BCI Board Nominee Spotlight: Atiq Bajwa FBCI
Full name: Atiq Bajwa
Membership grade: FBCI
Country of residence: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Professional role: Chief Risk Officer, Sulaiman Alrajhi Holding
About the nominee
I am a Chief Risk Officer with over 20 years of experience building resilience in iconic global organizations like SABIC, Jubail & Yanbu Utility Company, Saudi Mining Company, Saudi Military Industries and Sulaiman Alrajhi Holding.
My career spans high-risk sectors across the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East, giving me a deep, practical understanding of global resilience challenges and strategic governance.
My motivation is simple. I have a profound belief in BCI’s mission. I am not a passive member but an active contributor, serving as the Leader of the BCI Saudi Arabia Chapter and a judge for the Honorary Awards for the Middle East (2025). I have championed our profession through numerous community events for the BCI Arabia Chapters and keynote speeches (15 speeches at various conferences in the last 2 years).
I am participating in the BCI Board election to dedicate my energy at the highest level to help and contribute to shaping the BCI’s future.
I offer a unique blend of C-suite strategic oversight, hands-on chapter leadership, and a truly international perspective. I will bring a focus on robust governance, global growth of the BCI, particularly in the emerging markets and empowering the next generation of practitioners. I am passionate about translating strategy into impact and would be honoured to bring that drive to the BCI Board.
Any prior board governance experience?
I am a member of the GCC Board of Directors Institute. I am currently pursuing the “Certified Board Member” program with the Institute (bdi-gcc.org).
I have completed 2 out of 4 modules of the certification program and am registered to take the remaining 2 modules by December 2, 2025, and take the exam in the first week of December.
Why serve on the BCI Board?
I am driven to serve as a BCI Board Director by a deeply held belief that organisational resilience is not just a professional discipline, but a critical foundation for a stable and prosperous global economy. My two decades of experience, from building global programs at SABIC across 45 countries to my current role providing C-suite risk oversight at Sulaiman Alrajhi Holding, have given me a unique perspective, and I am passionate about using this experience to bridge the gap between the day-to-day challenges our practitioners face and the board-level strategies that guide our profession.
My primary motivation is to ensure the BCI remains the world's most essential and practical resource for resilience professionals. I will contribute by championing the development of actionable guidance, developing and nurturing authentic global collaboration, and advocating for the integration of resilience into the core of business strategy everywhere. I am particularly excited by the opportunity to help steer BCI’s strategic growth in high-potential regions, ensuring our global community is inclusive, strong, and well-supported.
For me, this is more than a board position; it is a responsibility to empower our community and help build a more resilient world, and I would embrace that duty with unwavering energy and commitment.
What skills and experience do you bring to the board?
I offer the BCI Board a unique blend of strategic C-suite leadership, deep financial and governance expertise, and a truly global perspective on organisational resilience.
- Leadership & Business Acumen: As Chief Risk Officer for Sulaiman Alrajhi Holding Company, I provide enterprise-wide leadership in risk and resilience, directly contributing to strategic decision-making at the highest level. My role entails managing the budget, demonstrating strong financial stewardship and a results-oriented approach to resource allocation.
- Global Resilience & Industry Expertise: My prior role as Head of Global Business Continuity at SABIC involved designing and implementing resilience frameworks across 45 countries. This has given me an unparalleled understanding of diverse cultures, regulatory landscapes and operational challenges within critical sectors like oil & gas, petrochemicals, Public Utilities, Mining and Defence. This global, multi-industry experience is crucial for guiding BCI’s international growth and relevance.
- Governance & BCI Community Engagement: My governance competence is both practical and theoretical, reinforced by my ongoing Certified Board Member program with the GCC Board Directors Institute.
I have thoroughly studied the BCI's governance framework to ensure I can immediately fulfil my fiduciary duties. My active roles as BCI Saudi Arabia Chapter Leader and Global Awards Judge demonstrate my deep commitment to and understanding of the BCI community, enabling me to effectively represent member interests at the board level.
My career is a testament to building resilience in complex, high-stakes environments. I am eager to contribute my comprehensive expertise to support the BCI’s strategic vision and strengthen its global impact.
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