Essam Akhonbay is a Saudi marketing leader with over 20 years of experience driving brand transformation and business growth through innovation and cultural storytelling. As VP of Marketing at Saudia, he leads the airline’s global marketing strategy, positioning Saudia as a modern, experience-led brand on the world stage and the wings of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Essam was a key force behind Saudia’s landmark 2023 brand transformation, redefining its identity and translating Saudi culture into narratives that resonate across global audiences and markets.

He is known for pioneering ideas where purpose meets creativity, like ‘The Coolest Ihram’, a world-first innovation that reimagined the Hajj and Umrah experience and set a new standard for culturally meaningful brand impact.

With a background at Procter & Gamble and Saudi Aramco, Essam brings a distinct perspective at the intersection of marketing and innovation.