Masood M. Sharif Mahmood to lead e& as new group ceo from April 2026

In a significant leadership transition, e& (formerly Etisalat) has announced the appointment of Masood M. Sharif Mahmood as its new Group Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2026.

Mahmood will succeed Hatem Dowidar, who will step down on March 31, 2026, after a transformative six-year tenure that reshaped the company into a global technology powerhouse.

Dual leadership role

Mahmood will assume Group CEO responsibilities while continuing in his current role as CEO of e& UAE, a position he has held since 2021. The dual role reflects the board’s confidence in his leadership as the company enters its next phase of expansion.

The leadership change follows a record-breaking financial performance in 2025. e& reported consolidated revenues of AED 72.9 billion, marking a 23 percent increase year-on-year, while net profits surged 34 percent to AED 14.4 billion, the strongest results in the group’s history.

A seasoned industry leader

Mahmood brings more than 25 years of experience spanning telecommunications, technology, and investment management.

Before joining e&, he served as chief executive officer of Yahsat for nearly a decade. During his tenure, he oversaw the company’s international expansion and led its successful public listing in 2021.

He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from McGill University and a bachelor’s degree in Computer Systems Engineering from Boston University.

Strategic direction ahead

As Group CEO, Mahmood is expected to accelerate e&’s global growth strategy, strengthen its international portfolio, and expand its footprint across artificial intelligence, digital services, and fintech.

The appointment signals continuity in leadership while reinforcing E&'s ambition to position itself at the forefront of digital transformation across emerging and developed markets.