Strategic appointment underscores NetApp’s commitment to UAE’s Vision 2030 and AI-powered digital leadership
NetApp, the intelligent data infrastructure company, has announced the appointment of Bassel Kassem as Enterprise Regional Director (Country Manager) for the United Arab Emirates, strengthening its focus on fueling the UAE’s Vision 2030 agenda and advancing AI-powered digital transformation.
The move marks a pivotal step in NetApp’s UAE growth strategy as the company looks to expand its footprint across critical sectors including government, finance, healthcare, defense, and energy. In his new role, Bassel will oversee NetApp’s UAE operations, spearhead strategic execution, and work closely with customers and partners to deliver next-generation data infrastructure designed for an AI-first world.
“With deep domain expertise and a strong execution mindset, Bassel brings the leadership we need to scale in one of the world’s most dynamic digital economies,” said Suhail Hasanain, Senior Director & General Manager, Middle East & Africa at NetApp.
Driving transformation in the UAE
Suhail Hasanain emphasized that Bassel’s leadership will be instrumental in driving NetApp’s ambitions in one of the region’s most digitally progressive markets.
“His appointment reflects our belief in the UAE market and our intention to lead from the front as organizations embrace AI, cloud, and data-driven transformation at speed and scale.”
Bassel Kassem brings extensive regional leadership experience from senior roles at Rubrik, Nutanix, Cisco, and Juniper Networks, where he led transformative digital infrastructure programs. His expertise spans cloud, cybersecurity, data center modernization, and AI enablement, aligning closely with the UAE’s innovation-led national agenda.
Expressing his commitment to the role, Bassel said:
“I’m proud to take on this role at such a pivotal time in the UAE’s digital evolution. The country’s vision and ambition are unmatched. I’m excited to work closely with our ecosystem of customers, partners, and government leaders to accelerate transformation and help shape a data-powered, AI-driven future.”
Strategic expansion across the Middle East
Bassel’s appointment follows a series of strategic investments and leadership moves by NetApp across the Middle East, reflecting its dedication to local market development, technology leadership, and talent growth. The company remains aligned with initiatives such as the UAE Digital Government Strategy and Vision 2030, with a clear mission to empower organizations to unlock the full potential of their data—securely, efficiently, and at scale.
