Abdulwahhab Abed: Driving Asset Management Growth Through Strategic Leadership

CEO Network

Leading SEDCO Capital

Abdulwahhab Abed has served as Chief Executive Officer of SEDCO Capital since February 2025, following more than 16 years of progressive leadership within the organization. His career at SEDCO Capital has encompassed business development, marketing, corporate finance, and global co-investments, providing a broad foundation for his current executive responsibilities.

Prior to becoming CEO, he served as Chief Business Development Officer from March 2021 to February 2025, where he led a team that raised SAR 3 billion over three years. His responsibilities covered product development, middle-office functions, marketing and communications, as well as strategies designed to maximize fundraising and capital inflows across major markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Building Business and Fundraising Growth

During his tenure as Head of Regional Business Development & Marketing, Abed played a key role in accelerating SEDCO Capital’s fundraising activities. He helped achieve SAR 1.5 billion in Assets under Management, including SAR 600 million for SEDCO Capital REIT.

He also strengthened relationships with major regulatory and market institutions, including the Capital Market Authority (CMA), Tadawul, SAMA, and the Ministry of Finance, while supporting strategic hiring initiatives to expand the organization’s capabilities.

His business development leadership extended internationally through the establishment of a UCITS platform in Luxembourg and the launch of the first ESG Fund under UCITS, alongside the development of distribution partnerships in regional and international markets.

Strategic Transactions and Capital Initiatives

Abed has played a central role in several significant transactions and capital initiatives at SEDCO Capital. He led efforts surrounding the SEDCO Capital Real Estate Income Fund II exit, securing more than SAR 445 million in equity contribution following 100% approval from SCREIF II unitholders for the capital increase transaction of SCREIT.

He also led negotiations with Ford to resolve pending legal matters connected to the transaction while serving as Head of Legal for the initiative.

In another major capital increase for SC REIT, his negotiations with the CMA resulted in approval of two of three principal fees, generating SAR 17 million in revenue. He also spearheaded the voting process required to achieve the 50% investor quorum.

Investment and Corporate Finance Expertise

Abed’s earlier leadership in corporate finance included developing an optimization roadmap for the direct investment portfolio, with a focus on maximizing returns and mitigating risks. He secured M&A, buy-side, and sell-side mandates through relationship development and supported transactions through financial and commercial due diligence.

As Vice President & Director for Co-investments, he invested in more than 30 private equity funds globally across multiple sectors. His stated investment track record generated a 25% IRR and 1.9x multiple, while his responsibilities included evaluating private equity managers across markets including the USA, China, India, Switzerland, Brazil, and Australia.

He also helped implement portfolio management and growth strategies that expanded the private equity team’s AUM to US$2 billion.

Governance and Executive Leadership

Abed’s leadership experience extends beyond SEDCO Capital. At Saudi Chemical Company Ltd., he served as a Member of the Board of Directors, Member of the Audit Committee, and Member of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee between 2019 and 2025.

Across his executive and governance roles, his expertise has centered on strategic alliances, revenue and profit growth, investment management, corporate governance, and organizational transformation.

Education and Professional Foundation

Abed holds an MBA in Finance from Bentley College’s Elkin B. McCallum Graduate School of Business, completed in 2006. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Finance-Accounting from Bentley University’s McCallum Graduate School of Business in 2005.

His academic background in finance and corporate leadership complements more than a decade and a half of professional experience across asset management, private equity, corporate finance, business development, and executive management.

CEO Network Recognition

Abdulwahhab Abed’s career reflects a progression from global investment and corporate finance to senior business development and executive leadership. As CEO of SEDCO Capital, he continues to build on this experience through strategic growth initiatives, capital raising, investment management, and governance leadership within the asset-management sector.