The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Petrofac will have new CEO next year as Iskander leaves
Energy services giant Petrofac has announced its chief executive is leaving. Sami Iskander will leave the London-listed firm at the end of March next year in order to “pursue other interests”.
He will be replaced as by Tareq Kawash, who will take up the mantle on April 1, following an “orderly handover”.
Mr Kawash, who joins from engineering mammoth McDermott, will also be appointed as an executive director to Petrofac’s board.
With 30 years’ experience in the engineering and construction industry under his belt, Petrofac says he is well placed to build on the foundations laid down by his predecessor.
Mr Kawash has a BSc in mechanical engineering from Tufts University and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Virginia. He also attended management and leadership programmes at Rice University and London School of Business.
He said: “I have known Petrofac throughout my career and have always admired its unique execution capability.
“I look forward to leading the team in the next stage of its journey back to growth and leadership in the sector.”
Petrofac, which has a North Sea base in Aberdeen, thanked Mr Iskander for his “invaluable” contribution as CEO in the last two years.
That included the resolution of a historic investigation by the Serious Fraud Office, as well as a “comprehensive refinancing programme”.
A former Shell vice president, Mr Iskander became Petrofac CEO in November 2020, taking over from long-term boss Ayman Asfari after he announced his retirement.
He speaks fluent English, Arabic, Spanish and French and holds a BSc in mechanical engineering from the American University in Cairo.
Mr Iskander said: “I joined Petrofac with the task of setting the business on the right course for sustainable growth, resolving historic issues and positioning the Group for the future.
“After an intense period, Petrofac is in a stronger position. I am grateful to the people of Petrofac for their support, without which none of these achievements would have been possible.”
Mr Kawash’s appointment will be subject to confirmation by shareholders at the next AGM in May.
Company chairman Rene Medori added: “Sami’s contribution to the company over the last two years has been invaluable.
“Having overseen the resolution of the SFO’s historic investigation and led a comprehensive refinancing programme, Sami has reshaped the business and put it firmly on a path to growth.
“On behalf of the board and the company as a whole, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Sami for his unwavering energy, decisive leadership, and passionate ownership of Petrofac’s strategy.
“We are delighted that Tareq Kawash has agreed to join the board as our new group chief executive.
“Tareq joins us from McDermott, where he was most recently senior vice president of its onshore and offshore business lines, and a member of McDermott’s executive committee.
“With 30 years’ international EPC leadership experience, and an impressive business development track record, Tareq is exceptionally well placed to build on the foundations laid by Sami.”