Saudi Business Tycoon Mohammed H. Abudawood Appointed Chairman of Merit Incentives Group
Merit Incentives Group has announced the appointment of Mohammed H. Abudawood as Chairman of the Board, marking a key milestone in the company’s global growth strategy.
A prominent Saudi business leader, Abudawood brings more than three decades of experience across trading, manufacturing, distribution, and international joint ventures. He is the founder of Abudawood Trading Company, the Ecolab Institutional Distribution Business, and Abudawood Industrial Company, where he has successfully built and scaled major retail and distribution platforms while forging strategic international partnerships.
Abudawood also spent over 20 years as General Manager of two joint ventures between Clorox USA and Saudi partners, where he led regional expansion, marketing, sales, and logistics operations, contributing to sustained brand growth and operational excellence in the Kingdom.
His governance experience includes serving as Chairman and board member of several public and private organisations, as well as a member of the Jeddah City Council. Internationally, he has been associated with Harvard University’s Institute for Social & Economic Policy in the Middle East and the Harvard University Journal. He is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School’s Program for Management Development.
Julie Barbier-Leblan said the appointment represents a significant step in Merit’s evolution. She noted that Abudawood’s leadership and global perspective will play a crucial role in strengthening governance, advancing strategic partnerships, and supporting long-term expansion.
As Chairman, Abudawood will focus on enhancing corporate governance frameworks, guiding mergers and acquisitions, and accelerating the development of a scalable global platform.
Commenting on his appointment, Abudawood said he looks forward to contributing to Merit’s continued growth, highlighting the company’s strong engagement infrastructure and global reach combined with deep expertise in Saudi Arabia.
The announcement comes as Merit reports strong quarterly performance, achieving triple-digit growth across its global engagement platforms—underscoring rising demand for innovative loyalty and incentive solutions worldwide.
The appointment aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 agenda, reinforcing the Kingdom’s growing role as a hub for digital infrastructure, innovation, and globally scalable technology platforms.
