Today we are hosting one of Saudi Arabia’s leading businessmen: Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Saad Al-Ajlan—Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mohammed Saad Al-Ajlan Sons Company and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shimag Al-Bassam— Through God’s grace first and foremost, followed by diligent work, perseverance, patience, honesty, and integrity, he has achieved success in a wide range of business activities by competing in the market under the banner of innovation and development. This has led his company to dominate (50%) of the ”ashmagh market“ in the Kingdom and the Gulf states by offering various products under the ”Al-Bassam Ashmagh” brand, such as ”Al-Basma,“ ”Balas,” and ”Mayfair,” as well as ”Johnlin“ and ”Al-Mithali.” ”Riyadh: Abdulaziz Al-Ajlan was born in the “Al-Deira neighborhood“ in what is now the ”Al-Ma’iqaliya district“ within Riyadh. When he was about six years old, he moved to a new house known at the time as ”Al-Amara,“ a name derived from the building’s size. It was a fortified palace near the train station, with his father’s commercial warehouses on the lower floors and living quarters above. At that time, it was a landmark among Riyadh’s buildings. He later moved to the ”Al-Takhasusi“ neighborhood and finally the ”Al-Thaghr“ neighborhood. He began his education at Al-Khalidiyah School, then transferred to the ”Saudi“ School on “Al-Rail Street,” and later to Al-Andalus Elementary School. Afterward, he attended the Third Intermediate School and then Al-Nasr High School. He then moved to “Britain,” where he completed his studies, and upon returning to the Kingdom, Sheikh Abdulaziz began working as a messenger between stores and customers. He then worked as a cashier and supervisor at his father’s office—may God have mercy on him—until his father’s passing; he was 20 years old at the time. He inherited an established business and worked to implement a philosophy of renewal, continuing to earn public satisfaction with “Shamagh Al-Bassam.” He believed it was his duty to persevere and maintain the business’s leading position, given that his brothers—with the exception of two of his seven sisters and “Abdullah” —may God have mercy on him—noting that he worked hand in hand with his brother to preserve what their father had left them, as well as to develop it. Subsequently, all the siblings agreed to work diligently together without parting ways to this very day.
«Al-Ajlan” was able to preserve his father’s legacy—may God have mercy on him—and the rights of his siblings. Subsequently, the company was renamed ”Mohammed bin Saad Al-Ajlan Sons Company," and, by the grace of God, he remains proud to have preserved his father’s legacy and handed over their funds to his brothers and sisters in full, while also earning their love and affection—which is the most precious thing he possesses. Following this success, the company expanded into several areas, including agriculture, financial and real estate investments, as well as significantly developing its well-known product, the "Shimag Al-Bassam."
Regarding social responsibility programs and the role expected of the private sector and businesspeople, Al-Ajlan explained that businesspeople have contributed a great deal, but this is not enough for the nation; it needs much, much more from them. He urged business leaders not to focus solely on demanding the rights of the private sector without regard for the public interest of the nation and its citizens, He also urged them to take the ordinary consumer into consideration. Regarding the contributions of the sons of Sheikh Muhammad bin Saad Al-Ajlan to social responsibility, he explained that they have made numerous contributions to serving the community that he does not wish to disclose, as they are done for the sake of Allah, but that these contributions, though many, are still insufficient.
