Bio

Over the past 23 years, Najla has worked in various onshore and offshore upstream Oil and Gas operational roles as well as managerial and consultancy positions in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East at globally recognised companies including Vale, Schlumberger Business Consulting, IHS Energy, Shell and Petroleum Development Oman (PDO). She possesses strong analytical and leadership skills with a track record in deriving and implementing strategies as well as business turnaround solutions.

Najla joined Oman Oil Company in 2013 and contributed her extensive experience in helping shape the company’s strategic direction to fulfill the company’s objectives of maximizing value for Oman from its resources. In 2016, Najla was appointed as Executive Managing Director of Takamul Investment Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oman Oil Company, which manages a number of Oman Oil Company’s Oman-based investments. In 2020, Najla helped set up OQ’s Alternative Energy team and was instrumental in transitioning it to a business line where she became responsible for all Green Molecules Ventures. Under her leadership, OQAE has announced 4 Green Hydrogen ventures in Oman so far with world-renowned partners. These projects should cumulatively contribute over 30 GW of renewable power to produce green hydrogen. In 2022, Najla was appointed as Alternative Energy Chief Executive in OQ.

Najla has been a Board of Directors member of numerous companies under the OQ Group as well as externally. She was the deputy chairperson for HSBC Oman and is currently on the Hydrogen Advisory Board of the Sustainability Energy Council. Najla holds a Bachelor of Science degree with honours in Mathematics with Applied Mathematics/Mathematical Physics from Imperial College, London. She also attained a Master of Science degree in Financial Management from the University of London and participated in Schlumberger’s leadership programme at INSEAD, in France.