Prominent Business Leader Khalid Mohammad Kanoo Passes Away at 84

Manama, Bahrain   It is with profound sadness that the Kingdom of Bahrain mourns the passing of Mr. Khalid Mohammad Kanoo, the esteemed chairman of the Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Group (YBA Kanoo), who passed away yesterday at the age of 84.

Born in 1941, Khalid Kanoo was a towering figure in regional commerce, renowned for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the modernisation of Bahrain’s economy. Under his stewardship, the family-owned conglomerate expanded its footprint across the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and Asia emerging as one of the most respected and diversified business houses in the region. He was instrumental in driving YBA Kanoo’s Vision 2020 strategic transformation, emphasizing compliance, transparency, and fairness at every juncture

Beyond his corporate achievements, Mr. Kanoo played a pivotal role in fostering family businesses across the Gulf. He founded and served as president of the Bahrain Family Business Association, and held positions on numerous boards of banks and investment firms. He also chaired the Board of Trustees of the Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Award, recognizing excellence in entrepreneurship.

Mr. Kanoo was also a prolific author and a passionate cultural advocate. He penned two influential books "House of Kanoo" and "Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Future Challenges of the Chambers of the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries" and contributed extensively to discourse on family business dynamics. His creative talent extended to the arts, where he was known as a visual artist with several exhibitions to his name.

A sombre chapter in the group's history now comes to a close with his death. Khalid Mohammed Kanoo’s legacy will endure through the businesses he nurtured, the associations he shaped, and the countless professionals and families he inspired.

May his memory continue to guide Bahrain’s entrepreneurial spirit.