Qiddiya Investment Company, a fully owned unit of Saudi PIF, has appointed Philippe Gas as its new chief executive officer effective November 29.

 

Gas replaces founding CEO Michael Reininger, who will remain for a handover and advisory period before departing Qiddiya Investment Company after nearly three years of dedicated service and overseeing delivery of several key project milestones. 

 

Reininger’s entrepreneurial skillset has been instrumental in seeding the foundation of Qiddiya and in the last three years, he has put together successful project teams in anticipation of this planned transition, said the statement from the Saudi group. 

 

Qiddiya is Saudi Arabia’s future capital of entertainment, sports and the arts guided directly by the inspired leadership of HRH Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of Qiddiya, as a keystone of Vision 2030, the kingdom’s blueprint for long-term prosperity.

 

Qiddiya is located on the doorstep of Riyadh and as one of Saudi Arabia’s giga projects it will directly employ approximately 17,000 people by 2023.

 

On Gas' appointment Qiddiya said he brings a wealth of experience to the role, moving into the position from a 30-year tenure with The Walt Disney Company, where he most recently served as President & Managing Director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan & Disneyland International. 

 

Before moving into this global leadership role, Gas was the CEO of Euro Disney SCA, the first tourism destination in Europe, for seven years and then successfully led the launch of Shanghai Disney Resort, The Walt Disney Company’s first theme park in mainland China and its largest international investment to date.

 

Ahmed Al Khateeb, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism and a Board Member and the General Secretary of Qiddiya’s Board of Directors, said: "The Qiddiya giga-project sits at the core of the future of Saudi Arabian entertainment. Gas has an impressive international track record of delivering world-class entertainment destination experiences and leading large organizations, which makes him the right person to oversee this next, crucial phase of development as we rapidly journey toward the much-anticipated grand opening of Qiddiya."

 

Al Khateeb also thanked Reininger for laying the foundation for Qidiya's future success with his steadfast leadership over the past few years and wished him success in his future endeavors.

 

On his new role, Gas said Qiddiya was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to develop an unforgettable offering that would be transforming the entertainment sector for an entire region and create cherished memories for current and future generations. 

 

"The Qiddiya team has delivered a lot in a short amount of time and it is my honor to take the helm at this critical juncture so that together, we can launch an incredible new entertainment experience to the world," he added.-TradeArabia News Service