Al Jouf Cement Company, Saudi Arabia's largest cement producer, has appointed Samaan Samaan as an independent board member, effective September 29, 2026. The appointment, announced to the Tadawul stock exchange in Riyadh, fills a vacant seat on the board and will run until the conclusion of the current board term on August 5, 2027. The move represents a significant addition of international cement sector expertise to the Kingdom's construction materials industry at a time when major infrastructure spending remains central to Saudi Vision 2030.
The board resolution to appoint Samaan was issued on September 29, 2026, and the company noted that final approval will require ratification at the next general assembly meeting. Samaan brings more than 35 years of professional and leadership experience in the industrial sector, with particular depth in cement and ready-mix concrete operations. During his career, he held several significant leadership positions, most notably serving as Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Cement Jordan, in addition to serving on its board of directors and as chairman of the board of managers of Lafarge Concrete. The appointment underscores Al Jouf Cement's intent to strengthen its governance framework with executives who have navigated complex operational and financial challenges in the region.
Samaan is the Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Cement Jordan, a position he has held since August 2014, and has been instrumental in the company's dramatic turnaround following insolvency proceedings. Under his leadership, Lafarge Jordan achieved a net consolidated profit of JD33.8 million after tax in 2024, a significant increase from JD1.5 million in 2023. He holds extensive experience in statutory accounting, auditing, financial management and corporate management. His tenure at Lafarge has been marked by strategic modernisation efforts, including the launch of environmentally friendly cement products and the implementation of a multi-year growth strategy that emphasises innovation and sustainable building solutions in the Middle Eastern construction market.
Al Jouf Cement Company, founded in 2006 and listed on Saudi Tadawul since 2011, is one of the region's most significant cement manufacturers. The company produces ordinary Portland cement, sulfate-resistant cement, and specialised products used across residential, commercial and infrastructure projects. Based in Riyadh, its production facility operates in the northwestern region of Saudi Arabia near the Saudi-Jordanian-Iraqi borders, positioning it strategically for domestic supply and regional exports. The company has maintained its standing as a vital contributor to Saudi Arabia's construction sector, which continues to expand under government-backed infrastructure initiatives and Vision 2030 development programmes.
Samaan's appointment signals Al Jouf Cement's prioritisation of independent oversight with direct expertise in cement operations and financial recovery. His proven track record managing a cement producer through restructuring and subsequent profitability expansion suggests the board is seeking to enhance governance efficiency and executive oversight. The timing of the appointment, following earlier board compositional changes in 2026 including the promotion of Bakr bin Atef Sindi to Chief Executive Officer, indicates a structured effort to refresh leadership and strengthen operational governance. With more than 35 years of sector experience and deep familiarity with regional cement market dynamics, Samaan's independent board position appears designed to add technical industry knowledge and crisis management perspective to strategic decision-making at a publicly listed Saudi cement producer operating in a competitive regional market.
