YOUSEF ABDULLAH AL BENYAN 05

VICE CHAIRMAN AND CEO, SABIC

ORIGIN KSA RESIDENCE KSA SECTOR INDUSTRY 2016 RANK 07

Now in his second year at the top of petrochemicals giant SABIC, Al Benyan has arguably steered the firm through one of its most difficult periods in recent memory. In the third quarter the company, which has more than $90bn in assets, reported a 7 per cent decrease in profit due to weaker market demand and rising costs, its ninth profit decline in a row. He has predicted 2017 will be another challenging period for the firm as it continues to focus on efficiency, but a turnaround in global energy markets and new projects, including joint plans for a new petrochemical plant with Exxon Mobil in the US, could give the SABIC veteran, who has been with the company since 1987, reason to smile.