The Qiddiya Investment Co. recently announced the appointment of Abdullah Al-Dawood to its board of directors as managing director.  The company, a subsidiary of the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), said he has extensive experience and knowledge in a number of fields and major projects. Al-Dawood is CEO of Seera Group, one of the Middle East and North Africa’s (MENA) largest travel and tourism groups. He is also chairman of Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), another subsidiary of the PIF, as well as chairman of Al-Raedah Finance Co. Al-Dawood has contributed to the development of the entertainment sector in the Kingdom in line with the objectives of the nation’s Vision 2030 development plan. He obtained a bachelor’s degree with honors in business administration from King Saud University. Al-Dawood holds two master’s degrees with honors from Georgetown University in the US, in political science and international relations, and in business administration. He sits on several boards, including the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul), Rou’a Al-Madinah (another subsidiary of PIF) and Careem. Al-Dawood has more than 11 years of experience in investment banking, and has held executive positions at several leading banks, including Deutsche Bank, where he served as vice president of investment banking in charge of MENA operations. Qiddiya is one of the biggest investments in the future of entertainment in the Middle East. Construction has already begun on Qiddiya, which is located just 40 minutes from Riyadh, and the site will first open for activities in 2023.