Samer A. Samad holds the esteemed position of President & CEO at Nesma & Partners, a leading contracting company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In this capacity, he assumes the crucial role of ensuring the safety and well-being of the company’s employees while surpassing the expectations of its stakeholders. Samer diligently oversees that all projects undertaken by the company are completed within the designated timeline while upholding the highest standards of quality.
By leading and supporting our employees, Samer strives to align the company with its corporate strategy. Valuing the contributions of every team member, he creates an atmosphere where they feel esteemed and recognized as vital assets to the organization.
Samer also recognizes his responsibility towards the environment. He actively endeavors to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into the company’s business strategy. This commitment entails delivering projects in a manner that prioritizes safety, excellence, and efficiency while adhering to the highest ethical business practices.
For Samer, the happiest part of his daily routine lies in collaborative meetings with various members of his team. These interactions serve as opportunities to exchange ideas and devise comprehensive plans to propel the growth of the business. It is during these moments of shared vision and innovation that Samer derives the greatest satisfaction.
Below are highlights of the interview conducted between World’s Leaders and Samer A. Samad:
Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace.
I would describe myself as a friendly, passionate, empathetic, humble, and transparent person, who loves to extend support and aid others.
Describe your background and what did you do before you started/joined the company.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from New York University Tandon School of Engineering (formerly Polytechnic University) Brooklyn. Followed by earning my Master’s degree in Master of Science in Civil Engineering from New York University, Tandon School of Engineering.
Tell us about the inception of the company. How did it all start?
Nesma & Partners was established as a general building contractor in 1981 as “Nesma & Al Fadl”. Until 2003, Nesma & Partners operated within the scope of 3 affiliated companies, which are:
- Nesma & Al Fadl Contracting Co. Ltd. for civil and building services.
- AGAP Arabia Ltd. for industrial construction services.
- Nesma-Emcor Co. Ltd. for electro-mechanical services.
In 2004, the three companies were merged into Nesma & Partners. The merger aimed to achieve a balanced and more diverse set of business services to clients through a unified and built-in approach and decision-making.
In 2023, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world, announced an investment by subscribing to new shares as part of the capital increases representing significant minority stakes in Nesma & Partners.
What has made you successful? What do you value?
My strategic forward thinking, adaption to change, and striving for excellence are what supported my professional growth. Our Nesma & Partners corporate values drive each of us individually, together as teams, and collectively as a company; Excellence, innovation, diversity, respect, and generating positive contributions for the benefit of business, society, and the environment. Together, we build excellence.
Which are the company’s major services, and how do they get ahead in the competition? What value-added services does the company provide?
We are a Saudi general contractor offering complete in-house engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) solutions for our clients, with our headquarters in Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Operating in three core business lines, Infrastructure, Industrial \ Oil & Gas, and Building, and one growth business line, which is power & renewable, nuclear, and water.
We are a highly respected contractor with 42+ years of track record working for the Kingdom’s most prestigious clients with in-house support capabilities that include plant, machinery & vehicles (PMV), camp operations, permanent central laydowns in Eastern, Western and Central regions, fabrication facilities, and vocational training facilities with multiple curriculums (Nesma High Training Institute).
What are the most important aspects of a company’s culture? What principles do you believe in, and how do you build this culture?
We embrace the cultural and gender diversity of our team, leveraging our people’s different ways of thinking and vastly different experiences as key drivers of organizational innovation and continuous improvement. We are lifelong learners who increase our knowledge daily, creating more success and striving for excellence in everything we do.
The trust and ambitions of our employees, as they develop and grow their careers with us, empower our progress toward a brighter future.
Collaboration with our business and social partners is based on mutual trust and respect and is rooted in our commitment to sustainability. As we move forward as responsible corporate citizens, we position local enrichment as a pillar of our growth strategy. We build this culture by supporting sustainable development in the Kingdom and empowering local talent, businesses, industries, and the Saudi economy.
What is the significance of innovative ideas in the company?
Achieving organizational and economic growth through innovation is key to striving in today’s highly competitive market. At Nesma & Partners, we experiment with new ideas and methodologies and innovate our processes within the guidelines, as innovation is often necessary to adapt and overcome change challenges. We never treat any project like the other. There is something unique about each project we take on, and we rely on our teams’ innovation and creativity to achieve the best outcomes, helping us in the implementation of our innovative ideas throughout our digital transformation process.
Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes.
I believe in our company’s motto: “Together, We Build Excellence”. Leaders’ visions will remain dreams if not supported by a team that translates the vision into reality by breaking it into actions.
What advice would you give someone in a leadership position for the first time?
Inspiring leaders lead by example, show appreciation for their teams, and don’t allow their position of authority to make them feel that they are better than anyone else.
Becoming a great leader requires work, it takes time and effort. You will have some very challenging days; sometimes, you may doubt your ability to lead. Don’t be too hard on yourself, it’s a natural part of the process. Never lose hope, hold onto your faith, and continue your leadership development because every incremental improvement brings you one step closer to becoming an inspirational leader.
It has been proven by multiple studies that humble leaders are the most effective leaders.
