Ray Gammell
Chairperson
Ray Gammell is Chief Corporate Development & Enablement Officer at Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia's new national airline, where he plays a key role in building one of the world's most ambitious aviation start-ups. Riyadh Air is central to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals, aiming to connect Saudi Arabia to over 100 destinations and welcome 150 million visitors annually by the end of the decade.
Originally from Greystones, County Wicklow, Ray began his career as an officer in the Irish Defence Forces before moving into the corporate sector. He has held senior executive positions at Intel Corporation in the US and Ireland, Ulster Bank, and Royal Bank of Scotland.
In 2009, Ray joined Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi as Chief People and Performance Officer, where he built the airline's award-winning people strategy and performance culture. In May 2017, he was appointed Interim Group CEO of Etihad Aviation Group — one of three Irish executives leading global aviation groups at that time.
Ray holds a Master's degree from University College Dublin and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development. He also served on the Board of Dublin Airport Authority (daa) for five years until 2025.
With over 25 years of leadership experience in the Gulf region and a distinguished international career spanning aviation, technology, banking, and defence, Ray brings invaluable expertise to the Irish Business Network as it supports the growing Irish community in Saudi Arabia.
Welcome
A Chairde,
Welcome to the Irish Business Network in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and thank you for visiting our website.
The Irish Business Network exists to support "Ireland Inc." in the Kingdom by strengthening ties between Ireland and Saudi Arabia, enabling Irish enterprise, and supporting our growing professional community. We are a volunteer-led, professionally driven organization committed to delivering practical value, trusted networks, and high-quality engagement.
As Saudi Arabia continues its ambitious transformation, it offers exceptional opportunities for Irish companies across sectors including aviation, agriculture and food, technology, financial services, construction, education, healthcare, and sustainability. The IBN plays an active role in helping businesses access these opportunities, build strong partnerships, and succeed in the Saudi market.
Supporting Irish professionals and their families is central to our mission. Through our events and community activities, we foster strong personal and professional connections and provide practical support. Together with the Embassy, and our community partners Naomh Alee GAA, and the Riyadh Irish Society, we are proud to be at the heart of the Irish community in the Kingdom.
We are equally committed to promoting Ireland as a destination for Saudi investment, strengthening two-way trade, and supporting companies seeking access to European and global markets.
Our close partnership with Enterprise Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland ensures strong alignment with Ireland's trade, investment, and diplomatic priorities, enabling us to deliver tangible outcomes for businesses and professionals across the Kingdom.
Since our establishment in 2015, the IBN has been built through the dedication and voluntary commitment of many individuals. Their professionalism and leadership have laid strong foundations for our continued growth and impact.
Furthermore, we strive to serve members across all regions of Saudi Arabia, ensuring our support remains accessible, relevant, and inclusive.
I encourage you to explore our website and register to stay informed about our events and initiatives. Your engagement and feedback are vital to our success, and I warmly welcome your participation.
On behalf of the IBN Committee, I look forward to working with you and meeting you at one of our upcoming events.
With kind regards,
Ray Gammell