Erik Belfrage, joined the Investor AB Group in 1987 as Personal Advisor to Chairman Emeritus Dr. Peter Wallenberg and as Senior Vice President, SEB Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken. He was appointed Director of Investor AB in 1997. Since 2005 he also serves as Senior Advisor to the Chairman of Investor AB, Jacob Wallenberg and the Chairman of SEB, Marcus Wallenberg. Obtaining his MBA at the Stockholm School of Economics in 1969, he then started his career at Sal Oppenheim et Co in Cologne before entering the Swedish Diplomatic Service in 1970 where he served until 1987. He has served in Geneva, Washington, Bucharest, Beirut and Paris. Erik Belfrage is also Chairman of the Board of the International Council of Swedish Industry, the Sigtuna School (SSHL), and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Commission on Business in Society. He is vice Chairman of the ICC Finance Committee. Mr Belfrage is a member of the Board of Saab and The Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS). He is a member of the Trilateral Commission and an Associate at the European Round Table (ERT).

Abdullatif A. Al-Othman is Saudi Aramco’s Senior Vice President of Finance Business Line which covers the Controllers, the Treasurers, and the General Auditing functions. Mr. Al-Othman has over 20 years of experience in planning and managing oil and gas projects, and he was the Vice President of Saudi Aramco Affairs, responsible for Government and Public Relations before he takes over his current post. He has participated in the execution of various major hydrocarbon projects for Saudi Aramco, including Gas Gathering, Ras Tanura Refinery modernization project, Ju‘aymah rebuild project, Marjan completion and Ras Tanura Refinery upgrade projects. Abdullatif functioned also as manager of the Project Support and Controls Department in the Project Management organization, and as manager of Contract Review and Cost Compliance in Finance. He served as well as manager of Business Analysis in Corporate Planning and manager of Crude Oil Sales and Marketing in International Operations. He has a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Petroleum and Minerals (1979) and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from MIT Sloan School of Management (1998). In 1997 Mr. Al Othman served as President of Project Management Institute – Arabian Gulf Chapter. Mr. Al Othman is also a member of the International Association of Energy Economics, and he is a certified TQM facilitator.

Mr Kirkpatrick is presently Acting Head of the Corporate Affairs Division of the OECD’s Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs where he has worked since 2003. He was responsible for overseeing the review of the Principles of Corporate Governance and in bringing into the review process the experience gained from the Regional Corporate Governance Roundtables organised in cooperation with the World Bank. Following completion of the review of the Principles, he was responsible for development of the Methodology to assess the implementation status of the Principles. Mr Kirkpatrick has worked on corporate governance issues in the banking sector and is a member of the Basel Committee’s Corporate Governance Task to revise its Core Principles covering the corporate governance of banks. He has been responsible for monitoring developments in OECD countries and in analyzing implementation issues concerning the Principles. Recent work includes an overview of corporate governance issues raised by the financial crisis (The Corporate Governance Lessons of the Financial Crisis) and the lesson to be learned. Prior to his current responsibilities, Mr Kirkpatrick was head of both the Japan and German Desks in the Economics Department, duties which involved a considerable amount of structural policy analysis and advice in addition to macroeconomic analysis. From 1989 to 1995 he worked in most of the European transition economies for the OECD contributing to a wide range of the Organisation’s publications. Before joining the OECD, Mr Kirkpatrick worked at universities and research centres in Germany, UK and Australia. Prior to this he worked in a chartered accountant practice covering both audit and advisory activities.

J. Chris Razook is a Senior Operations Officer serving the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets for the International Finance Corporation (IFC, part of the World Bank Group).  Mr. Razook has over 15 years of experie J. Chris Razook is a Senior Operations Officer serving the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets for the International Finance Corporation (IFC, part of the World Bank Group).  Mr. Razook has over 15 years of experience providing business advisory services to organizations around the world in the areas of corporate governance, internal controls, strategic planning, risk management, and organizational improvement.  Mr. Razook has conducted corporate governance assessments for companies in various industries and has developed and delivered extensive client training.  Mr. Razook has presented at various conferences and workshops across the region aimed at raising the awareness of Corporate Governance for companies, banks, investors, and journalists.  Mr. Razook has also provided assistance to regulatory authorities in the MENA region in drafting Corporate Governance codes and listing rules.nce providing business advisory services to organizations around the world in the areas of corporate governance, internal controls, strategic planning, risk management, and organizational improvement.  Mr. Razook has conducted corporate governance assessments for companies in various industries and has developed and delivered extensive client training.  Mr. Razook has presented at various conferences and workshops across the region aimed at raising the awareness of Corporate Governance for companies, banks, investors, and journalists.  Mr. Razook has also provided assistance to regulatory authorities in the MENA region in drafting Corporate Governance codes and listing rules.

Dr.AbdulRahman earned his Doctoral degree in Accounting (Financial Accounting – Auditing) from Louisiana State University, U.S.A in 1981. He filled several positions during his professional career such as: Chairman of the Accounting Standards Committee in the Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants (SOCPA) and Head of Accounting Department, College of Administrative Sciences, King Saud University. Dr. Abdurrahman was the Head of the Financial Securities Committee in Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and he is still a member there .

Due to his long experience in the area of financial and accounting advisory, he founded Alhumaid and Alnimir Consulting Company (HNC) in 2002 and serves as a partner in it. He is also a partner and CEO of the National Consulting House company, which is licensed by the Capital Market Authority, since 2007.

In addition to his active participation in the field of accounting and auditing profession, Dr. AbdulRahman had participated in many committees and boards of directors for several bodies including: Chairman of the Zakat Tax Appeals Committee at the Ministry of Finance, a member of the Investment Committee in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Riyadh, Board member of AlBilad Bank and the Saudi Vitrified Clay Pipe Company and the  Chairman and a member in more than one  audit committee  to joint stock companies in Saudi Arabia.

Dr. AbdulRahman also participated in numerous conferences and seminars and wrote more than 18 scientific papers published in local, regional and global magazines. He is also a specialized writer in investment and accounting. He recently published a book titled "The Accounting Theory

Mr. Al-Rashid has a bachelor degree in Accounting and Business administration in 1963, an MBA in Financial Resources in 1967, Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting and Auditing in 1971 and completed a CFA Review Course in 2002. He attended several conferences and seminars at local, regional and international levels. He was a part-time Lecturer at the Faculty of Administrative Sciences of King Saud University and at the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh, K.S.A. He has over 45 years of experience in both the private and public sectors.
· He started working for the government in 1963. He was a general manager for the public accounts where the government’s final accounts were prepared for several years and still are. Afterwards, he worked as Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Finance for the  Financial Affairs and Accounts then as a vice chairman and governor of Saline Water Conversion Corporation in 1979.
· He was the Chairman of board of directors of the Saudi Telecom Company (STC), where its government’s system was prepared and published with the establishment of an elaborate preparation of its own governance in 2005, a member of the Supreme Council for Petroleum and Minerals, Chairman of the Board and Investment Committee of the Arab Corporation for Investment, a member of the board of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and a Board Member of the Research and Industrial Development Center. He represented the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in international committees, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank meetings and several conferences including the Conference of Supreme Audits Councils. He was a member of the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes.
· He was licensed to practice the profession of accounting and auditing, financial and managerial consulting and translation in 1979 and spent thirty years pursuing that practice. He has a prominent role in the establishment and development of organizing professional practices like (Institutions: the Accounting and Auditing, financial analysts, property evaluations and governance).He participates actively to work to achieve the goals established for them, including:
· Membership of the first Board of Directors of the Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants and two further terms, and several committees, including the chairman  of two sessions of the  accounting standards committee in 1996 and the other in 2006.
· Chairman of Project Team for Studying the Compliance of Saudi Joint Stock Companies with the Accounting Standards of the Kingdom , SOCPA, 2006.
· Chairman of Steering Committee for Accounting Standards for Islamic Banks, 1987
· Chairman of Planning Committee for Accounting Standards for Islamic Banks, 1991
· Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Financial Accounting Organization for Banks and Islamic Financial Institutions – Bahrain, 1990 – 94
· Chairman of the Board of Directors, GCCAAO, 2001 to date

Christina Stark is the CEO of Väderstad-Verken AB. Väderstad-Verken AB is a family owned company. The company started as a farm workshop and it has developed to one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of machines for drilling and soil tillage. Today Väderstad-Verken AB operates in 30 countries, and has it’s own subsidiaries in 12 countries. Before Christina Stark was assigned as CEO in June 2008, she has acted as the company’s deputy CEO for 2 years, she has also been in charge of the company’s sales department for many years. Christina always has been, and still is deeply involved in the company’s development of new products and production processes and new production techniques. Christina is one of 4 brothers and sisters, who all have leading positions in the company.

Muhammad Al Agil is the  Chairman of Jarir Group.  Mr. Al Agil conceptualized and co-started Jarir Marketing and Jarir Bookstore chains, developing them into leading wholesalers and retailers in Saudi Arabia for stationery, school supplies, office machines, computer supplies, books, arts and engineering items. Jarir Marketing Company is listed in Saudi Stock Exchange . 

He is a Board member of various public companies and large family business groups in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, such as Tawuniya Insurance Co., MBC TV, Al Faisaliah Group etc.  Served as a member of Board of Trustees of Centennial Fund (Micro – Business Fund),  Board of trustees of the Gifted Foundation in Saudi Arabia and was Chairman of the Executive Committee for Family Business Council in Saudi Arabia. 

Mr. Al Agil earned a Masters of Engg from University of California, Berkley in 1975 and a B.S. in Engineering from KFUPM  in 1974. In addition, Mr. Al Agil completed the OPM program at Harvard University in 1987

Mr Najem Alzaid is the Director of the  Legal Affairs Department  at The Capital Market Authority (CMA)  in Saudi Arabia

He is in charge of all legal risks, matters, services and resources at the CMA in addition to the daily business of the CMA Legal Affairs Department (LAD). He serves as the CMA’s General Counsel and plans and supervises the implementation of LAD’s mission within the CMA. He is a member in the CMA’s Management Committee.

Najem joined the CMA in 2004 as an Assistant General Counsel. Before that, he worked as a lawyer in the Legal Department of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IDB Group) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and at the World Bank Group in Washington, D.C, USA. He also served as a prosecutor in the Saudi Commission of Investigation and Public Prosecution.

Per Lekvall is the Executive Director of the Swedish Corporate Governance Board. Prior to this he was Head Secretary of the Governmental Commission on Business Confidence and of the Code Group, which developed the Swedish Code of Corporate Governance. For about ten years from its start as a nationwide organization in the mid-1990’s he was the CEO of the Swedish Academy of Board Directors. Per Lekvall holds a masters degree from the Gothenburg School of Economics and Business Administration. He has also performed studies as a Guest Student in the doctoral programs of the graduate schools of business at Carnegie-Mellon University and Stanford University. After a management career with focus on international business development at the Swedish forestry group SCA he entered the consulting industry and was for several years in the CEO of the Swedish management consulting subsidiary of UK-based PA Consulting Group. Since then he has been an adviser to company managements and boards on matters of business strategy and corporate governance through his own consultancy practice Boardroom Consulting AB. Per Lekvall is a recurrent lecturer at Swedish universities and business schools and has published books and articles on i.a. the role of the board in SME-type companies and corporate governance in Swedish listed companies.

The Head of Corporate Governance Department, Capital Market Authority, KSA. He has over eighteen years experience in Risk Management, Corporate Governance, financial Analysis, Accounting standards, Bank management ,compliance and audit.  He has significant experience of working closely with the international accounting firms, board members and executives of large listed companies in Saudi Arabia. He was trained in many of international institutions and schools such as World Bank, IMF,  US Federal Reserve’s, and Harvard University.

Ahmed was a board of director and an audit committee member of a Saudi Tunisian bank “Stusid Bank” from 2004 – 2009. Before joining The Saudi Capital Market Authority CMA, Ahmed worked for Saudi Arabia Monetary Agency (SAMA) for a number of years, before left SAMA he was incharge of local banking supervision. During his career, he has participated and represented Saudi Arabia in many of international working group and committees.

Dr. Baroum received MBA (with distinction) from Wharton School of Business in 1985 and subsequently obtained his Ph. D. in operations management from Kelly School of Business at Indiana University. He has joined The Savola Group in 1994 and has held multiple senior positions in support and line roles within the Group. He was the CEO of the Retail Division (Panda), CEO Real Estate Division, Group Chief Investment Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President. Currently Dr. Sami Baroum is a member of the Boards of Directors of Afia International, United Sugar Company, Al-Azizia Panda United, Al-Marai Company, Kinan International (Savola Real Estate Co.), Knowledge Economic City and Arabian Cement Company. Previously he served as a member of the Boards of Venture Capital Bank in Bahrain, Savola Packaging Systems Company and Savola Sime Egypt in Egypt.

In December 2008 Ms. Catharina Kipp was appointed Ambassador for Corporate Social Responsibility in the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Prior to that, she was the Swedish Ambassador to Syria and Lebanon, posted in Damascus for three years. After earning a B.A. in 1971, Ms. Kipp joined the International Committee of the Red Cross, serving as delegate in Lebanon 1976 and Thailand/Cambodia 1979. In 1980 she obtained a Swedish Master of Laws and begun to practise law at a district court. She entered the Swedish diplomatic service in 1981 and has served there since, including postings in Bonn, Hong Kong, Paris, Jerusalem and Damascus. Ms. Kipp is well experienced in human rights and has served as a diplomatic delegate during five sessions with the United Nations’ Human Rights Commission in the years 1989-1993, followed by employment in the Swedish parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee. Serving as Consul General of Sweden to Jerusalem in 2000-2003, she was also in charge of the Swedish development cooperation programme to support the Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations.