Haithem Alfaraj

Haithem Mohammed Mojil Alfaraj was appointed Group Chief Executive Officer of Neo Space Group (NSG), the Saudi Arabia–based commercial space services provider, effective April 9, 2026, succeeding founding CEO Martijn Blanken who had led the company since its establishment.

Alfaraj brings more than two decades of leadership experience across telecommunications and technology. Most recently, he served as group chief technology officer at Saudi Telecom Company (stc), where he led major technology transformation initiatives including network modernization, digital platform development, cloud adoption, and cybersecurity capabilities, helping position stc as a leading digital technology group. His earlier career includes senior positions at Mobily and Saudi Aramco, focusing on large-scale engineering and technology operations. More specifically, he joined stc in 2016 from Etihad Etisalat (Mobily), where he was Chief Technology Operations Officer, having spent 11 years with Mobily in leadership positions for infrastructure and service management operations.

Education

Alfaraj holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) and an Executive MBA from Hult International Business School, and has completed executive programs at INSEAD, IMD and Harvard Business School.

Board Roles & Industry Involvement

Alfaraj is a member of the GSMA Technology Group Board and serves on the board of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a collaboration between KACST and the World Economic Forum.

What Alfaraj Could Bring to Neo Space Group

Alfaraj's appointment represents a strategic shift for NSG as it transitions from foundational build-out to scaled commercialization. His extensive background in network modernization, digital transformation, and large-scale infrastructure operations at stc positions him to accelerate NSG's core business sectors spanning government, defense, aviation, maritime, and enterprise. His dual expertise in both telecommunications infrastructure and technology operations—developed across two decades at regional telecommunications leaders and energy sector operations—provides a unique bridge between space-enabled services and traditional connectivity infrastructure, potentially enabling NSG to develop integrated, cross-sector solutions that support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 space ambitions and commercial expansion globally.