Khalid Murshed is the Group Chief Operations Officer at e&. Prior to this, he served as Chief Executive Officer of the Group’s enterprise and digital transformation vertical. With over 26 years of experience in the MENA telecom industry, he brings a wealth of expertise in technology leadership and operational excellence.

During his tenure as Chief Technology & Information Officer (CTIO) of e& UAE, Khalid spearheaded several groundbreaking achievements, including the deployment of the region’s first enhanced 5G Standalone network and achieving the world’s fastest 5G speeds of 30.5Gbps and aggregated 5G-Advanced speed of 62Gbps. Under his leadership, e& UAE also set benchmarks in completing trials of ultra-high-speed optical solutions and net-zero 5G Massive MIMO site deployments at COP28, aligned with the Group’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.

He joined e& in 2013 as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for e& Egypt, where he played a critical role in launching the 4G network alongside various mobile networks, establishing the company as the second leading telco in Egypt. Following this, he assumed the role of e& UAE’s CTIO in January 2022. He later went on to lead the Group’s enterprise and digital transformation portfolio as CEO, where he drove the expansion of advanced digital solutions and platforms, including securing Tier-S Dubai AI Seal certification as an AI provider and introducing the UAE Sovereign Launchpad.

Prior to joining e&, Khalid held leadership roles at Emirates Telecommunications Company (du) as Vice President Mobile Access Network and at Mobily as Director of Network Development, where he was instrumental in overseeing the development and optimisation of mobile networks.

Drawing upon his technological expertise, strategic vision, and deep understanding of industry trends, Khalid now drives operational excellence across the Group, supporting the execution of strategic priorities and strengthening performance across markets.

Khalid holds a bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering from Khalifa University in the UAE.

Ali Al Mansoori, the Group Chief People & Culture Officer of e&, joined in 2022 after almost 25 years in senior roles spanning the government, telecommunications, and aviation sectors.

Ali is a seasoned Human Resources leader with vast experience in turning business visions into impactful initiatives that fuel growth, profitability and an energetic corporate culture. He is a trusted partner to all his stakeholders and a champion for employee engagement.

At e&, Ali leads the talent strategy and HR functions, driving business growth and operational excellence. He has been instrumental in e& continually exceeding its Emiratisation targets set by the NAFIS Programme and Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC). Under his leadership, the number of Emirati nationals employed in e& UAE’s operations stands at 53 per cent of its total workforce, the highest in the company’s history.

In his previous telecom roles, Ali led transformative projects that reshaped the landscape of the organisation. He established a comprehensive operating model and people fitment initiative and played a crucial role in establishing the UAE's first contact centre in Fujairah, entirely staffed by Emirati nationals.

Ali's expertise extends across the entire HR spectrum, encompassing diverse areas like people strategy, talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, learning & development, and organisational development. He possesses a deep understanding of international HR laws and best practices, ensuring compliance and operational excellence within every team he leads. Ali's commitment to nurturing talent was exemplified by his creation of ‘du University’, a digital learning platform designed to empower employees with critical skills and knowledge. Additionally, initiatives like the Bedaya and Tamayaz talent pools showcase his dedication to fostering Emirati talent pipelines and driving nationalisation efforts.

Ali's exceptional leadership and dedication have been consistently recognised. His outstanding contributions to Emiratisation efforts resulted in consecutive awards in 2018 and 2019. Under his leadership, e& has solidified its position as a leading employer in the region. This is evidenced by the successful conclusion of the fifth cohort of the AI Graduate Programme, e&’s flagship initiative that nurtures future leaders to drive the digital future, winning ‘Employer of the Year’ at the GCC GOV HR Awards for three consecutive years since 2022, and ranking as the ‘Top Global Telecom Employer’ in the Employer Brand Index 2024.

Ali is a dynamic and results-oriented leader who thrives in environments of change and complexity, positioning people at the forefront of industry innovation with a strong focus on future-ready skills, particularly in AI. Under his leadership, e& partnered with Ericsson to launch Excelerate& to build Emirati tech talent, while the Bidayati programme attracted more than 200 students and expanded to expatriate students in the UAE for the first time.

A key part of e&’s transformation was a comprehensive culture change initiative led by Ali. Understanding that the shift to a tech-driven organisation required a new mindset, he championed a culture of innovation, agility and collaboration and introduced new values that emphasise continuous learning, inclusivity and a growth mindset, ensuring all employees are aligned with the company’s new direction. This cultural shift has resulted in higher employee engagement, increased collaboration across global teams, and a stronger, more unified organisational identity.

With Ali leading the people function, there has been a significant overhaul of HR systems, incorporating sophisticated digital tools that reflect the company's values and focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). He has created a long-term strategic approach to ensure that e& is able to achieve gender diversity and establish an environment that champions inclusivity. With the aim of increasing women in tech, Ali has introduced several initiatives such as ‘She Leads’, which supports and empowers female leaders to develop the critical skills required to help women succeed on their leadership journey. He also drives the inclusion agenda for e&, focusing on ensuring its stores and office buildings are inclusive and accessible for People of Determination.

His focus on creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture has made e& a top global employer and a certified Great Place to Work®, with the company recognised for its employee well-being, diversity initiatives, and career development opportunities. Ali's commitment to social responsibility and his dedication to inspiring and empowering future generations extend beyond the walls of corporate offices. He actively contributes to the community as a committee member of Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) and established and chaired the Youth Council at his previous employer.

Ali is passionate about building high-performing teams, unlocking human potential and shaping organisational success through strategic HR leadership. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management from the Canadian University of Dubai and a Higher Diploma in Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering from the UK.

Borja Lopez is the Group Chief Strategy Officer (GCSO) of e&. With over 25 years of experience across telecommunications, digital services, investments, and start-ups, he brings a strong combination of strategic insight, operational leadership, and entrepreneurial expertise to the Group’s 2030+ agenda.

Since joining e& in 2022, Borja has led the strategy function for e& UAE, where he has been responsible for shaping the company’s strategic direction and aligning priorities across business units to support long-term growth. In his previous role as Chief Strategy Officer, he played a key role in  strategic planning, evaluating new business opportunities, and driving synergies and value creation across the business verticals and OpCos. As GCSO, he will guide the delivery of the Group’s ambitious plan, including advancing AI-led telco operations, close-to-core adjacencies, strategic investments and international expansion.

Prior to e&, Borja built extensive international experience across Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. He began his career at Accenture in Spain before moving to Delta Partners in 2007, where he advised leading telecom, media, and technology operators on strategy, go-to-market models, and operational optimisation.

He later moved into investment and entrepreneurial roles, working with Dar and Verny Capital in Kazakhstan, where he led strategy development, M&A activity, and the expansion of telecom and digital assets across the region. During this time, he also served on the boards of telecom operators within the VEON Group and became an active investor in technology and digital ventures.

Borja subsequently returned to Delta Partners, where he became a Partner, continuing to advise operators across the Middle East and Africa on growth strategy, commercial transformation, and performance improvement.

Borja holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a degree in Market Research and Techniques from Universidad Pontificia Comillas (ICADE) in Spain. 

Ilya Kiykov is the Group Chief Corporate Development Officer at e&, responsible for driving the Group's corporate development agenda, including mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments, partnerships, portfolio optimisation, and value creation initiatives that support e&'s growth as a global technology group.

With more than 20 years of experience across investment banking, corporate finance, M&A, telecommunications, and technology, he brings extensive expertise in executing complex transactions and shaping long-term growth strategies.

Since joining e& in 2023 as Head of M&A, Ilya has played a key role in advancing the Group's international expansion strategy. He has led the planning and execution of strategic transactions across multiple markets, supporting e&'s transformation from a regional telecommunications operator into a diversified global technology group.

Prior to joining e&, Ilya served as Head of M&A at VEON, where he was responsible for evaluating and executing strategic investments, portfolio management initiatives, and corporate transactions across the its international footprint. In this role, he worked closely with senior leadership on growth opportunities, capital allocation, and shareholder value creation.

Before moving into corporate leadership, Ilya spent more than twelve years at Morgan Stanley, where he progressed to Executive Director. Based in London, he advised leading telecommunications, technology, and digital companies, as well as private equity investors, on mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments, capital markets transactions, and corporate finance matters across Europe, the Middle East, and emerging markets.

Earlier in his career, Ilya worked at PwC, developing a strong foundation in financial advisory, transaction services, and corporate finance.

Drawing on his deep transaction experience, strategic perspective, and international market expertise, Ilya plays a pivotal role in identifying new growth opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and supporting e&'s long-term value creation objectives across global markets. He also serves on the Management Board of e& PPF Telecom Group, helping guide the strategic direction and governance of one of e&'s most significant international investments in Europe.

Ilya holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and is a CFA charterholder.

Khaled Al Tenaiji is the Chief Legal & Compliance Officer at e&, where he leads the Group's legal, compliance, governance, ethics, and regulatory affairs functions across its international footprint.

In this role, he supports the Group's strategic priorities by enabling responsible growth, strengthening governance frameworks, managing legal and regulatory risk, and ensuring compliance across a rapidly evolving global technology landscape. With more than 23 years of experience at e&, he brings deep expertise in telecommunications law, corporate governance, regulatory affairs, litigation, compliance, and international business.

Prior to assuming his current role, Khaled served as Chief Legal Officer of e& UAE and General Counsel, where he was responsible for overseeing legal strategy, corporate governance, regulatory matters, commercial transactions, and dispute resolution. Throughout his tenure, he has played a central role in supporting major investments, strategic transactions, partnerships, and business initiatives across the Group.

Since joining e& in 2001 as Senior Legal Counsel, Khaled has held a series of progressively senior leadership positions within the legal function, including Vice President Legal. He has advised the organisation on complex legal, regulatory, corporate, commercial, intellectual property, labour, and telecommunications matters across multiple jurisdictions, while supporting the Group's international expansion and transformation agenda.

Khaled has also played a key role in strengthening governance and compliance practices across the organisation. Under his leadership, the legal and compliance function has advanced its approach to emerging risks, including ESG obligations, data privacy, cybersecurity, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence, while continuing to support innovation, strategic growth, and stakeholder trust.

Drawing on his extensive legal expertise and deep understanding of the telecommunications and technology sectors, Khaled works closely with executive leadership, boards, and regulators to help ensure that e& continues to operate with integrity, transparency, and accountability while delivering on its long-term strategic ambitions.

Khaled holds a Bachelor's Degree in Law from United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), a Master's Degree from the University of Wollongong, and has completed executive education in Organisational Leadership at INSEAD. He is also a certified commercial arbitrator and a licensed lawyer before UAE courts.

With over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications and information technology sector, Nezar has held several senior leadership positions in major organizations. He previously served as CEO of stc Bahrain and was the CEO of a business unit within the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri). Additionally, he has a history with Mobily, having served as an Executive General Manager, and has also held key roles at The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Holy Mosque and a subsidiary of the Saudi Water Authority.

Nezar holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Umm Al-Qura University and has completed several executive programs at Cambridge University and London Business School. He is also a graduate of the Executive Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Born in Casablanca on November 12, 1961, Mohamed Benchaaboun is a graduate of the École Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications in Paris.
He has been Chairman of the Management Board of Maroc Telecom since March 1, 2025.

Benchaaboun began his professional career at Alcatel Alsthom Maroc, before being appointed Director of the Customs and Indirect Tax Administration in 1996.

In 1999, he joined Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) as Chief Operating Officer, and in 2003 he became head of the Agence Nationale de Réglementation des Télécommunications (ANRT).

In 2008, he was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BCP Group, a position he held for 10 years, consolidating its influence in Morocco and across Africa.

In August 2018, he was appointed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI as Minister of the Economy and Finance, then as Ambassador of Morocco to France in 2021, before becoming Head of the Mohammed VI Investment Fund in 2022.
An active member of non-profit organisations and institutions, Benchaaboun is a director of banks and companies and also serves on the boards of the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity and the Mohammed VI Foundation for the Protection of the Environment.

He was also a member of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, Chairman of the Confédération Internationale des Banques Populaires from 2012 to 2015, Chairman of the Francophone Telecommunications Regulatory Network (FRATEL) from 2005 to 2006 and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Maroc Telecom from 2018 to 2021.

Balesh Sharma is the CEO of e&PPF Telecom Group and has led the PPF Group’s TMT operations since July 2022. He joined PPF following two decades at Vodafone, where he held senior management roles in several countries.

He served as CEO of Vodafone India where he oversaw the merger of Vodafone and Idea, and more recently was Managing Director of Vodacom South Africa leading its transformation into a digital solutions company.