Khalid Mohammed Kanoo named new Group Chairman

Manama : Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo (Holdings), one of the largest, independent family-owned multinational businesses in the Middle East, announced yesterday the appointment of its new Group Chairman, Khalid Mohamed Kanoo.

The Board of Directors in a joint statement said: “YBA Kanoo Group Board of Directors are grateful for the lessons taught by our late Group Chairman, Mubarak Kanoo.  As a family, we strive to continue to build upon his legacy in making our company one of the most respected and largest family-owned businesses in the Middle East.”

“Khalid Kanoo’s appointment is a clear reflection of the company’s future aspirations to be ready to take on our Vision 2020 programme.  Khalid M. Kanoo has been supporting the group in Bahrain, the GCC and globally for many years as a known and trusted leader both within the Group and the wider business community,” the Board of Directors said in a statement. 

Commenting on the announcement, Khalid Mohamed Kanoo, Chairman of YBA Kanoo Group stated: “I am honoured and humbled to take the torch and continue to grow and nurture our family and businesses through sustainable strategies and sound leadership.  Succeeding great fore-fathers starting with the founder Haji Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo and down to generations of extraordinary leaders who led the way through more than 128 years of successful entrepreneurship is both an exciting challenge and responsibility and I look forward to working with everyone in our family, our communities and business partners to bring further growth and success”.

Khalid Mohammed Kanoo has a wealth of knowledge and experience, where he held many positions and executive roles within and outside the group, as well as in many boards of directors and government agencies. He is the founder and president of the Bahrain Family Business Association. He is also a Board Member of several banks and investment houses, and chairs the Board of Trustees of the Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Award amongst many other leadership roles.

Khalid is also a published author with two books, the first entitled “House of Kanoo” and the second “Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the future challenges of the chambers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.” He has written many articles on family businesses, lectured and arranged several conferences and seminars on this subject in several countries from within the region and beyond. Khalid Mohammed Kanoo is also a visual artist with many participations in the Kingdom of Bahrain