The Board of Directors is either elected or appointed by the shareholders in order to oversee the activities of the Company through a sound and effective Corporate Governance Framework. The Board’s primary responsibility is to provide effective governance and leadership over the Company’s affairs and for overseeing and directing the Company’s Executive Management for the ultimate benefit of its shareholders and stakeholders.
Tarek Al Mousa
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Member of the Board Nomination and Remuneration Committee (BNRC)
As Chairman, Tarek Al Mousa provides leadership to the Board of Directors and acts as a direct liaison between the board and executive management. He also oversees the Company’s corporate governance program and aims to protect the interests of investors and stakeholders. In addition, Tarek is also the Vice Chairperson and CEO of the Metal and Recycling Company (MRC). MRC is a waste management Company offering the latest practical and cost-effective solutions to manage the complexities of responsible waste management. Tarek also managed several executive positions within Agility, last serving as the Executive Director of Strategic Programs. Tarek holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Media and Sociology from the University of Evansville, Indiana.
Nadia Akil
Vice Chairperson and CEO
Executive Member of the Board Nomination and Remuneration Committee (BNRC)
Nadia Akil is the Vice Chairperson and CEO of UPAC. Since having been appointed to this position in 2012, she has been responsible for the overall operations of UPAC in Kuwait, including managing its three BOT contracts within the airport. Nadia is also involved in the investment and development of Reem Mall in Abu Dhabi, which is set to become the regions first fully digitized omnichannel offering. Previously, Akil held various positions at Agility, and last served as a Director on Agility’s Executive Projects Team. In this role, she concentrated on identifying growth areas, business development opportunities and operational efficiencies. Prior to Agility, Akil was part of the Global Wealth Management Group at Citigroup in London. In 2023, Nadia was selected by Forbes Middle East among the list of the 100 most powerful businesswomen in the Middle East.
Nadia holds a master’s degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs with a concentration in finance and business, and a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Nadia is also a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) Kuwait Chapter.
Hasan El Houry
Non-Executive Board Member
Chairman of the Board Risk and Audit Committee (BRAC)
Hassan El Houry is currently the Chairman of Menzies Aviation, the world’s largest aviation services Company by number of countries served and the leading service partner to the world’s airports and airlines. Hassan was Group CEO of National Aviation Services (NAS) from 2009 and he spearheaded the Company’s expansion into Africa, Asia, and the Middle East to become NAS and Menzies an integrated global entity in the name of Menzies. Hassan also is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of National Real Estate Company (NREC) and Royal Aviation (UPAC subsidiary). In 2014, Hassan was honored by the World Economic Forum in Davos as a Young Global Leader given his experience and contributions in the field of aviation and airport services. Hassan is also a member in the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and serves as the director of the Wharton Alumni Club in the Middle East. He holds a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from the American University of Beirut.
Zuhair Al Zamel
Non-Executive and Independent Member
Member of the Board Risk and Audit Committee (BRAC)
Chairman of the Board Nomination and Remuneration Committee (BNRC)
Zuhair Al Zamel has been a member of UPAC’S Board of Directors since 2008. Al Zamel held various positions with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for over 30 years, and most recently as Vice General Director of Civil Aviation for Airport Affairs. He also served as a Consultant for National Aviation Services (NAS) from 2009 until 2015. Zuhair graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
Majed Al Ajeel
Non-Executive Member
Member of the Board Risk and Audit Committee (BRAC)
Majed Al Ajeel has been a UPAC board member since 2005. He has also held various prominent positions most notably as Chairman of Burgan Bank from 2010 until 2022. He also served as the Chairman and Member of the Kuwait Banking Association during that period, and previously held leading positions such as Vice Chairperson and CEO of UPAC and served as a member of the Board of Directors of various other companies. Majed holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the Catholic University of America.