Saudi Gazette report

DHAHRAN — Saudi Aramco has moved to strengthen its leadership team by appointing Mark Weinberger, former chairman of Ernst & Young and adviser to four US presidents, to its board of directors to replace Andrew Gould.

On behalf of the Board, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of Aramco’s Board of Directors, welcomed Weinberger and expressed his appreciation to Gould for his dedication and invaluable contributions to the Board.

“I would like to extend my warm thanks and best wishes to my fellow Board members, with whom I have been privileged to serve for over six years. I am honored to have been a part of Aramco during a truly transformational period in its history and I look forward with confidence to the company’s continued success,” Gould said.

Weinberger was a former adviser to President Donald Trump, whom he described as “open” and “verbal” in his attitude toward business leaders on the advisory councils of the early days of his presidency.

As a former member of one of Trump’s now-disbanded advisory councils, he said the president was very positive in his dealings with business leaders. He also held posts in the administrations of Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

Weinberger, who has a reputation as an advocate for corporate governance, said: “I am honored to be joining the board of Aramco at this important time in the company’s history and world events. I look forward to helping the board continue to make the most of the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, and deliver value for all of Aramco’s shareholders.”

Gould resigned from the board for personal reasons last month. Weinberger’s appointment brings the Aramco board to 11 members under chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, and is the board’s fifth independent director.