development & Strategy at the beginning of 2009 where he was responsible for major product development & strategy formulation across the Mobile, Fixed, Internet and Datacoms product portfolio. Hamza completed an MBA from the University of Hull UK and completed The Gulf Executive Development Programme with The Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, USA, while holding down full time posts at Batelco.

Nadia Hussain, who joined Batelco in April 2008, has held the roles of General Manager Corporate Affairs followed by Group Business Planning & Strategy, before taking over the role of Group General Manager Government Relations, in June 2010. In her Government Relations role, Nadia takes on the challenge of liaising with different Government entities with regard to Telecommunications policies as well as forwarding Batelco’s views and initiatives in supporting the Telecommunications Sector. Prior to joining Batelco, Nadia had gained experience in a number of fields including Finance, Banking, Aviation and Telecoms Regulation. She held senior executive positions including being the first lady branch manager in the banking sector of the Kingdom, CFO of Sabre International and Board Secretary of the Telecoms Regulator in Bahrain in addition to her role as Director of Finance & HR. Nadia is a BECOM graduate from Hilwan University in Cairo. Her academic qualifications include courses in finance, business strategies and planning as well as legal.

Dr. Abdulla Althawadi joined Batelco as a Technical Trainee in 1989 and completed his BSc, Masters and PhD Masters Degree while combining work and study. He has risen through the ranks at Batelco, holding various senior roles including Manager Network Development, senior manager NGN core networks, senior manager presales and solutions, GM networks and also the role of GM Enterprise Division & Government Business prior to taking on the role of General Manager Business Continuity & Information Security Management in May 2011. Dr Abdulla’s comprehensive experience and knowledge gained over the years in a variety of roles qualify him well to lead the Business Continuity Division which focuses on business continuity, information security, crisis management and process efficiency improvement.

Ali Mustafa was appointed to the role of Senior Manager of Batelco’s Wholesale & Carrier Relations Division in March 2012, taking on the responsibility to lead the division’s activities which include development and management of relevant products and services and providing round the clock support for Bahrain’s licenced operators in addition to planning international capacity for international communication services to ensure higher quality of service and to develop the infrastructure for international communication including submarine cables and international switches. Having joined Batelco in 2004 as an Account Manager for key financial sector customers, Ali joined the Wholesale & Carrier Relations division in 2006 and has established himself as a key player of the team while gaining invaluable experience in all aspects of the department’s activities. Ali holds an Associate Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and a BSc in Marketing and Management from University of Bahrain.

Abdul Hamid Chehab, who joined Batelco in 2006, has played a key role in implementing Batelco’s 3.5G Mobile Network in Bahrain.  Since joining the Mobile team he has been instrumental in the introduction of many initiatives leading to increased efficiency and resulting in an improved quality of service for customers.

In his early career, Abdul Hamid worked at Investcom Group Holding where he held a number of leadership positions including the post of Technical Director. Having worked for more than 18 years in the mobile industry, Abdul Hamid has many achievements to his name including the launch of two new  2, 2.5 and 3G mobile networks in Cyprus and Sudan, in addition to holding major key roles in Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Russia and various countries across Africa.

Abdul Hamid’s background in launching and managing early stage, fast growth mobile network operations, coupled with his technical and managerial expertise, give him the knowledge and experience to be a key contributor in realizing Batelco vision of providing first class telecommunications service for its customers.