September 2026 MENA Moves Tracker: Savvy, ESL FACEIT Group, Roblox, and Babil Games among eight moves tracked this month
A regular roundup of talent moves shaping the MENA region
Eight appointments, departures, and promotions were tracked across the MENA games industry in September, headlined by the departure of one of the region's most senior executives.
Brian Ward stepped down as CEO of Savvy Games Group after four years leading the Saudi gaming investment company. Ward informed staff of his departure in an internal message, saying it was "the right time for new leadership" as Savvy enters its next phase. PIF deputy governor Turqi Alnowaiser stepped in as interim acting CEO.
Also at Savvy, Sadeem Alkathery was promoted to projects specialist, her third role at the company since joining as a business development associate in 2023.
ESL FACEIT Group expands in Riyadh
ESL FACEIT Group recorded two moves in September. Khalid Olayan, previously general manager at Savvy Games Group, joined the Esports Foundation as manager of special projects, bringing experience across gaming, marketing and business management.
Mohammed A. also joined ESL FACEIT Group's marketing team in Riyadh after more than three years at Savvy, arriving with a background in content creation, Twitch partnership, and Riot Games influencer work.
Roblox appointed Khaled Zakaria as developer relations manager for MENA and Türkiye, putting the Egyptian game developer at the front of the platform's regional push. Zakaria spent more than four years at Limbic Entertainment as a gameplay programmer and brings additional experience as an Unreal Engine instructor. He will serve as a first point of contact for developers, studios and publishers across both regions.
Yousef Hassan joined ESL FACEIT Group as senior director of global brand partnerships after more than five years at World Rugby, where he most recently served as head of commercial. His earlier career included stints at Octagon managing accounts for Mastercard, Expedia and Shell.
Babil Games brought on Adel Alhamwi as technical 3D artist after nearly three years at Mad Hook, while Jawaker tapped Murad Abu Arqoub as senior animator and sound engineer, with Arqoub also arriving from Babil Games where he spent three years as a visual artist and senior multimedia designer.
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