Saudi Company for Hardware (SACO), the Kingdom's largest home improvement retailer, appointed Wael Jamjoom as Chairman in a board reshuffle that took effect following the company's June shareholder vote. Rehab Bakhsh, a non-executive director, was named Vice Chair in the newly structured leadership. The appointments follow a broader board reorganization approved at SACO's ordinary general meeting in June for a three-year term ending July 19, 2029.
The board decision, announced via the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul), marks a significant governance transition at the Riyadh-headquartered retailer. Jamjoom, designated as an independent director, was simultaneously named chairman of SACO's executive and investment committees, positioning him as a central figure in operational strategy. Bakhsh, while taking the Vice Chair role, was appointed to the audit committee, aligning her with financial oversight responsibilities. The board also approved the formation of multiple oversight committees and appointed company representatives before the Capital Market Authority and Tadawul.
Jamjoom brings extensive experience across Saudi Arabia's private sector and financial markets. He currently serves as a board member at Saudi Post Corporation and holds leadership positions in multiple Saudi enterprises spanning media, logistics, printing, and technology. He is Chairman of RPS Menat, Joudcom, Al Rouya Al Motatawera, and Okaz For Electronic Publishing, while also serving as President of Rotoub Investment and Development Holding Company and General Manager of Jamjoom Umra Services. His background includes director roles at iMENA Holdings and positions across diverse industries, suggesting operational expertise valued for SACO's multichannel retail strategy.
SACO, established in 1984 and listed on Tadawul since 2015, operates as one of the Middle East's largest home improvement retailers. The company operates 33 stores across 18 Saudi cities, including five large-format SACO World locations ranging from 2,000 to 24,500 square meters, stocking more than 45,000 products across tools, hardware, appliances, electronics, furniture, and automotive supplies. The company operates dual business segments in retail-and-services and logistics, generating revenues near SAR 1.5 billion. SACO has undergone strategic transformation since March 2023, accelerating digital initiatives and online expansion, with online sales jumping 60 percent in 2024 and 90 percent in early 2025.
Jamjoom's independent board status and commercial expertise suggest SACO's board sought external governance perspectives as the retailer navigates digital-first market demands and diversifies beyond traditional hardware. The appointment follows the exit of CEO Abdel-Salam Bdeir in October 2026 after the board declined to renew his contract, with board member Sakhr Jamjoom elevated to Managing Director concurrently. The governance transition implies board confidence in operational restructuring amid competitive pressures in Saudi Arabia's home improvement sector and indicates potential strategic initiatives beyond traditional store-based retail during a period of accelerating omnichannel retail adoption in the Kingdom.
