Alba Strengthens Leadership Team with Three Strategic Appointments

Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world's largest aluminium smelter on one site, is pleased to announce three appointments to its leadership team -- Layla Al Qassab as Director of Finance, effective 1 September 2026; Taimur Tufail as Manager Legal, effective 23 August 2026; and Aysha Salem as Manager Organisation Development & HR Analytics, effective 06 September 2026.

These appointments further strengthen Alba's leadership capabilities as the Company continues to advance its strategic priorities, enhance organisational effectiveness and support sustainable long-term growth. 

Commenting on the new appointments, Alba's Chief Executive Officer, Ali Al Baqali, said:

"Layla, Taimur and Aysha bring significant expertise and leadership experience in their respective fields. Their appointments reflect Alba’s commitment to attracting high-calibre talent that will help drive performance, strengthen our capabilities and support the Company’s next phase of growth. We are pleased to welcome them and look forward to their contributions as we continue building a more agile, resilient and future-focused organisation."

Layla Al Qassab joins Alba with more than two decades of experience in finance, strategy and business transformation. Prior to joining the Company, she served as the Chief Financial Officer of The Benefit Company, where she led strategic initiatives across financial management, business transformation and corporate development. She previously held senior roles with BNP Paribas Middle East and PwC, and served on the boards of Sinnad WLL and Bahrain Fintech Bay WLL as well as advisory boards across the fintech and education sectors. Layla is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and holds a First-Class Honours Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Cardiff University. Her professional development includes the Oxford Senior Leadership Executive Programme at Saïd Business School, alongside executive programmes in Strategy and Leadership.

Taimur Tufail brings more than 10 years of legal advisory experience across mergers and acquisitions, corporate transactions and regulatory matters in the GCC and Pakistan. Prior to joining Alba, he was with Al Tamimi & Company, where he advised leading financial institutions, telecommunications groups, investment firms and listed entities on strategic transactions and corporate matters. Taimur is qualified as a Barrister in England and Wales and was recognised by IFLR1000 as a Rising Star for Corporate and M&A in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2025.

Aysha Salem joins Alba with 10 years of experience in organisational development, workforce planning and talent management. Most recently, she served as Senior Workforce Planning Specialist at Bapco Energies, where she partnered with leaders to enhance organisational effectiveness, workforce planning, organisation design and performance management. Aysha holds a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management from the University of Chichester, UK, together with a CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in HR Development and a CIPD Level 5 Diploma in Human Resources Management.