Abdellatif FIACH
NEOM
Summary
Executive Commercial Leader with 20 years of global experience across Europe, Middle East, and North Africa. Currently directs commercial development at NEOM, focusing on sustainable multimodal mobility ecosystems. Successfully implemented high-value public-private partnerships, including the 340 km SEA High-Speed Rail and Riyadh Bus Project. Expertise in aligning commercial operations with strategic goals, optimizing performance, and managing stakeholders in high-stakes environments.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Commercial Director- NEOM Mobility
NEOM, KSA
KSA
04.2023 - Current
- Leading as Commercial Director, my role is crucial in realizing a sustainable, multimodal, integrated, and seamless urban and regional public mobility network. This includes road (urban and regional), railway (High-Speed Rail, Next Generation Freight, and Metro), water, and advanced air mobility systems, all in alignment with NEOM's strategic objectives. Our vision is to establish the world's first truly sustainable and interconnected public mobility system, driving innovation and incorporating autonomous solutions. Our mission is to create and manage a human-centric mobility ecosystem that prioritizes safety, efficiency, and offers a unique user experience. With a proven track record in leading transformative mobility contracts, I am adept at navigating the complexities of implementing a forward-thinking, comprehensive mobility network that aligns with NEOM's pioneering goals.
- Commercial Function Management: Oversee and perform the commercial function for the Mobility team, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
- Procurement Strategy for Major Tenders: Driving procurement and commercial strategy across multi-billion SAR design-build (D&B) and operations & maintenance (O&M) tenders.
- Commercial Planning and Management for Major Tenders: Lead the commercial planning, management, and administration of major mobility projects. Provide proactive contractual management through Sourcing Planning, Tendering, and Contract setup and Management for D&B and O&M phases, including Supplier Management.
- Strategic Localization and Local Content: Establish Tenders guidelines in alignment with NEOM and KSA localization and local content directives for ongoing tenders.
- Stakeholders and Partners' Relationships: Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Develop commercial principles, documents, governance, and processes that align with mobility objectives.
- Commercial Business Performance: Create innovative digital solutions to enhance business performance for LM's multimodal operations, particularly in providing Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS).
- Mobility Business and Operational Models: Regularly review mobility business and operational models and project details with the Mobility team to identify commercial opportunities, including farebox and non-farebox revenue, leveraging mobility assets monetisation for value creation.
Contract Director for King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh PublicTransport- Bus Project
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMPANY(PTC), RATP DEV & SAPTCO Consortium, Riyadh, KSA
Riyadh, KSA
08.2018 - 04.2023
- Appointed by the Consortium PTC (RATP DEV and SAPTCO): as Contract Director for the PTC PO&M, I oversaw a landmark 12-year Contract for Riyadh City, covering 842 buses, 80 routes, 4,000+ personnel.
- Contract and Risk Management: Overseeing all contractual aspects of the Riyadh Bus PO&M Contract, ensuring full contract compliance. Acting as commercial bridge between consortium, client, and technical stakeholders.
- Leadership in Variations and Payments: Leading the process for variation orders and ensuring timely follow-up on related payments.
- Mobilization Support: Providing cross-functional support during mobilization to ensure readiness for the Start of Operations.
- Tendering and Subcontracting: Drafting and executing tenders and subcontracts essential for the mobilization phase of business implementation.
- Claims Management Leadership: Preparing and ensuring the success of claims related to Employer risks, special risks, and changes in law.
- Testing & Commissioning Oversight: Directed an effective testing and commissioning process, including FAT, SAT, independent AECOM Operational Readiness Audit, depot inspections, and trial runs, leading to the Employer’s Certificate of Approval to operate.
- Operational Readiness: Leading the preparation and execution of the comprehensive independent AECOM operational readiness review, securing a successful pass for PTC.
- Compensation Achievement: Securing approximately 1.2 BSAR in additional cost recovery through commercial claims.
- Project Control Participation: Actively participating in project control and reviews throughout the lifecycle of the PO&M contract.
- Executive Support: Executive Management in defining end-to-end strategies, including project planning, financial assessments, and stakeholder communications.
- Invoicing and Financial Tracking: Collaborating with the Finance Team on invoicing and payment follow-ups.
- KPI Analysis and Risk Negotiation: Analyzing contractual KPIs, assessing risks, and engaging in negotiations prior to the Start of Operations.
Contract and Performance Manager | Vinci Concessions (Vinci Group)
MESEA- Railway Maintenance & Operations HSR SEA-Sud Europe Atlantique, France
France
08.2015 - 07.2018
- Contract Oversight: Monitoring and controlling contracts between the D&B, POM Contractor, Infrastructure Manager LISEA, and key stakeholders (SNCF Réseau, COSEA-Construction Consortium, and O&M Contractor MESEA).
- Contractual Reporting: Preparing and presenting reports for the MESEA Supervisory Committee, shareholders (Vinci and Systra), LISEA, and the Employer.
- Safety and Management System: Mapping processes and compiling Safety and Integrated Management Systems (SMS/IMS), defining KPIs, and implementing dashboards for operational readiness audits to secure Safety Authorization for the Infrastructure Manager from the EPSF (French Railway Safety Public Authority).
- Construction Defects Resolution: Managing the closeout of construction defects during the liability period, ensuring completion guarantee compliance related to the HSR testing, commissioning, and handover process (from Preliminary to Final Inspection by the Employer).
- Final Inspection and Commercial Operation Permit Acquisition: Supporting the closure of the Final Inspection by the Employer to secure the Commercial Operation Permit.
- Subcontract Review and Monitoring: Reviewing and monitoring complex electrical traction power subcontracts.
- Traction Power Management: Tracking actual traction power consumption invoiced to SNCF Voyages and estimating annual power forecasts for all train types.
- Construction Warranty and Defect Claims: Supporting the post-operations claims process for the 10-year construction warranty and defect liability period.
- OCC Implementation Supervision: Overseeing the subcontractor responsible for implementing the HSR Integrated Operations Control Centre using digital traffic management software.
- Quality of Service and Data Management: Implementing Quality of Service and Data Management processes, including the correction of real-time operational data, analytics, daily track assessments, and the appeals process for operational incidents attributable to the O&M Contractor MESEA through digital platforms.
- Operational KPIs Platform Development: Actively involved in developing the SEA HSR operational KPIs reporting platform (focusing on punctuality, reliability, availability, and track leveling/comfort) and managing associated contractual penalties using advanced digital solutions.
- Document Management System Implementation: Implementing a digital Document Management System (DMS) for MESEA-LISEA.
- Data Warehouse Governance: Mapping, modeling, and governing the operations and maintenance data warehouse for predictive maintenance, leading to the development of SEACloud (Big Data Engineering/AI) and driving digital transformation.
- Train Identification System Implementation: Establishing a robust and efficient digital train identification system to facilitate the invoicing and payment processes for commercial use fees of the HSR paid to the infrastructure manager (LISEA).
General Manager
BUSINESS BILA HODOUD SARL- IMPORT EXPORT (Europe/Africa), Casablanca Morocco
Casablanca, Morocco
06.2012 - 07.2015
- General Trading & Electrical Material: Managing all aspects of export and import activities and regulatory requirements for products such as generators, electrical motors, inverters, rectifiers, transformers, and outdoor lighting devices including road lights, spotlights, park-garden lighting, and LED wall washers.
- Commercial Development Strategy: Leading the strategic development and execution of the commercial plan.
- Business Development & Partnerships: Identifying and cultivating relationships with key suppliers and clients within the industry, ensuring sustained business growth.
- Policy & Compliance Management: Defining and enforcing company policies and procedures to ensure compliance and operational excellence.
- Operational Team Management: Directly managing a team of 12 personnel across two sales points, driving performance and efficiency.
- Interdepartmental Coordination: Managing the interface between commercial managers, supply chain managers, finance teams, and forwarding agents to ensure seamless operations.
- Customs & Regulatory Oversight: Overseeing the customs process, ensuring compliance with regulations and efficient processing.
- Logistics & Negotiations: Negotiating and overseeing delivery terms (incoterms), orders, shipment, invoicing, and payment processes to optimize cost and efficiency.
- Team Guidance & Market Opportunities: Providing strategic guidance to commercial teams and identifying development areas and market opportunities for national and regional expansion.
- Global Procurement & Financial Management: Overseeing global procurement, managing operating expenses, cost control, budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting to drive financial health and growth.
- ERP & Lean Tools Implementation: Implementing ERP systems and promoting the use of lean tools to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Project and Contract Manager
VOSSLOH COGIFER SIGNALLING DPT- Products activity- Reichshoffen, France
Reichshoffen, France
07.2008 - 02.2012
- Company Overview: Vossloh Group (global leader in the rail technology market)
- Projects and Clients
- Australia: Upgrade of the North-South Line (Client: ARTC - Australian Rail Track Corporation; Partner: Vossloh Australia)
- Dubai Metro: Green & Red Lines (Client: TRSS - Thales Railway Signalling Solutions)
- Cairo Metro: Spare Parts (Client: ABB TURBOCHARGERS Egypt)
- China: Zhengzhou-Xi'an and Hefei-Nanjing Lines (Client: CRTB - Chinese Railway Turnout Bridge; Partner: Ministry of Railway - MOR)
- Singapore: Mass Rapid Transit Downtown Lines 1 and 2 (Client: LTA; Partner: Westinghouse-Invensys Rail)
- Malaysia: Ipoh-Padang Besar Double-Tracking Modernization Project (JV Partners: BALFOUR Beatty Rail & Ansaldo STS)
- Turkey: High-Speed Line Ankara-Konya (Client: YAPI MERKEZI; Partner: TCDD - Turkish State Railways)
- Turkey: Mersin-Toprakkale Railway Line Upgrade (Client: ANSALDO-STS)
- Responsibilities
- Project Management: Overseeing multi-million-euro projects in railway switch, signalling systems, and track turnouts from procurement order confirmation to shipment and invoicing.
- Tender Analysis and ITT Interpretation: Assisting in the analysis of invitations to tender and interpreting technical scope statements, ITT requirements, and pre-qualification information.
- Pilot Studies and Technical Liaison: Coordinating with engineering and R&D offices, contractors, and Clients on technical matters, managing requests for information, and securing drawing approvals while ensuring compliance with quality standards and technical requirements.
- Technical Documentation: Supporting the creation of technical, operating, and maintenance manuals for switch actuation, locking, and detection systems in multiple languages (French, English, Arabic).
- Delivery Scheduling: Establishing and managing delivery schedules with clients to ensure timely completion.
- Factory Acceptance and Prototyping: Overseeing factory acceptance tests and approval trials of new prototypes in consultation with technical experts.
- Subcontracting and Supply Chain Management: Monitoring critical subcontracting supplies to ensure timely and quality delivery.
- Client Relationship Management: Building and maintaining strong relationships with customers to ensure satisfaction and alignment with project goals.
- Stakeholder Coordination: Coordinating all project stakeholders to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction, focusing on cost, quality, and lead time.
- Project Control Reporting: Conducting regular project schedule and cost control reporting to ensure project alignment with strategic goals.
- Technical Support and Maintenance: Actively involved in technical assistance, expertise provision, onsite preventive and corrective maintenance, testing, and commissioning processes.
- Training and Development: Providing technical and maintenance training for international clients to ensure successful project implementation and operation.
- Safety Standards Leadership: Leading the RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Safety) standards compliance, compiling documentation for safety cases based on EN50126 and EN50129 standards, and achieving SIL4 certification for turnouts and crossovers with actuation, locking, and detection systems as per CENELEC IEC 6150 standards.
Production Management Engineer
VOSSLOH COGIFER SIGNALLING DPT- Products activity- Reichshoffen, France
Reichshoffen, France
11.2007 - 02.2008
- International purchasing, quality control, supply chain management, and lean manufacturing (visual factory).
Project Manager
ENGIE (GDF SUEZ GROUP), INEO- Saint-Avold, France
Saint-Avold, France
07.2007 - 10.2007
- Developed and implemented a tailored real-time ERP system to track and consolidate technical and financial data across various projects, facilitating seamless communication between mobilized teams and project managers, and significantly enhancing overall operational efficiency and driving digital transformation.
R&D Engineer
DATA TOOLS PRODUCTS- Schiltigheim, France
Schiltigheim, France
03.2006 - 09.2006
- Developed and implemented a satellite receiving system as part of an innovative project subsidized by "Alsace Region Technologie."
R&D Engineer
Communications and Microelectronics Integration Laboratory (LACIME)- Montreal, CANADA
Montreal, CANADA
06.2004 - 10.2004
- Created and implemented a web interface for a hybrid GNSS constellations simulator, incorporating GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO systems.
Education
Master's in Business Administration - undefined
EM Strasbourg Business School, University of Strasbourg
Strasbourg01.2006
Master's degree - Electrical Engineering
INSA (National Institute of Applied Sciences)
01.2005
Skills
- Commercial Strategy & Governance
- Multimodal Mobility Systems (Road, Rail, AAM, Maritime)- D&B and O&M
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPP & Concession Models)
- Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
- Operational Readiness and Commissioning
- Strategic Localisation and Local Content Integration
- Contract, Risk, and Claims leadership
- Procurement and Tendering (D&B, O&M)
- Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) Platforms
- KPI Frameworks & Performance-based Contracts
- Digital Transformation and Big Data in Mobility
- Stakeholder management & Government Relations
- Cost Optimisation and Revenue Modeling
References
Please refer to LinkedIn
Languages
French
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Arabic
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Timeline
Commercial Director- NEOM Mobility
NEOM, KSA
04.2023 - Current
Contract Director for King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh PublicTransport- Bus Project
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMPANY(PTC), RATP DEV & SAPTCO Consortium, Riyadh, KSA
08.2018 - 04.2023
Contract and Performance Manager | Vinci Concessions (Vinci Group)
MESEA- Railway Maintenance & Operations HSR SEA-Sud Europe Atlantique, France
08.2015 - 07.2018
General Manager
BUSINESS BILA HODOUD SARL- IMPORT EXPORT (Europe/Africa), Casablanca Morocco
06.2012 - 07.2015
Project and Contract Manager
VOSSLOH COGIFER SIGNALLING DPT- Products activity- Reichshoffen, France
07.2008 - 02.2012
Production Management Engineer
VOSSLOH COGIFER SIGNALLING DPT- Products activity- Reichshoffen, France
11.2007 - 02.2008
Project Manager
ENGIE (GDF SUEZ GROUP), INEO- Saint-Avold, France
07.2007 - 10.2007
R&D Engineer
DATA TOOLS PRODUCTS- Schiltigheim, France
03.2006 - 09.2006
R&D Engineer
Communications and Microelectronics Integration Laboratory (LACIME)- Montreal, CANADA
06.2004 - 10.2004
Master's in Business Administration - undefined
EM Strasbourg Business School, University of Strasbourg
Master's degree - Electrical Engineering
INSA (National Institute of Applied Sciences)