KUWAIT: Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI) is proud to announce that its current Executive Vice President - Marketing, Fadel Abdulaziz Al-Faraj, has been recognized as CEO of the Year in the energy sector by Forbes Italian’s CEO Italian Awards, being the first Kuwaiti to be awarded this prestigious award. The recognition took place at a gala dinner in Milan on the 30th of November, 2023.

According to the Forbes Italia ranking, Al-Faraj was chosen among the fifteen best CEOs in Italy for “his unique perspective in leadership, in which he embraces the diversity and understanding of Q8 Italy, generating trust, and inspiring its workforce to grow professionally and personally. His integrity and commitment to sustainability has cemented Q8 Italy as not just an energy company, but a community supporter and a trusted business partner in Italy.

Al-Faraj dedicated the award to his colleagues at Q8 Italy, without their hard work, team spirit, and talent the Company would not succeed. He also thanked his family for their support in the journey. Kuwait Petroleum International President & CEO, Engineer Shafi Talib Al-Ajmi, expressed his pride in Al-Faraj’s award, stating that it reflects the success of Kuwaiti International Petroleum Company (KPI) in empowering Kuwaiti nationals to take on leadership roles throughout its diverse locations in Europe and Asia, fostering a culture of excellence and achievement.

Al-Ajmi added that Al-Faraj has set a positive example as a leader who supports the national workforce and achieves goals by applying the values of the KPI particularly in enhancing trust, integrity, and teamwork. Forbes Italy magazine supported the selection of Al-Faraj by praising his effective management of marketing, focusing on improving the company’s profits, meeting customer needs, and implementing sustainability, especially through offering more eco-friendly petroleum products.

Fadel Al-Faraj is the Executive Vice President of Marketing at Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI). Prior to that, he was the Managing Director of Kuwait Petroleum Italy, which includes 3,000 fuel stations and Milazzo refinery in Sicily. His current responsibilities are to deliver the company’s strategy and oversee Q8’s extensive worldwide European marketing operations.

Fadel began his thirty-year career in 1992 at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s international marketing department, and then moved to Q8 where he worked in different locations and successfully led several business units, each achieving significant growth and historical operational profits. He served as Managing Director of Kuwait Petroleum Northwest Europe; Managing Director of Global Businesses; and General Manager of Q8 Aviation. Fadel is also currently the Board Chairperson for our JV retail company in Vietnam, Idemitsu Q8, and the Deputy Chairperson for our JV retail company in Sweden, OKQ8.

Fadel holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Imperial College in London, UK and a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Arizona in Tucson, USA. He is married with two children, lives in Kuwait City and travels very extensively to all Q8’s marketing operations.