e& has announced that Group Chief Executive Officer Hatem Dowidar will step down at the end of March 2026, bringing to a close a six-year tenure during which the company moved beyond its core telecommunications business.
The board has accepted Hatem Dowidar’s resignation, with his last day in office set for March 31, 2026, the company confirmed in a statement.
The board has appointed Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, currently chief executive of e& UAE, as group chief executive officer with effect from April 1, 2026. Mahmood will hold the dual roles of group CEO and CEO of e& UAE.
Hatem Dowidar steps down as e& Group CEO
Dowidar has led e& since 2020, overseeing a period of transformation and expansion as the group moved from a regional telecom operator into a technology company with a presence across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe.
During his tenure, e& expanded into digital services, fintech, enterprise solutions and digital lifestyle platforms.
The announcement came as e& reported record financial results for 2025, with the company posting growth in revenue, profit and subscribers. The results were driven by international operations and new digital businesses.
