HE Khalid Al Falih The last 12 months have seen Saudi Arabia’s minister of petroleum and mineral resources really step into his stride after prolonging an oil bargain with Russia and other OPEC members to maintain production cuts that have seen Bent crude prices rise from $55 a barrel to nearly $70. Beyond this he has spearheaded Saudi Arabia’s… The last 12 months have seen Saudi Arabia’s minister of petroleum and mineral resources really step into his stride after prolonging an oil bargain with Russia and other OPEC members to maintain production cuts that have seen Bent crude prices rise from $55 a barrel to nearly $70. Beyond this he has spearheaded Saudi Arabia’s industrial strategy as chairman of national mining company Ma’aden, which is undergoing major expansion of its aluminium and phosphate production capabilities, overseen bidding for the first solar project under a $50bn renewable energy drive and driven the kingdom’s ambitions in nuclear energy with the first step in a multi-billion-dollar tender competition for two nuclear power plants. This is without even mentioning his role at state oil giant Saudi Aramco (where he was CEO from 2009 to 2015), which is planning the world’s largest initial public offering in the second half of this year. Chairman, Aramco / Ma’aden Origin:KSA Residence:KSA Sector:Energy