Francois Laborie has previously run Cognite’s Americas region and managed Cognite’s overall marketing activities, including product marketing, and the Cognite partner network, as Chief Marketing Officer. He spent the preceding 11 years with the software company Vizrt, where he served as COO and CCO, responsible for all commercial and operational activities. Laborie has a Ph.D. in computer science from the Toulouse Research Institute in Computer Science (IRIT).

Dr. John Markus Lervik is the Chief Strategy & Development Officer and co-founder of Cognite, serving as CEO from the foundation to 2022. Throughout his career, Lervik has channelled his passion for liberating data and innovating with technology into companies that revolutionize the ways we work.

After finalizing his PhD at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), he co-founded Fast Search & Transfer (FAST) in 1997 and served first as Chief Technology Officer and later as Chief Executive Officer until Microsoft acquired the company in 2008 for USD 1.3 billion. He then took the position of Vice President of Enterprise Search at Microsoft before leaving in 2009 to found the software company Cxense, which was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange in 2014. In 2005 Lervik was recognized by Forbes as a member of the E-gang for his pioneering work in the technology sector.

Christine Tønsberg Nilsen is responsible for all legal operations in Cognite globally. Christine has extensive legal experience and is a specialist in technology law and SaaS, with a focus on strategic and commercial assessments. She is very interested in thinking outside the box and is known for having digitized and streamlined the legal department in Cognite in record time through the implementation and use of legal-tech tools.

Christine has previously worked in the technology department of SANDS and been Chief Legal Officer in the listed technology company NEXT Biometrics. In addition to her law degree, she has a degree in entrepreneurship and a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Ahmed is a dedicated corporate leader with a rich background in the digital and IT landscape. As a prominent member of the corporate management team at Saudi Aramco, he has honed his expertise through various roles within the Digital & IT organization such as Corporate Applications Director, Computer Operations Director, Communication Operations Director, and Chief Information Security Officer. Currently, he is the Director of the Corporate Applications Department within the Digital Transformation organization, steering the company towards innovative technological solutions.

These roles have not only deepened his understanding of IT but also empowered him to drive transformative change within the Saudi Aramco organization.

His educational foundation includes a Senior Executive Programme from the esteemed London Business School, where he honed his strategic and leadership skills. Additionally, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, laying the groundwork for his technical proficiency.

With a passion for leveraging technology to enhance business outcomes, he continue to spearhead initiatives that redefine the digital landscape, making a lasting impact in the realm of corporate digital transformation and IT management.

Mohammed currently serves as the Group Tax Compliance Lead. Concurrent to his managerial responsibilities, he sits on the Board of Director for a number of Companies and Organizations including Middle East Cloud and Digital Transformation Company Limited (CNTXT).

In 2016, Mohammed served as Business Advisory Lead within IPO Finance Readiness & Compliance, responsible to manage six fiscal regime workstreams to ensure the Company’s readiness for the planned IPO. Later, in 2019, Mohammed assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer for Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare for three years prior to his current role.

Mohammed joined Saudi Aramco in 2005 as an Accounting Analyst covering a wide range of responsibilities and functions in the area of financial reporting, operations accounting, tax compliance and planning and performance management.

In 2004, Mohammed earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of New Orleans. In 2014 Mohammed earned an MBA from Southern Methodist University, Cox Business School in Dallas. Mohammed is also a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) from the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).

Fahad A. Aldossary was appointed as a member of Cntxt Board of Managers since its inception. Fahad is a veteran technology leader who led several key positions at Saudi Aramco.

Fahad joined Saudi Aramco in 2001 and completed a B.S. degree in Computer Science from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in that year. His first assignment was as an engineer with Saudi Aramco Computer Operations Department, where he worked on several technology deployments. After which Fahad earned his M.S. degree in Information Technology in 2007.

In 2013, Fahad served as a board member of King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals iMentor Program. During that year, Fahad also led the prestigious Saudi Aramco Board of Engineers secretariat team.
In 2014, Fahad served as Saudi Aramco Computer Operations Department Directory leading a world-class team of professionals to provide computing, server, desktops, email and mobility computing services running on the latest technology the world has to offer to Saudi Aramco.
In 2015, Fahad served as a Technical Advisory Council Member at the National Industrial Training Institute (NITI). He served as NITI’s technical curator and advisory body focusing on technical training excellence, quality graduates and assimilate Clients’ needs and industry requirements, along with technology advancements.

In 2018, Fahad was named as the Vice President of Strategy & Market Analysis Chief of Staff providing support to the company management team in key decision-making activities.

In 2021, Fahad was appointed as the Director of Saudi Aramco Digital Strategy, Investments & Growth Department. During that assignment, Fahad led the establishment of the Aramco Digital Company, a wholly owned subsidiary which aims to accelerate digital transformation within the Kingdom and the MENA region.

Currently, Fahad serves as a Chief Strategy, Technology and Innovation Officer at Sofon Industries, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, in which he is utilizing the best-in-class innovation and technology to create the maritime industry in the Kingdom.

Abdullah is on a mission to position CNTXT as the leading force in cloud and digital transformation in Saudi Arabia and MENA. He brings a rich, two-decade career at Saudi Aramco to the role, during which time he established Aramco’s private cloud and IT infrastructure and led the negotiations with Cognite and Google Cloud to establish CNTXT.

A recognised technology leader in roles spanning cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, cloud and applications development, Abdullah brings his innovation knowledge to shape our clients’ digital transformation journeys. Tech-enabled growth is at the heart of his thinking. His personal mission is to catalyse a more technologically advanced and sustainable future for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Ibrahim is a seasoned enterprise solutions leader with a special focus on user experience and best-in-class technologies. During his 20-year career at Saudi Aramco, he spearheaded enterprise business solutions development, managed DevOps and digital transformation initiatives to enhance enterprise mobile applications, and was integral to the company-wide adoption of RPA, Artificial Intelligence and AR/VR.

As Chief Cloud Officer, Ibrahim is responsible for developing a high-performance team that will support customers on their cloud journey. With his keen eye for technology and expert people leadership, Ibrahim drives CNTXT’s mission of leading cloud and digital transformation in the MENA region.

One part strategist, one part problem-solver, Saud orchestrates all the accounting and finance activities at CNTXT. He ensures our business and financial strategies are aligned as we accomplish our vision. Previously, he led the finance department at the JV between Aramco and Total Amiral in Italy, and held numerous financial strategy roles at Saudi Aramco.

With more than 16 years of experience, Saud is a proven leader in managing complex financial systems, and excels at developing forecasting models that guide strategic decision-making. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Willamette University.

A seasoned HR professional with a global mindset, Waleed has a 30-year track record in managing, interpreting and implementing HR policies, procedures and training programs. He has empowered a number of Saudi Aramco joint-venture organisations with comprehensive HR programs over the years and is passionate about creating a culture that empowers employees to achieve their full potential.

As Chief HRO, Waleed is the architect behind CNTXT’s human resources strategy. His vision and leadership are instrumental in ensuring that we have the right talent to drive our business goals and ambitions forward.

A visionary thinker and a seasoned marketing professional, Giedre is the driving force behind CNTXT’s corporate vision and strategic planning. She has a proven track record of establishing dynamic partner ecosystems, and her expertise has been instrumental in managing CNTXT’s strategic direction.

Prior to joining CNTXT, Giedre was the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Cognite, elevating the technology brand into one of the most recognised in Europe. She has served in a number of industry organisations, including the Society of Petroleum Engineers. In 2019, Giedre was named among the Top 100 management talents under 35 in Norway by business publication E24.

Ahmed is an experienced lawyer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He received his law degree, followed by a Masters of Comparative and International Law and a Juris Doctor, all from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law. With expertise honed over a decade in litigation, corporate, and governance matters, he joined CNTXT.

He has broad experience advising on contentious and non-contentious issues. As head of legal, Ahmed manages all legal matters and liaises with external counsel, while also serving as CNTXT’s Board Secretary, assisting and advising board members.

Ra’afat H. Sindi is an accomplished business & commercial executive, leading CNTXT sales and marketing organization as a Chief Revenue Officer. His experience of nearly 30 years spans various leadership roles from international and regional companies like Schneider Electric, GE and FlyNas, where he built and was succesfully leading local and international sales teams and commercial operations. Raafat’s unique experience from industrial and b2b technology sectors makes him uniquely positioned to drive CNTXT commercial success across the portfolio of cloud, industrial software and robotics products.

Nilco brings over 30 years of experience in the IT industry to his role as Chief Delivery Officer at CNTXT. He has a proven track record of leading high-performing teams across delivery, support, managed services, community building, and product development.

At CNTXT, Nilco spearheads the Delivery team, driving the successful execution of Robotics, Cloud, and Digital projects for clients throughout KSA and the wider Middle East. His previous role as Vice President of Customer and Partner Enablement at Cognite equipped him with a deep understanding of client and partner needs.

With a Master’s degree in Computer Science and a passion for technology, Nilco is committed to guiding clients through their digital transformation journeys. His expertise in Cloud and Digital solutions empowers businesses to maximize their potential.

Rakan Kheder, Head of CNTXT Academy, has over 18 years of experience in executive development, organizational transformation, and operational excellence. A Stanford LEAD Program graduate and University of Michigan alumnus, he has worked across various industries. Rakan excels in designing learning strategies, driving cultural change, and optimizing processes. At CNTXT Academy, he leads initiatives to enhance digital capabilities and innovation. His expertise in digital literacy and adaptive learning is crucial for developing skills to navigate the evolving digital landscape, supporting CNTXT’s mission to accelerate digital transformation across industries. Rakan is committed to aligning CNTXT Academy’s efforts with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, focusing on developing local talent and fostering innovation to drive economic diversification and technological advancement.

Brings over 14 years of experience in cybersecurity, corporate governance, risk, and compliance.
A Stanford University LEAD Program and Michigan University graduate with a distinguished career in industry giants such as STC, SABIC, and Aramco.
Mohammed is responsible for the strategic oversight of cybersecurity initiatives at CNTXT, ensuring robust protection of digital assets, customer data, and cloud infrastructure and solutions.
Mohammed and his team ensure compliance with national and global regulations, thereby enhancing data protection, fostering a culture of ethical conduct, and ensuring the provision of secure and reliable digital solutions to maintain CNTXT’s reputation as a secure and trustworthy partner in the industry.