Microsoft has appointed Sayed Hashish as the Regional General Manager for Microsoft Gulf. He takes over the reins from Samer Abu Ltaif who held it for six years, and was recently appointed as President for Microsoft Middle East and Africa.
In his new role, Mr Hashish will be overseeing the company’s operations across the Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the UAE, driving strategic planning and shaping growth initiatives to enable digital transformation across sectors in the region through developing youth capabilities, encouraging local innovation, furthering the digital agenda and fostering a knowledge-based economy.
Mr Hashish who joined Microsoft in 1998, has spent over 10 years in Dubai and held key positions in the region to drive the company’s mission in empowering individuals and organizations to achieve more. Most recently he was General Manager for Microsoft’s Public Sector in Middle East and Africa. During his tenure, he led a diverse team of Microsoft employees based in 79 countries covering government, education, healthcare, public safety and national security sectors. Mr Hashish is a multiple winner of the Microsoft Circle of Excellence award for outstanding accomplishments that contributed to the success and growth of the company.
“Technology can transform education, nurture community innovation and create employment opportunities that fuel a sustained cycle of social and economic development. Digital transformation, applied strategically, can engage customers and citizens, empower employees, optimize operations and transform products and services. With Gulf governments marching forward with bold economic visions, this is an exciting time for us to play an important role in progressing Microsoft’s commitment to fuel growth and bring prosperity in the region by transforming businesses, societies and economies,” he said.
Mr Hashish will continue to be based in Dubai and lead the Gulf region to drive Microsoft’s plans through forging new partnerships. He believes that all industry sectors in the Gulf can benefit from Microsoft’s security platform and technologies such as cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, mobile enterprise apps and the Internet of Things. He is a strong advocate for digital transformation in education, as an enabler of self-sustaining economic growth and building generations with skills for the workforce.
With over 20 years in the IT industry, Mr Hashish has held many technical, sales and managerial roles across the Middle East and Africa. Prior to the position of MEA General Manager for Microsoft Public Sector, he was General Manager of Microsoft for North Africa, East Mediterranean and Pakistan (NEPA), driving strategy and growth initiatives for the region; turning it into one of Microsoft’s fastest growing markets.
