Bader Al-Kharafi

Al-Kharafi was born on 17 August 1977. He received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Kuwait University in 2002. In 2016, he completed his MBA from London Business School.[5]

After graduation, Al-Kharafi joined Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC). He joined M.A & Al-Kharafi group in 2002 and started working as a Coordination Engineer.[6] He currently holds senior management positions at Gulf Bank of Kuwait, Foulath Holding, Diamond International Motors, and Gulf Cable & Electrical Industries.[7]

After the death of his father, Nasser Al-Kharafi, he assumed the directorship of the Al Kharafi groups' executive committee in 2012.[8]

In early 2014, he joined the Middle East Advisory Board of Coutts.[9][10] In the same year, Zain KSA, a subsidiary of Zain Group appointed Al-Kharafi as its Vice Chairman.[11]

In 2017, Al-Kharafi became the CEO of Zain Group, replacing the Scott Gegenheimer.[12]

In February 2019, he became the Chairman of the Board of the Executive Committee and a member of the Board of Nomination and Remuneration Committee of Boursa Kuwait, the country's stock exchange.[13]

In September 2019, BNK Automotive owned by Al-Kharafi signed a new Volvo agency agreement in Kuwait making BNK Automotive the exclusive importer for Volvo Cars into Kuwait.[14] In November 2019, Al-Kharafi acquired a controlling stake in Gulf Cable by purchasing 29 percent of the company's shares reported to be worth around US$500 million.[15][16]

• In 2014, Al-Kharafi has been featured in the World's 100 Most Powerful Arabs 2014 by Gulf Business.[3][17]
• In 2015, Al-Kharafi ranked as one of the Most Powerful Young Arabs Under 40 in Arabian Business.[18]
• In 2017 and 2018, Al-Kharafi was listed in the 100 World's Most Influential Arabs feature by Arabian Business.[19][4]

Al-Kharafi is associated with Kuwait Food Bank which is involved in providing nutritious meals to the poor in Kuwait and creating public awareness on lessening food waste.[20][21] More than 5,700 Kuwaiti families are said to have benefited from this initiative.[22] The food bank also provides skills and training to the members of poor families so that they can find decent employment in Kuwait.[23][24]

He offers support and guidance to Kuwaiti youth through INJAZ Kuwait.[25]

Additionally, the recent launch of WE ABLE in the year 2019, Al-Kharafi is leading Zain's Disability Inclusion Program which aims to position Zain Group as Disability Inclusive by 2022.[26][27][28]