LR appoints new Chief Technology and Innovation Officer

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has appointed Chakib Abi-Saab to its newly created role of Chief Technology and Innovation Officer (CTIO).

Abi-Saab, who was previously with Bahri (formerly known as the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia) as their Chief Technology Officer, joins LR with considerable expertise in technology and digital enablement from both maritime and the oil and gas industry. Before his time with Bahri, Abi-Saab held executive roles at ship management company OSM, offshore energy provider Bumi Armada and Oil and Gas Services provider Baker Hughes.

The new position of CTIO will see the merging of the Chief Technology Officer and IT roles, aligning the executive leadership team as LR accelerates its transformation and supports its innovation activities focussed on maritime digitalisation.

Nick Brown, CEO, Lloyd’s Register said: “We are excited to welcome Chakib to LR as he brings a track record of leading digital transformations in high-profile organisations. His skill, experience and expertise will enable us to further evolve our daily activities and work with our clients as a trusted maritime advisor, supporting them as they respond to the regulatory, economic and societal pressures to digitalise and decarbonise within challenging timeframes.”

Chakib Abi-Saab, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Lloyd’s Register said: “I am thrilled to join Lloyd’s Register in the newly created role of CTIO and I look forward to adding my expertise, accrued from 25 years in the maritime industry, to the executive leadership team.

Digital transformation is happening over the next few years, and it is one of the key reasons as to why I am so excited to be joining LR. Together, we will have the opportunity to be part of, and to help drive the transformation of not just one company but the industry as a whole.”

The appointment follows the expansion of LR’s existing digital solutions with the recent acquisition of OneOcean, a leading supplier of voyage compliance, safety and environmental solutions.