Mohammed Mahfoodh Al Ardhi

Mohammed Mahfoodh Al Ardhi (born May 1961 ) is an Omani businessman and former military chief. He is currently the Executive Chairman of Investcorp, Chairman of Bank Sohar, Previous Chairman of the National Bank of Oman and was both the youngest and longest serving native head of the Royal Air Force of Oman, having joined as a fighter pilot.

Family background and early life Al Ardhi was born in Sur, Oman, to Omani parents. His father was head of the regional customs office. Due to the demands of his father's career, Al Ardhi's family moved several times during his early life to various parts of western Oman. Eventually the family moved to Al Batana and finally to Muscat, where Al Ardhi attended secondary school.

Shaped by the experience of his country and his family, Al Ardhi was drawn into public service as a young adult. His father played a crucial role during this phase, encouraging his son to take up internships with the government rather than attend summer camps, play sports, or travel. Al Ardhi worked briefly as an intern in the Ministry of Oil and Gas and the court of the Sultan of Oman before he joined the Royal Air Force of Oman at the age of 17.

Al Ardhi's service with the Royal Air Force included serving as chairman of the Oman–U.S. Military Commission and chairman of the Oman–Iran Military Committee. He was appointed head of the Omani Air Force, a position he held for 10 years. While head of the air force, Al Ardhi worked hard to standardize military procurement among Persian Gulf countries. Al Ardhi retired from the Royal Air Force with the rank of Air Vice Marshal.

Kennedy School at Harvard Following his military service, Al Ardhi earned a Master of Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. After graduation, he returned to Oman to join his family's business.

He was presented with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” in recognition of his outstanding leadership across the organization and contribution to the financial services sector at the Alam-Al Iktissad Wal-Amaal (AIWA) Awards in 2019.

Prior to his role with Sohar International, Al Ardhi served as Vice Chairman and then Chairman of National Bank of Oman (NBO), one of the country's largest financial institutions. He was also the Chairman of the Executive, Nomination and Remuneration Committee (ENRC). As part of his role, Al Ardhi oversaw the bank's growth strategy and its corporate social responsibility programmes, especially those focusing on youth.

Energy, real estate, tourism, and other investments Previously, Mohammed Mahfoodh Al Ardhi served as the chairman of Rimal Investment Projects, which has mandate from the government to direct invest in real estate development, oil and gas industry, and information technology.

Al Ardhi was also chairman of Al Ardhi Energy Services, offering support services to oil and gas industry in the GCC region.

He is the Executive Chairman of Investcorp, a leading international provider of alternative investments with a special focus on the Persian Gulf with approximately US$23 billion of assets under management.

Three months after taking up his role as Executive Chairman of Investcorp, Al Ardhi announced a new growth strategy aiming to more than double its US$10.8 billion Assets Under Management (AUM) over the medium term. A number of initiatives were communicated in relation to this plan, namely tapping into European Real Estate markets, establishing a global distribution platform and inorganic growth.

During the first year of his chairmanship, Investcorp strengthened its institutional shareholders base by agreeing to sell a 20% of interest in the company to Mubadala Development Company, the Abu Dhabi-based investment and development company.

Distinctions

2000: Order of Oman Order of Al Amjad Order of Al Istihqaq