2020 Distinguished Speakers

HE Ihsan Abduljabbar Ismaael Al-Saade

Minister of Oil

Ministry of Oil, Federal Government of Iraq

Mr Ismaael succeeded as the DG of the South Gas Company and brings more than 17 years of experience into the role.

He joined the SOC as an Operation and Shift Engineer at a Gas compressor station, then became a Technical Member in Commercial and Technical Committee at the SOC and afterwards he became the Director of Coordination Office for the Iraqi Ministry of Oil for the South Region. He then made it to Manager for Technical and Coordination in the Department at the SGC and then received the same position at Green Fields Project Department at the BGC. Later on Mr Ismaael made it to the Deputy Director of Project and Engineering Commission at BGC and then became a Member in JMC for Majnoon Field between (2012-2013). Afterwards then he became a member in the Gas Consultant Committee/South Region, before he became the Basra Gas Power and Investment Advisor and Head in Multi Commercial and Technical Committees for the last 10 years. After that position Mr Ismaael became the Basra Gas Company Project Manager between 2013 and 2015. He then became the South Gas Company Director General Assistant from 2015 until 2016 before he joined the South Gas Company as a Director General.

Mr Ismaael graduated with a Chemical Engineering Degree from Basra University in Iraq, achieved and completed a number of training programmes and researched a number of technical papers at the SGC. He speaks both Arabic and English.

Matthew M. Zais

PhD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary

Office of International Affairs, US Department of Energy

Matthew Zais is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of International Affairs at the Energy Department.  Previously, Dr Zais served for two years in the White House as a Director on the National Security Council where, among other responsibilities, he coordinated U.S. interagency efforts to deliver energy independence and advocate for competitive energy markets across the Middle East.  Prior to this role, he served for over two decades as a career Army officer and strategist and his experience includes strategic roles in combating weapons of mass destruction (nuclear, chemical and biological), cyber, and Middle East policy.  He is the co-author of the two-volume official history of the United States Army in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He previously served as an Assistant Professor of International Relations and American Foreign Policy at the United States Military Academy and is currently an adjunct Professor in the Security Studies Program at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. Dr Zais holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MPA and PhD (Security Studies) from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.

HE Matthew H. Tueller

U.S. Ambassador to Iraq

United States Embassy, Iraq

Ambassador Tueller, of the State of Utah, is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service.  His other overseas assignments have included Ambassador to Yemen, Ambassador to Kuwait, Deputy Chief of Mission at Embassy Cairo; Political Minister Counselor at Embassy Baghdad; Deputy Chief of Mission at Embassy Kuwait; Political Counselor at Embassy Riyadh; Chief of the U.S. Office in Aden, Yemen; Deputy Chief of Mission at Embassy Doha; Political Officer at Embassy London; and Political Officer and Consular Officer at Embassy Amman.  His Washington assignments have included Deputy Director in the Office of Northern Gulf Affairs and Egypt Desk Officer.

Ambassador Tueller holds a B.A. from Brigham Young University and a M.P.P. from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.  He was confirmed by the Senate to be Ambassador to Iraq on May 16.  Ambassador Tueller is married to DeNeece Gurney of Provo, Utah and they are parents of five children.

HE Ulric Shannon

Ambassador of Canada to Iraq

Canada

Ulric Shannon (BA Hons [History and Political Science], McGill University, 1997; MA [International Relations], Graduated Diploma in Security Studies, York University, 1998) joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1999. In Ottawa, he has served as director of the Media Relations Office. He also served as the regional Security and Peacekeeping Division and the Eastern and Southern Africa Division. Abroad, Mr Shannon has served as a political and public affairs officer in Cairo, senior political officer in Ramallah and first secretary in Islamabad. He was awarded the department’s foreign-language fellowship to pursue advanced studies in Arabic from 2012 to 2013, and during that time he also served as Canada’s first representative to the Syrian opposition. Since 2016 Mr Shannon has served as Consul General of Canada in Istanbul. Mr Shannon speaks four languages fluently French, English, Arabic, and Turkish.

Ambassador Stephen Hickey

Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Iraq

Baghdad

Stephen Hickey was appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Iraq in September 2019. Prior to this appointment, he was the Ambassador and Political Co-ordinator in the UK Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

Stephen joined the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) in 2001 as a Desk Officer in the South East Asian Department. Some of his previous postings include Deputy Head of Mission to Egypt (2013 to 2015) and Syria (2010 to 2011); Political Counsellor in South Africa (2011 to 2012) and Head of Office and Deputy Special Representative for Libya (2011). He is an Arabic speaker and has made the Middle East a focus of his career.

Hon. MP Nadhim Zahawi

Under-Secretary

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, UK

Nadhim Zahawi MP was elected as the Member of Parliament for Stratford-on- Avon in May 2010. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from University College London.

In 2000 Nadhim co-founded YouGov. As Chief Executive, until running for election in 2010, he floated the company on the London Stock Exchange in 2005 and was named Entrepreneur of the year by Ernst & Young in 2008.

Since becoming an MP, Nadhim has been elected onto the Business Innovation and Skills Select Committee and has sat on the Energy Bill Committee. In the 2013 reshuffle, Nadhim was promoted to the No10. Policy Board. In June 2014, Nadhim was elected to the Foreign

Affairs Select Committee. In 2011 he co-wrote the bestseller Masters of Nothing: The Crash and how it will happen again unless we understand human nature, with fellow Conservative MP Matthew Hancock.

Salem Chalabi

Chairman & President

Trade Bank of Iraq

Salem Chalabi, the chairman and president of the State-owned Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI), Mr Chalabi, a Yale University graduate. Mr Chalabi brings to the role years of experience in business development, strategic planning and forming Iraqi government policies, including involvement in drafting the new Iraqi constitution after 2003. He was appointed General Director of the Iraqi Special Tribunal for Crimes against Humanity in 2004 and worked as an adviser to former Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.

HE Nafaa Abdulsada Ali Al-Hmidawi

Senior Deputy Minister

Ministry of Electricity, Federal Government of Iraq

Mr Al Hmidawi holds a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering  and attended a number of courses related to power and energy both in Iraq and abroad, the last in 2016 is the United States program (IVLP) entitled “Increasing Energy Efficiency”, he held several posts and these include Director of Rusafa Operation Department, Director of Control and Communications department, Assistant General Manager of Baghdad Distribution, Director General of Baghdad Electricity  Distribution, Director General of Energy  Distribution Office, and for the present time Director General of Training and Development Office.

Dr Khalid Al-Yaqoobi

Director General, President of Iraq Office

Iraq Presidency, Federal Government of Iraq

Dr Khalid Al-Yaqoobi is General Director at the Iraqi Presidency Office. From 2008 to 2016 he was adviser at the Iraqi Presidency Office and between 2001 and 2008 he was Adviser for Regional Affairs at high level security committees at the Iraqi National Security Council. He has also worked as a consulting engineer and has over 14 years’ maritime experience at the Iraqi Trade Navy Fleet and international private companies.

Dr Al-Yaqoobi frequently participates in conferences, summits, and political and security symposiums. He has studied Maritime Engineering at the Arabian Gulf Academy for Maritime Studies, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Baghdad, a Master’s degree in Strategic Planning for National Security from the National Defence College as well as a PhD in International and Diplomatic Relations.

Ali Warid Hammood

Director General of DhiQar Oil Company

Ministry of Oil, Federal Government of Iraq

Holds a Bachelor Degree in Engineering - Oil and Mines -University of Baghdad, he held several posts including; a Lecturer at the Technical Institute in Maysan for the period from 1990-1991. Technical Operations Oil Engineer - Water Injection in Southern Oil Company for the period from 1991-to the end of 1991. Joined the Petroleum and Reserves Engineering Department - Fields Commission - Maysan Oil Company for the period 1995-2005 , he became the Director of the distribution of petroleum products in Maysan for the period from 2005-2007 , then the Director General of the Investment Authority in Maysan Governorate for the period from 2007-2008, then became the Director of the Halfaya and Fields Authority - Maysan Oil Company in 2017 , then the Director of the Fields Authority - Maysan Oil Company, he was also a  Member of the Joint Management Committee for the Halfaya field and a Member of the Joint Management Committee of Missan Oilfields as well as the Deputy Head of the Engineers Syndicate - Engineers Syndicate, Maysan Branch then appointed reserve member in the Board of Directors of Maysan Oil Company, he is the General Manager and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dhi Qar Oil Company since 2017.

Currently he is the Director General of the Training and Development Department, in this role he is supervising the Arab Oil Institute as well as the General Director of Training and Development Department – Ministry of Oil, Mr Warid has a wealth of experience spans to 30 years in the Iraqi oil and gas industry.

Husam Hussein Weli

Director General

South Refineries Ministry of Oil, Federal Government of Iraq

Husam H. Weli Mohammed Al Asadi, Director General of the South Refineries, Ministry of Oil, Federal Government of Iraq, holds a BSC in Chemical Engineering from Basra University, Iraq, he worked as an Assistant Engineer at the South Gas Company at the Liquid Separation Plant in North Rumaila, he held several positions including: officer in charge of the Surplus  Gas Section, Manager of the Surplus Gas Department, then the Head of the Committee responsible of the NGL then the Deputy DG of the South Gas Company then the Chairman of the Board of the South Gas Company in April 2016, then in in October 2016 he became the DG of the South Refineries and the Chairman of the Board,   Mr Al Asadi  been awarded with numerous letters of appreciation for his excellent performance.

He attended a number of training industry courses and participated in a number of workshops and Conferences internally and externally.

Sir Jeremy Greenstock

Former UK Ambassador to the United Nations

United Kingdom

Jeremy Greenstock is a former UK Permanent Representative at the United Nations in New York (1998-2003) and UK Special Envoy for Iraq (September 2003-March 2004). The two themes of his diplomatic career were the Middle East and US/Western European Relations. From 2004 to 2010 Sir Jeremy was Director of the Ditchley Foundation and a Special Adviser to the BP Group. From 2011 – 2016 he was Chairman of the UN Association-UK and is now concurrently Chairman of Gatehouse Advisory Partners Ltd and a Member of the Chatham House Council.

Sir William Patey

Former UK Ambassador to Iraq

UK Embassy, Iraq

Sir William Patey KCMG had a long and distinguished career with the British Diplomatic Service including four Ambassadorial postings, with a focus on the Middle East and Africa. Sir William has been the Government and International Affairs Adviser at Control Risks since July 2012. He is a Director at WCP Consultants and Partner at The Ambassador Partnership LLP.

He was appointed Prime Minister’s Envoy for Aviation Security in September 2015. He advises businesses entering and operating in the Gulf region, in particular in the oil and gas sector and financial services and defence industries. He is a Non-Executive Director of HSBC Bank Middle East. He was British Ambassador to Afghanistan until his retirement from HM Diplomatic Service in April 2012.

He also served as British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia (2007-2010), Iraq (2005-2006) and Sudan (2002-2005). He was Head of the Middle East Department in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from 1998-2002. He has also had diplomatic postings in Tripoli, Abu Dhabi and Canberra and served as Deputy Head of the United Nations Department. He was also Non-Executive Chairman at Swindon Town Football Club from October 2012 to February 2013 until the sale of the club to Seebeck97 Ltd in February 2013.

Farid Jadir Sadik Aljadir

Former Director General

North Oil Company / Ministry of Oil, Federal Government of Iraq

Mr Farid Jadir Sadiq Al Jadir was born in Thi-Qar, Iraq in 1954 and graduated from Baghdad University in 1976 with a BSc in Petroluem and Mining Engineering.  Mr Farid has extensive experience in oil & gas wells, drilling & services, completion, well control & fire fighting.

In 1977 Mr Farid started working as a Drilling Engineer for the Iraqi National Oil Company (INOC).  Two years later he joined the Central Petroleum Organisation (CPO) as a Rig Supervisor & Well Servicer.  He performed the same duties for the North Oil Company (NOC) where he eventually became in charge of Well Service & Completion between 1990-1997.  Mr Farid became a manager for the Drilling Well Service Department & Well Control Firefighting between 1997 and 2015. 

In October 2015 until the present date Mr Farid became DG & Chairman of (NOC). 

Petroleum Expert grade (Drilling operations) since 2018 Where he held various positions and responsibilities he was responsible for a large number of technical and contractual committees with (IOC’s).

Dr Falah Al Amri

Former Minister’s Advisor for Oil & Gas Supply Affairs

Ministry of Oil, Federal Government of Iraq

Dr. Falah J. Alamri was born in Iraq, 1953. He received his Ph.D. titled (Marine and Transporting of Oil Cargo) at the Dundee University- College of Law in Scotland, UK. He also received his Masters in International Cargoes Transportation Conventions at Salford University, Manchester, UK. Received his B.S.c. in Economics at the University of Basrah,College of Administration and Economics, 1977.

Iraq’s Governor for Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Director General of Oil Marketing Company (SOMO), Ministry of Oil since 2006 and acted as Director General of the Iraqi Oil Tankers Company (IOTC) from 2004 - 2006 and from 2009 until early 2015.

A member of the National Committee negotiating World Trade Organization (WTO), member of a team responsible in developing Iraqi Gas Sector.

Anne-Laure Kiechel

Founding Partner

Global Sovereign Advisory

Anne-Laure’s experience spans more than 20 years in debt/capital markets and Sovereign Advisory, at both government and SOE levels.

In 2009, she joined Rothschild in Paris, working in the Financial Advisory group. She became Partner in 2014. From 2015 onwards, she focused on Sovereign Advisory matters, a practice she structured and developed before being appointed Global Head.

Anne-Laure started her career at Lehman Brothers in 1999, working in several departments in New York, London, and Paris. She, amongst other activities, headed Lehman Brothers’ Global Finance practice for Northern Europe. In 2019, she founded Global Sovereign Advisory (“GSA”), an independent structure providing holistic advice to States and SOEs on public policy and financial matters. Anne-Laure has advised governments in the Middle East and in Europe, and was an advisor to former Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, between 2016 and 2019.

Dr Husain Al-Chalabi

Petroleum Consultant, Chemical Engineer

Al-Chalabi Consultancy

Dr Al-Chalabi is a UK based International Consultant for the Energy Sector with focus on the feasibility , planning , financial structuring , evaluation and value additions of projects related to the  utilization and/or the processing of  Oil & Gas in the production and/or the generation of fuels , petrochemicals and  power [with or without district heating and cooling].

After obtaining his BSc in Chemical  Engineering from  Imperial College - London University  in 1967, he continued with graduate studies and was awarded the PhD  in  Chemical Engineering from  Imperial College - London University in 1970.

From 1970  till 1990  he gained the professional experience in the Oil & Gas / Petrochemical  Sectors  from his employment  with Shell Canada [ 6 years ] ; Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research & Advisory service  to Ministry of Oil on refinery upgrading projects [ 2 years ];   UOP ( USA &  UK ), the world leader in technology / design / management in the petroleum & petrochemical sectors [ 12 years ].

Since 1990,- Dr Al-Chalabi  has been an independent International Petroleum Consultant  offering, to the Major International & National Oil & Energy companies,  professional  services ranging from strategy development  and/or reviews ; studies ;  planning  ; conceptualization of value added projects ; feasibility studies ; asset and investment evaluations ; contract negotiations ; apportionment ; expert determination ; project financing; financial  structuring of investments ; expert witness.  

Zaid Elyaseri

Head of Country

BP Iraq

Zaid Elyaseri is Country Manager for BP Iraq and responsible for managing BP’s business integration in Iraq where BP is the lead contractor for developing the Rumaila oil field, Iraq’s largest field contributing over 40% of Iraq’s production. Zaid has an MBA in Oil & Gas Management from Aberdeen Business School.

He specialises in commercial and is responsible for driving business agenda in the country and for working with key energy officials in Iraq. Zaid held various central and regional finance/commercial roles and was involved in starting up the Rumaila business. Prior to BP, Zaid worked for KPMG UK and has lead advisory and risk positions in the Middle East. In 2014, Zaid took on the position of BP Iraq Deputy Country Manager and in 2015 was appointed as BP Iraq Country Manager.

Alaa Elshimy

Managing Director & Senior Vice President

Huawei Enterprise Business Group, Middle East

Alaa Elshimy is a visionary and futuristic executive with more than two decades of energetic leadership in established and emerging markets spanning 76 countries across Middle East, Africa and the Mediterranean. He is an expert in creating value and managing complex multi-country P&L’s up to US$7B with 10,000 staff. He is strongly networked worldwide, recognized at all levels of Government and in the corporate world as a credible, ethical and professional business leader.

Alaa is an industry 4.0 and digital transformation expert, his core expertise spans oil and gas, utilities, education, aviation and public sector industries.

Alaa is responsible for driving Huawei’s continued growth in the Region. Prior to joining Huawei, Alaa was the Managing Director and Vice President of HP Middle East, Mediterranean and Africa. 

Alaa studied at Harvard, MIT and London business school and holds an MBA and Bachelor of Communications Engineering. Currently Alaa is a doctorate student at the Swiss business school.

Klaus Schick

Managing Director

ILF Consulting Engineers- Abu Dhabi

Ali H. Khudhier Al-Saady

Former Director General

South Gas Company, Basrah, Ministry of Oil, Federal Government of Iraq

Ali Khudier Al Saady is Chairman of the Joint Management Committee Meeting, with over 40 years of extensive experience in the oil and gas industry, responsible for approving the BGC annual production plans and signing for approval on tenders and purchase orders of $5 million, nominating the BGC Deputy Manager and the O&M Committee Managers from SGC share. As the Director General of the South Gas Company – Ministry of Oil he represents the Ministry of Oil at international meetings, approving the company annual plan for OLM and directing the SGC production activities.

Major achievements include the re-starting of the KAZ LPG/NGL plant after 5 years of it being closed, increasing the daily rate of LPG production from 900 to 2600 ton per day. Refurbishment and starting the dry gas compressor at KAZ after 27 years of its being closed, this compressor added 100 ton per day of LPG and 65 MMSCF/D of dry gas to the network, establishing Basra Gas Co. with Shell and Mitsubishi and West Qurna Oil Fields, recruiting more than 2000 Iraqi nationals, put the plans for the gas utilization project and minimizing new NGL plant in the North Rumail Artawi field.

Raed Hanna

Managing Director

MFL Finance Limited

Raed was born to a business family with ancient roots in Basra. The family however left Basra for the UK in the late 1970’s to exploit multinational business and economic opportunities. Under the stewardship of Raed, the family business has expanded and grown significantly. Raed obtained his BSc and MSc degree from City University in London. He expanded the family business activities in Basra during 2003. Raed has established a very successful business portfolio with multinational companies such as RSK, DYNASAFE BACTEC, Lahmeyer, BB Energy, WPE British Water Company and others. Among services afforded are local support, contacts in all aspects, logistics, representation, procurement, banking expertise including payroll, lending and other related functions. Also 20 years ago, Raed established a finance company in the U.K. called MFL Finance Limited. this is one of the largest finance companies in the U.K. for real estate lending and project finance with over $2 billion of lending during 2018.

Dr Ahmed Ali Attiga

Chief Executive Officer

Arab Petroleum Investment Corporation, APICORP

Dr Attiga’s career and experience span over 25 years in investment management, development finance, private equity, research and teaching. He recently started his new role as CEO of APICORP. Before joining APICORP he was with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group and the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. He was responsible for investment and advisory services activities in the Middle East, overseeing an investment portfolio of over USD 2.7 billion and an advisory program of about USD 200 million.

Dr Attiga has served at the Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank Group in Washington, D.C., as well as a Manager of a Private Equity fund for the State of Wisconsin in the United States of America. He also advised Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) on privatization and restructuring strategies. In his early career, he held teaching and research positions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research.

Dr Attiga is a board member of the Emirates Development Bank and has served on the Royal International Commission to evaluate Jordan’s Privatization Program. He is a Trustee of the Al Aman Fund for the Future of Orphans, chaired by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah, and a member of the Arab Thought Forum among many other various professional affiliations.

Dr Attiga holds three graduate degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison: a PhD in Finance & Development, an MBA, and a Master’s Degree in International Economies. He obtained his BA in Economics (Summa Cum laude) from Kuwait University.

Dr Jehan Baban

Founder & President

The Iraqi Environment and Health Society-UK

Born in Baghdad, Iraq. Graduated with BSc in Chemistry from Mosel University in Iraq and gained MSc, PhD 1980 from University College London (UCL) and Post Graduate Certificate in Education PGCE 2001 from London University, UK. She is a Chartered Chemist & Chartered Scientist from the RSC and an Associate Member of The British Energy Institute, Oil, Gas and Energy sections, an active member of The British Institute of Energy Economics, a member of the International Water Association and on the Executive Committee, London Regional of The Society of Chemical Industry SCI. She is a member of the Environment, Health and Safety of The Royal Society of Chemistry RSC. She has worked for many years at Christopher Ingold Laboratory UCL, London as a Senior Research Assistant and has gave many tutorials, lectures, supervision and led projects to undergraduate and postgraduates PhD students. In 1989 she has worked as a Research Fellow at The Thromboses Research Institute, The Royal Pompton Hospital in London, awarded by the Medical Research Council. From 2001- 2014 she has worked as a lecturer in many Educational Institutions and Colleges in London including Head of Science position. She had published over 70 Scientific Research papers, Patent, presentations, editor of a book on Environmental Pollution in Iraq 2017 and an author of a book on Climate Change in Iraq (will be published soon), and articles in Iraqi newspapers. Her current studies are on the impact of chemicals and radioactive pollutions on the environment and public health in Iraq, climate change in Iraq and on the implementation of a new sustainable renewable energy and environmental technologies in Iraq. And on promoting and enhancing environmental education in Iraqi schools, colleges and universities.  She is the Founder and President of The Iraqi Environment and Health Society -UK (2015) and organized and led many scientific conferences on environmental pollution in Iraq, at University College London.

MP Dr Beriwan Al-Khailany

Former MP

Federal Government of Iraq

Currently working as a member of the Advisory Board/ Ministry of Higher Education, Federal Government of Iraq.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Baghdad University in 1976 and a PhD degree in Geology (Oil Exploration) from University College London (UCL)/ England in 1985. She had taught post-graduate courses and supervised master’s degree and doctoral students in the field of stratigraphy, ecology, engineering geology and rock mechanics in Baghdad and Al-Nahrain Universities. Her research interests include oil exploration, industrial geology and applied geology. She became a Member of Iraqi Parliament (third term) 2014-2018 and worked as a Member of Higher Education Parliamentary Committee.

Worked as a Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research with the Central Government in Baghdad from April 2004 to August 2007, worked as a visiting Professor at Oklahoma University/ College of Earth and Energy from August 2007 to January 2008 and as an Advisor to the Minister of Higher Education in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) from 2008-2014.

She has an extensive teaching, research and publishing experience in the field of Oil exploration and Ore Mineralogy in Iraq. Worked with UNESCO in the fields of teacher training, National Strategy for Education and Higher Education. She had also worked as a head of Iraqi Hydrocarbon Experts Committee – Oklahoma University.

She had participated in a number of academic conferences and workshops for revitalization of Iraqi Higher Education and as a keynote speaker in many international higher education conferences. Those conferences were centered on such subjects as short term professional training in higher education, pedagogical studies and E- learning.

Dr Carole Nakhle

Chief Executive Officer

Crystol Energy

Dr Carole Nakhle is the founder and CEO of Crystol Energy (UK). She is a recognized international authority on global energy issues, in particular in the fields of oil and gas markets, energy policy, governance, regulation, fiscal regimes, and contractual arrangements. Dr Nakhle has worked with oil and gas companies at the executive level, governments and policy makers, international organizations, academic institutions, and specialized think tanks on a global scale. In addition to her commercial role, she lectures, among others, at the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University and the University of Surrey. She is a sought-after commentator on energy and geopolitics in the press. She founded the not-for-profit organization ‘Access for Women in Energy’ in 2007, with the aim of promoting the development of women in the energy sector.

Herman Wang

Senior Writer, Oil News

S&P Global Platts

Herman Wang is a London-based senior writer, oil news, for S&P Global Platts, reporting on OPEC and the Middle East. He covers OPEC’s semi-annual ministerial meetings in Vienna, and is the principal editor for Platts’ closely followed monthly OPEC production survey. Prior to this, he was a senior editor for Platts based on Washington, D.C., covering U.S. energy policy. He was a co-creator and co-host of Platts Capitol Crude, The US Oil Policy Podcast, which won the 2015 Jesse H. Neal Award for best webcast. Herman is a Northwestern University alum and worked for daily newspapers in Tennessee, North Carolina and Pennsylvania before joining Platts in 2009.

Hama-Ameen Hasan Hawramany

Adviser to the Minister

Ministry of Electricity, Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq

HASAN, graduated in Power Engineering from University of Technology-Baghdad, Independent consultant, he has been working for more than 22 years in Power Plants, he involved and experienced in the power project planning, construction, operation & maintenance, further than implementation of deferent power projects and utility infrastructure.

He is a hydropower & renewable energy expert, from 2006 member of Advisory Board for the Ministry of Electricity-Kurdistan, and Ministers Advisor since May 2010.

International Experience: From 1997-2003 he worked with United Nation Development Program for Electricity Northern Rehabilitation Program-Iraq as Lead Engineer, Expert and Manager, and also two years as Lead Engineer for Washington Group International for electricity sector infrastructure development- Iraq.

He was representing the sector in Economic Reforms and Technical Assistance by the World Bank, JICA-ODA Loans, UNDP, KOICA, and USAID...etc, and participated in several international energy sector activities, conferences as speaker.

Recently he is spokesperson for the Ministry, advisor and member of the Board of Higher Commission of Environmental Protection and Improvement of Kurdistan region since 2006, and also consultant member of Iraqi & Kurdistan Engineering Syndicate.

Ahmed Mehdi

Research Associate

Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (OIES)

David Taylor

Director Global Division

RSK Group

Mr Taylor has a Master degree in marine geology and over 40 years of experience in engineering and environmental geology and geophysics for marine and land-based projects. Mr Taylor is responsible for business development in RSK’s global division, with specific focus on the Middle East, Africa and former Soviet Union. His particular experience in Iraq includes project managing environmental and social baseline and impact assessment studies as well as the operations of a sustainable waste management centre in the Rumaila oilfield. In addition, he project manages health, safety and environmental due diligence projects for a range of clients including oil majors.

Dr Leila Benali

Chief Economist, Energy Economics, Strategy and Sustainability

Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP)

Dr. Benali has over 20 years of specialized experience in strategic planning, finance and engineering. She joined from Saudi Aramco where she was responsible for the company’s energy policy and gas strategy.  Throughout her career, she has successfully managed several high-value projects, and spearheaded strategy and policy formulation for governments, energy companies, industrials and institutional investors.  Dr. Benali also served as a Director at IHS CERA (Cambridge Energy Research Associates), now IHS Markit, and has also worked for Schlumberger. She taught energy courses in universities and is an active member of several leading energy associations.

As an engineer turned economist, with a background in political science, she has published numerous papers and books on energy, reforms and sustainable wealth. She was named as “Future Leader 2016” by Petroleum Economist, recognizing individuals who are most likely to shape the industry’s future.

Dr. Benali holds a Master of Science degree in Political Science and a PhD Summa Cum Laude in Energy Economics from the Institute d’Etudes Politiques, France.

Dr Ranj Alaaldin

Research Fellow

Brookings Institution

Dr Michael Knights

Head, Iraq/KRG Programme

Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Dr Michael Knights heads the Iraq/KRG programme at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Focusing on Iraq and the KRG, he has worked as an adviser to government, the oil and gas sector and the military for the last fifteen years. He has spent significant amounts of his career forward-deployed in Iraq, working in most of the country’s hundred districts and engaging with local stakeholders to understand their priorities.

Shawki Al-Khalisi

Head of Studies

Arab Petroleum Training Institute, OAPEC

Mr Al-Khalisi is Head of Studies in the Arab Petroleum Training Institute of the Organization of the Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) and a private consultant on the Iraqi oil sector. Prior to this he was a senior consultant at the Iraqi Ministry of Oil. He has been involved in several high-profile committees, including the Iraqi Oil Sector Strategic Planning Committee and the Transfer of Technology in the Energy Sector Committee. Mr Al-Khalisi has also worked in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna, where he was involved in crude oil evaluation and refining studies.

He started his career in the Daura refinery in Baghdad where he worked as Refinery Manager. He then joined the State Industrial Design and Consultation Company which specializes in the design, implementation and management of refineries and petrochemical and fertilizer projects. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and a post-graduate diploma in Development Planning.

Mohammed Hashim

Senior Expert

Ministry of Electricity, Federal Government of Iraq

Mohammed Hashim Jaafar Al-Araji gained a B.Sc of Electrical Engineering in 1977; and in 1979 became Assistant Engineer, Directorate of Electricity Distribution Maysan. Between 1979 and 2003 he held several positions – Engineer, Official Implementation of the Projects; Senior Engineer, Technical Officer; Chief Engineer, Deputy Director; Director; and Expert- Director. In 2006 he became Deputy Director, Electricity Distribution in the South; and in 2009, Export-General Directorate of Training and Development – in 2011 he was promoted to Director of Experts.

In June 2011, Mohammed Hashim Jaafar Al-Araji became Director General of South electricity distribution company till March 2014, and on June 2016 became Director General of electric energy office - Iraq’s ministry of electricity till June 2018.

Some of Mr Al-Araji’s outstanding achievements include the design and implementation of the lines of modern lighting, electrical networks and the implementation of the lighting within the campaigns of modern reconstruction of Basra, FAO, Uzayr and Ali-alsharqi cities.

Dr Falah Al-Attar

Associate Director

Renewable Energy Directorate, Ministry of Science and Technology, Federal Government of Iraq

Dr. Falah joined Renewable Energy Directorate in 2009 and he has held director of solar energy research center with renewable energy research and development that implemented on  locals PV solar power plant stations  in low and medium scale in Iraq.

Supervisor for more than 30 student MSc and PhD in renewable energy field and Published more than 50 Papers in National and international Journals. He is Member of International Renewable Energy Congress (IREC) from 2012-2019.

Falah AL-Attar is Associate Director of Renewable Energy Directorate, Ministry of Science and Technology in Baghdad, Iraq, he assumed his current position in May 2018.

Dr. Falah is a 2009 graduate from the University of Panjab in Chandigarh, India with a Ph.D. in Physics (Solar Energy).

Adel Hamaizia

Committee Vice-Chairman

Oxford Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies

Adel Hamaizia is an independent consultant advising governments and private sector on and across the GCC and North Africa with a focus on political risk, economic development, and public diplomacy issues. Adel is Committee Vice-Chairman of the Oxford Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Forum (OxGAPS) where he is the Co-Editor of OxGAPS’ thematic-quarterly, “Gulf Affairs”. He is a researcher at the University of Oxford, where he focuses on the Political Economy of the Middle East, and where he teaches Middle East Politics. Adel is also an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Senior Advisor at Aldwych Policy Group.

Peter Martin

Principal Economist

Wood Mackenzie

Peter joined Wood Mackenzie in September 2010, initially covering European energy markets before moving to the Macroeconomics research team in 2011.

Responsible for producing Wood Mackenzie’s macroeconomic outlook to 2040, Peter is experienced in forecasting key macroeconomic metrics: GDP, Industrial Production, fx, and inflation.

Peter regularly develops macroeconomic scenarios and sensitivity analysis, examples include Brexit, Covid-19, European banking crisis, and trade wars. Special interests include the fiscal stability of oil producing economies in the Middle East and Africa and the de-dollarization of commodity markets.

Prior to joining Wood Mackenzie, Peter was an energy analyst at Iberdrola. In this role he was responsible for providing technical and fundamental analysis of European energy markets to the trading desk.

Peter holds a MA (Hons) in Economics from the University of Glasgow and an MSc in Economic Management and Policy from Strathclyde Business School.

Alan Walker

Research Analyst, Middle East Upstream

Wood Mackenzie

Alan started in the oil and gas industry in 2005 as a M/LWD engineer with Schlumberger. After three years he transitioned to Directional Drilling, working in the North Sea. In 2011 he joined Baker Hughes on an international contract, working in Turkey and Israel before returning to support the European region. His final rotation was in Saudi Arabia.

Returning to academia in 2017, Alan graduated with distinction from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh with a MSc in Petroleum Engineering.

Alan joined Wood Mackenzie in late 2018. He is responsible for updating and maintaining economic models and analytical reports for Iran and the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

Niamh McBurney

Head of MENA Risk Insight

Verisk Maplecroft

Niamh McBurney is head of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) practice at Verisk Maplecroft. She is the analyst responsible for Iraq and Oman and provides research support on other countries in the GCC and Lebanon. Prior to joining Verisk Maplecroft, Niamh worked for Eurasia Group and later led AKE International’s coverage of political, economic and security risks in the Middle East and North Africa. Niamh has published in Gulf States Newsletter and the Jamestown Terrorism Monitor. She holds regionally-focused BA and MA degrees from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

Ian Thom

Research Director

Wood Mackenzie

Since joining Wood Mackenzie in 2005, Ian has been involved in analysing the oil and gas industries of the Middle East, UK, Russia and Caspian regions.  Ian is currently responsible for Wood Mackenzie's Iraq upstream analysis. Ian is widely involved in regional oil and gas sector consulting projects, including opportunity screening studies, asset valuations, regional overviews, regional strategy studies and a number of major gas marketing projects.

Ian's previous positions included a role as a Research Fellow at the University of St Andrews. Ian graduated from St Andrews University, in 2004, with a PhD in Physical Chemistry.