Senior Executives
Marco Arcelli is responsible for overseeing the strategy and operations of ACWA Power’s growing global footprint and ensuring its continued growth and success worldwide.
He is a seasoned C‑level executive with over 20 years of international experience in energy and infrastructure, retail, and digital innovation, and has played a crucial role in the strategic positioning and growth of multinational companies. As an energy expert, Marco has held various leadership positions, including CEO Enel Trade, EVP Upstream Gas, CEO of Enel’s North American operations, as well as Chairman of EP New Energy.
Marco has in‑depth expertise in turnaround and operations, having led two corporate transformations highlighted in case studies by IESE and Harvard Business School. He is also a peer reviewer for the International Energy Agency.
He has also made significant contributions in public affairs and government relations, managing policy negotiations at the country and EU level. He is a dedicated advocate of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and has served as an Audit and HR Committee member for listed companies in Germany and Russia.
An active member of numerous Boards, Marco is also a mentor for organisations supporting women in business and young talents.
He holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Università degli Studi di Genova, Italy and has completed the Harvard Advanced Management Program.
With more than 14 years’ experience with the Company, Mr Al Muhaidib is a skilled leader having held several positions in both Business & Finance at ACWA Power.
During the initial years of his career within the Group, Abdulhameed worked in corporate finance and served several roles in project boards and committees, including NOMAC. Abdulhameed was then primarily involved in managing projects under execution in the UAE, including Noor Energy 1, which is the world largest CSP project. Before joining the company, he worked at HSBC Middle East / Saudi Arabia in Global Investment Banking and Advisory.
Abdulhameed served as board member, audit committee member and risk committee member in many organisations including Tadawul Group, HSBC Saudi Arabia, Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), Savola Group and several ACWA Power subsidiaries.
Abdulhameed holds a BBA Finance Major from University of Miami as well as an MBA from Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business and Management. He was also selected and completed KSA Leadership 2030 Program sponsored by HRH Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (MISK).
Thomas Brostrom leads the Company’s investment strategy and driving its ambitious global growth plan to optimise value and profitability for shareholders.
As a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience in the renewable energy sector, Brostrom has honed his expertise in managing growth through acquisitions, divestments, and organic expansion, all supported by a robust financial background.
Prior to joining ACWA Power, he held the position of Executive Vice President for Renewable Generation at Shell Plc in London, where he oversaw the global renewable generation business. Additionally, he served as President of Orsted’s North American division, a prominent global offshore wind‑power firm.
Brostrom actively contributes to the boards of various renewables‑led organisations, including the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), The Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and RenewableUK.
He holds a Master of Science in Finance & International Business from Aarhus School of Business and is recognised as a chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified by the esteemed CFA Institute.
Bart Boesmans leads technology development at ACWA Power. He brings over 25 years of international experience in the electrical power industry having held operational and executive leadership roles in a range of areas including engineering, business development, project execution and asset management.
Prior to joining ACWA Power, Bart’s experience was primarily with ENGIE where he led several C‑Suite roles for over 10 years across multiple geographies, the most recent one being Deputy Managing Director of ENGIE’s Global Business Line Renewables. Before joining ENGIE, Bart was CEO of Laborelec, an internationally operating electricity research and O&M services centre. Since his early engagement in wind energy over two decades ago, Bart has been actively involved in a wide range of technologies including conventional power generation, natural gas, LNG transport and storage, green gases, solar PV and CSP, hydropower, battery storage, demand side management and microgrids.
Bart holds a Master's degree and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of KU Leuven. He is also a visiting professor at the university where he teaches power generation engineering.
Stefan Verlee is also the President and Chief Executive Officer of First National Operations and Maintenance Company (NOMAC), a leading O&M provider that is 100 percent owned by ACWA Power. Mr Verlee was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of NOMAC in July 2022.
A professional engineer with over 25 years’ experience in operation and maintenance, Stefan previously served as Executive Vice President of NOMAC, leading the expansion of the international business since 2017 in providing safe, reliable, and cost‑effective power and water to the communities we operate in, and has been fully engaged in the energy transition. Prior to joining NOMAC, Stefan was working with ENGIE, a leading energy company focused on energy transition, electricity and water generation, distribution, and services. He oversaw the operation and maintenance of large‑scale power and water projects in various continents, most recently as Chief Operating Officer of Engie Power and Water Middle East.
Stefan holds a Master's degree in Electro‑mechanical Engineering from the University of Leuven (Belgium) and an MBA in European Utility Management from Jacobs University of Bremen (Germany).
A seasoned professional with over 18 years of experience in the human resources field, Mr Jadu was responsible for driving and formulating the HR function of several prominent organisations in Saudi Arabia. His areas of expertise entail strategic planning, change management, leadership development, governance and policies, and organisational effectiveness.
Mr Jadu started his professional career by joining Alawwal Bank’s Future Managers Programme and then joined the Human Resources function where he held several executive roles. In 2011, Mr Jadu moved to Saudi British Bank (SABB) where he held several leadership positions before assuming the role of Chief Human Resources Officer.
Prior to joining ACWA Power, Mr Jadu served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Skills Centre within the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in Saudi Arabia. He was responsible for establishing the Financial Skills Centre – a national initiative to develop the financial skills of government employees, which included over five hundred government entities and up to 18,000 employees across KSA.
Mr Jadu holds a Bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems (MIS) from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia. He is also an independent member of the Board of Directors’ Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) of several Saudi entities.
Ghassan H. Shawli is a legal veteran with 19 years of experience in senior leadership roles with reputable companies.
Prior to joining ACWA Power, Mr Shawli was the Chief Legal Officer for the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, advising on legal affairs and overseeing the build-up and performance of the department. He has also held the role of Vice President of Legal Affairs for three years at The Saudi Arabian Airlines Cooperation as well as other senior positions at Saudi Aramco, cultivating deep sector expertise in KSA.
Mr Shawli brings a wealth of experience as lead counsel on mega projects; mergers & acquisitions; corporate governance; and restructuring within various industries, with market cap sizes exceeding USD 20 billion.
Mr Shawli is a certified New York State Bar attorney and holds a Jurisprudence Doctorate degree from the Northwestern School of Law.
Simon Watson's dedication to enhancing organisational outcomes has led to substantial improvements in safety and sustainability, reflecting his impact across the various high‑risk sectors he’s navigated globally.
Beginning his corporate journey as a non‑commissioned officer in the British Army, Simon honed leadership and operational skills that would become the foundation of his later successes in the corporate world. His military discipline seamlessly transitioned into corporate strategy, where he has since shaped and led HSSES initiatives with rigor and vision. At Wood, in the EMEA region, he held the pivotal role of Vice President of HSSES, managing a substantial team and P&L.
Simon’s career has been marked by strategic roles. At Siemens Mobility and Thames Water his efforts have significantly reduced incidents and integrated sustainable practices into core business functions, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and compliance.
Simon holds an MBA along with a degree in Health and Safety. Simon’s commitment to continuous improvement is evident in his ongoing pursuit of professional development. This drive for knowledge complements his extensive practical experience, equipping him with a unique blend of expertise in both theory and application.
Eric Maka is a Belgian national with 28 years’ experience with Engie in the power and desalination plant industry, incorporating 23 years on international assignments in Singapore, Turkey, Kingdom of Bahrain, Sultanate of Oman, Dubai and Saudi Arabia.
Since 2018, Eric has been the CEO and Chairman of Tihama Power Generation in Saudi Arabia, before becoming in 2021 the Chief Operating Officer of Saudi Arabia for Engie. He then joined Senoko Energy in Singapore as President & CEO in January 2023.
In Eric’s previous Engie role, he was in 2011 the Head of Asset Management (construction) of the MESCAT & Africa Business Units based in Dubai. He subsequently became the Head of Asset Management (Construction & Operation) for Saudi Arabia & Kuwait.
Eric has served as a Board of Director and chairperson of several projects and O&M companies in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Sultanate of Oman, South Africa and Morocco. He holds a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from ECAM in Brussels.
Rusha Al‑Rawaf oversees the Sustainability and CSR, Institutional Relations, and Corporate Communications departments.
In her role, she works closely with the management team and various functions to maximise the business’ short, medium, and long‑term profitability.
As a seasoned marketing and communications executive, she is multilingual and adept in diverse cultural environments. Rusha also has a proven track record in elevating corporate value through strategic roles and global operations, and combines a strong technical background with effective leadership skills, driving strategic alignment and cohesive team dynamics.
She has held senior positions at a number of renowned institutions in KSA and abroad, including stc and Aramco. In previous roles, Rusha has been responsible for leading teams and crafting messaging strategies, as well as managing brand positioning and executing integrated marketing campaigns.
Rusha holds an executive MBA from London Business School and a PhD from University of California, Santa Barbara, blending academic knowledge with practical, innovative solutions in communication and sustainability.
Furqan Kamlani reports directly to the Audit Committee of the company’s Board of Directors and the CEO.
Kamlani is a seasoned finance and audit professional with over 26 years of experience driving operational excellence and strategic transformation within the aviation and energy sectors. He has also served as the Vice President – Internal Audit at ACWA Power, giving him valuable insights across the company’s business strategies, risks and compliance efforts.
Prior to this role, Kamlani held senior leadership roles at major enterprises such as the Emirates Group and Saudia Technic (part of the Saudia Group). At the Emirates Group, Kamlani headed the finance and administration function of the Group's operations in Pakistan, later rising in the ranks as the Head of Audit for Emirates Operations for nearly a decade. He also led a change programme within the group’s Internal Audit department.
At Saudia Technic, he spearheaded the development of the audit and risk function as the Chief Audit & Risk Officer. He demonstrated his expertise in building and mentoring high‑performing teams, particularly with a focus on developing Saudi national talent.
Kamlani brings a holistic approach to audit on the back of his varied experience in management, governance, and assurance areas. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant from Pakistan and a Certified Internal Auditor by the Institute of International Auditors (IIA) in the US.
Tahir Mahmood is responsible for directing comprehensive risk management strategies across ACWA Power’s operations, ensuring the company’s continued international growth and resilience.
He is a highly experienced executive with over 20 years of expertise, specialising in regulatory compliance, internal audit, financial control, enterprise and operational risk management, business integrity, and effective corporate governance.
Tahir has played crucial roles in establishing and progressing key control functions across various organisations, enhancing the maturity of risk management and compliance processes. He has held leadership positions in major utility companies, including National Grid Plc, Centrica Plc and UK Power Networks, where he served as Director of Finance Assurance, Chief Risk and Compliance Office, and Chief Audit Executive. Most recently he has also served as Chief Risk and Compliance Officer and Chief Audit Executive for the Saudi Electric Company.
His expertise extends to implementing enterprise risk management frameworks, developing compliance programmes, and leading audit and assurance activities. Throughout his career, he has made significant contributions to corporate governance, having managed high‑profile group‑wide governance processes and led post‑acquisition reviews.
Tahir is also experienced in stakeholder engagement, regularly reporting to and engaging with Board members, C‑level executive management, and external stakeholders.
A qualified accountant, he holds a BSc (Hons) from the University of Aston, UK.
He is also a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and has completed the PRINCE 2 Practitioner certification.
Hesham Tashkandi has over 25 years of experience in the Energy Industry. Hesham started his career as on the technical track as a Process Control Engineer in the Steel Industry before joining the General Electric Company in 2000 as a Field Service Engineer, spending 18 years with GE moving through progressively larger roles in multiple areas including Project Management, Commercial/ Operations Management, Quality Lean‑Six Sigma, Product Management, and General Business Management while gaining regional and global experience in multiple locations throughout Middle East, Western Europe, and the United States of America.
Prior to joining ACWA Power, Hesham was Cluster Chief Executive Officer with Rezayat Company, leading EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) activities focused on energy industry full turnkey solution projects. Prior to that, Hesham was ME region Vice President and General Manager at Honeywell Company, leading the Performance Materials & Technologies business providing distributed plant control systems and digital solutions, advance materials, and oil & gas process technology to the energy industry. Prior to that, Hesham Tashkandi was Vice President for Middle East & Africa at Exterran Corporation, a global Energy developer implementing a project financing DBOOM model (Design, Build, Own, Operate, Maintain) in the energy industry.
Hesham holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with high honours and a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University. He also completed a Master of Business Administration from Emory University, Goizueta Business School in Atlanta, Georgia USA in May 2012.
Hashim Ghabashi is a business leader with over 21 years of experience.
Hashim has a strong technical background in Project Management, Petro‑Chemicals, Energy, and Water Desalination. He has guided enterprises through substantial change management utilising strong and effective strategic leadership. He has worked alongside international and reputed consultation firms to lead and participate in organisational improvement initiatives. The programmes covered cost management, reliability improvements, HSE, roles and responsibilities, and culture enhancement. He has built and aligned teams in multi‑cultural environments and worked with international contractors in Europe, the Far East and China.
Hashim started with ACWA Power on 2015 and was the EMO of Bowarege and then the RABEC operational units. In 2018 he started as EMD for the Hassyan Clean Coal project and then EMD of Noor Energy 1, the world's largest CSP project.
Abid Malik has a background as a mechanical engineer by profession with over 25 years of intense and valuable experience in the Power Sector.
Abid has been with ACWA Power for over 15 years. Prior to joining ACWA Power in 2009 Abid served functional and senior leadership roles in AES & Engro Power (formerly Exxon), and has expertise in Business Development, Design, Construction and Operations.
Having been deeply involved in major power transactions in various parts of the world, Abid acquired valuable knowledge of the complexities of long‑term contracted projects.
Abid also sits on the Board of several power and utility companies owned and operated by ACWA Power.
Yunhe Lyu manages the overall China business including business development, construction and operations in China, and the Global Support Functions in China, including the China APF team, China BD commercial support team, China procurement support team, China PEO team, and China R&D team. In addition, he represents ACWA Power in China and manages the overall ACWA Power’s key relationships with China.
Mr Lyu has extensive experience in project development, investment, project finance, and project management.
Yunhe Lyu joined the ACWA Power office in 2011, initially as a project finance manager, building the APF team and leading the Chinese financial institutional relationships. He is building the China team, ranging from business development (commercial support) to procurement to EPC. Currently, Yunhe is based in the ACWA Power Shanghai office where ACWA Power has established its China investment local and regional headquarters.
Prior to joining ACWA Power, Mr Lyu was a project finance analyst at Bouygues UK, based in London. He holds a Double Master’s degree in Civil Engineering and Project Finance from Ecole Des Ponts PariTech in Paris, and a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Tongji University in Shanghai.