Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 41 | Page 56

CASE STUDY K halid Jalal is one of the leading IT figures in Bahrain – a country that is at the sharp end of Digital Transformation. He has extensive experience across the sector and is now firmly established as the IT leader of Bahrain- based Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill (GARMCO) with a multitude of global responsibilities. This is one of the largest downstream aluminium facilities in the Middle East and is a one-stop source for a wide range of premium aluminium flat rolled products, delivered to over 45 countries, directly from the Kingdom of Bahrain. GARMCO’s annual production capacity has been continuously expanded to include high-quality flat rolled aluminium products in various sizes and alloys, including sheets and coils. These products are exported to key markets around the world – stretching 56 INTELLIGENTCIO from Australia to the USA – to over 2,000 customers in more than 45 countries. Established in 1981 by the governments of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq and Qatar, GARMCO has steadily developed into a truly global organisation with a network of six subsidiaries and its associate companies spanning the Middle East, Asia, Far East, Australia, Europe and the USA. Today, the group employs over 600 people worldwide, and has an annual turnover exceeding US$450 million. Not surprisingly, leading its IT operations is a demanding task but Jalal has led by example to deliver outstanding performance – not just at the company’s headquarters but also for its global subsidiaries. After more than five years in his current role, he has been praised by colleagues for his excellent people management skills and has received their respect for his technical knowledge, comprehensive project management skills, as well as his understanding ofbusiness needs. Intelligent CIO talks with him about the need for IT leaders to be excellent communicators, a subject rarely mentioned in the tech community, and the requirement for continuous learning due to the dynamic nature of the IT sector. We also discuss the importance of IT leaders valuing their team, the versatility demanded of a modern CIO and the advanced nature of the IT scene in Bahrain. Can you tell me about your role at your current company? As Senior Group ICT Manager, I look after the entire ICT of GARMCO Head Office and www.intelligentcio.com