We have strong support

Omar AL BALUSHI joined Sohar Aluminium Company LLC (SA) in 2005, a Greenfield Aluminium smelter which is a Joint Venture between OQ Group, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC – TAQA and Rio Tinto Alcan. Omar is a professional with more than 21 years of experience in high profile industries handling several key responsibilities that vary from managing and localising projects to running and delivering 24/7 operational production targets. Omar holds a Bachelor’s degree in information system from Sultan Qaboos University and Postgraduate (MBA program) from University of Leister UK.

At SA, he led the team to a turnaround in performance of the production line to achieve a first quartile benchmark compared with other smelters using the same technology. Currently, Omar manages the Casthouse & Port department with a team of more than 200 employees and direct contractors.

Dr. Qasim Al Mamari is currently the Director of Scholarship Management at Takatuf Oman, a state-owned enterprise which manages the Oman Scholars Programme; an elite scholarship scheme. Dr. Qasim holds a degree and a Master of Science in Information Technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, USA and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the RMIT University in Melbourne.

He is a passionate educator who worked in local and international education for 18 years and led many education programs and initiatives such as the establishment of the Technology Transfer Office and the initial stages of establishing the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Suhar.

Dr. Qasim is a goal-oriented and result-driven professional who understands both the education and corporate worlds. His vision for ABIS is to become the first boarding school in North Al Batinah.

Faisal Al Balushi is an accomplished business leader with over two decades of experience driving transformation across finance, operations, technology, and human capital. A graduate of Sultan Qaboos University, Faisal began his career in the public sector before moving into senior leadership roles in the private sector. He has successfully operated in complex industrial and corporate environments, combining strategic vision with operational excellence.

His career spans critical functions such as manufacturing, maintenance, HSE, engineering, and quality, where he served at the executive level as Director of Operations. Faisal has also led corporate services, including Finance, HR, Supply Chain, and IT as Director of Corporate Support Services. As Chief People & Technology Officer at OQ RPI, Faisal has spearheaded enterprise-wide initiatives in digital transformation, talent strategy, and organizational culture, delivering measurable improvements in business efficiency, leadership development, and workforce engagement. His governance credentials include serving as Board Secretary, contributing to board sub-committees, and Advisory committees across Oman and the GCC.

Faisal Al Balushi currently sits on the Board of Jusoor Foundation, reinforcing his commitment to sustainability and social impact. Recognized for aligning business strategy with execution, Faisal brings a proven ability to steer organizations toward growth, resilience, and future readiness.

Mohammed Al Kaabi, has nearly 25 years of experience in finance and organizational leadership roles. Mohammed holds a B.Sc. in Accounting from Sultan Qaboos University. Over the course of his career, Mohammed has taken on multiple leadership roles in the government and energy sector.

Mohammed began his career at the Ministry of Finance, serving as Financial Investments Section Head. He joined OQ RPI in 2005, where he has held a range of senior positions, including Head of Accounting Services and Finance Projects, General Manager, Financial Controller, Vice President of Global Business Services, and, currently, Vice President of Financial Control at OQ RPI. His expertise spans financial reporting, project accounting, governance and control, risk management, business continuity, as well as tax and treasury activities.

Mohammed has served as a Board Member of OQ Logistics and Abraj Energy Services.

Ricardo Fontes Santana was the Chief Financial Officer of Sohar Aluminium Company L.L.C. since January 2023, responsible for Finance, IT and Supply Chain.

Ricardo holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the State University of Rio de Janeiro, and an MBA in Finance and Controlling from the Universidade Federal Fluminense. He is also a Kellogg School of Management’s Scholar in Executive Development Programme and Strategic Marketing Communications, certified in Investor Relations by the UK’s IR Society, and trained as a Board Member at The Corporate Governance Institute in Brazil and as a Non-Executive Director at The Corporate Governance Institute in Portugal.

During his career he held senior executive finance positions in global companies in Brazil, Australia, Singapore, and The Netherlands with diverse and multi-functional teams across multiple tax jurisdictions. He held leadership positions in global companies such as Essilor, BHP Billiton, TIM, BearingPoint Consulting, and Shell.

Richard has supported the school in organising the hiring of the new Head of School and was also a parent at school. He is a strong supporter of International Baccalaureate programmes.

Jerry has supported the school through the transition process from a small school through a leading school in the region that ABIS has become. He is a strong supporter of International Baccalaureate programmes, and has a keen interest in international education.

For over 10 years, Aneseri has been a supporter of ABIS and has worked hard on behalf of the school in a huge range of areas. Her legal understanding and acumen help the school navigate the complex environment of expansion.