Emirates' purchasing chief first Arab worldwide to become fellow of top procurement body

Saeed Mohammed, Emirates' Senior Vice President Procurement & Logistics, was awarded the fellowship, which carries the designatory letters of FCIPS.

The award is only made to procurement professionals who have both demonstrated a significant contribution to the profession and achieved a recognised senior status within it. With some 36,000 CIPS members worldwide, only around 100 have achieved this level of distinction.

Emirates' Chairman, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, congratulated Mr Mohammed on his achievement, commenting: "Procurement plays an important role in the financial health of a company and I commend Saeed Mohammed for his dedication in promoting the best practices of this discipline, both within the Emirates Group and the UAE in general."

Following his graduation from India, Mr Mohammed began his career in purchasing with Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL), where he obtained professional procurement qualifications from the UK, and went on to become a MCIPS (member of CIPS).

Since joining Emirates' purchasing team three years ago, Mr Mohammed has introduced the CIPS certification programme in purchasing and supply management for its UAE national management employees.

He said: "Training in effective purchasing and supply is critical nowadays for any company's management to reduce costs and curb overheads and, as a UAE National, I have been working hard to promote these qualifications within the business community.

"I feel honoured that my efforts have been recognised by the institute which I hope will help in increasing awareness of the qualifications and the benefits they bring to any organisation."