Saudi business services group Proven appoints Omer Saleem as CEO

Saudi-headquartered outsourcing services group Proven has installed Omer Saleem as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Having already served as Chief Financial Officer (since 2016) and Deputy CEO (since 2020), Omer Saleem was the clear favourite to ascend to the top role, a feat that now has been formalised during Proven’s recent board meeting.

Founded in 2009 in Riyadh, Proven provides outsourcing services across three lines of business: corporate services, human resources, and marketing. Former investment banker (including at Goldman Sachs) Saleem has been with the company since 2016, playing an integral role in its growth journey.

Over the last seven years, Proven has grown from a 40-strong team focused on the Saudi market to a 120-strong team across six locations in the Middle East, Asia and the Americas.

“Thanks to Omer’s invaluable international experience and knowledge, the company has grown steadily since he joined us in 2016. He has proven himself a perfect fit for the Proven culture, carries the same core values and start-up passion of Proven’s existing leadership, and is the perfect person to lead our company’s growth going forward,” said Zaid Al Mashari, who founded Proven in 2009 and serves as the CEO of the group above Proven.

Other companies under the Proven group are: Proven Consult, Servhub, Proven Robotics, Proven Reality, proven Solution, and flagship and namesake brand, Proven. Most of these standalone businesses have over the years been spun-off from Proven, with Saleem closely involved.

Saleem brings extensive experience to his new role. He began his career in the investment sector, accumulating experience at some of the biggest players in the industry including Goldman Sachs, Credit Agricole and State Street. He then moved on to private equity, before joining Proven as its Chief Financial Officer.

“I’m excited to continue my journey with Proven with the expanded responsibilities that come with being CEO. The firm is ideally positioned to continue its growth journey, and I look forward to working closely with my colleagues to realise the company’s strategic objectives,” said Saleem.

Omer Saleem holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.