Youssef Salem, Chief Financial Officer

Founded in 1972, ADNOC Drilling is one of the largest integrated drilling service companies and is the sole provider of drilling and associated rig-related services to the ADNOC Group. Our expertise encompasses the entire spectrum of well drilling and completion, covering both conventional and unconventional reservoirs - on land, at sea and on artificial islands off the Abu Dhabi coastline.

Innovation: Over the past 12 months, Youssef Salem has redefined the finance function from a transactional support role into a technology-enabled value-creation engine. He embedded advanced analytics, scenario modelling, and real-time performance intelligence into financial planning and decision-making, enabling faster, higher-confidence capital allocation in a highly capital-intensive environment. He also institutionalized innovation governance by applying clear ROI thresholds, adoption KPIs, and post-implementation value tracking-ensuring that AI, automation, and advanced diagnostics deliver measurable returns rather than isolated pilots.

Through Enersol and targeted investments and partnerships, he steered capital toward AI-enabled platforms and advanced drilling technologies that improve operational predictability, cycle times, and safety outcomes.

Results & Impact: Under his financial leadership, ADNOC Drilling delivered its strongest performance on record in Full Year 2025, achieving 22% revenue growth to USD 4.9 billion, 11% net profit growth to USD 1.45 billion, and a 62% increase in free cash flow to USD 1.47 billion, while maintaining industry-leading returns with 35% ROE. He strengthened market confidence through improved guidance predictability and reinforced a long-term USD 6.8 billion dividend framework through 2030, with USD 1.0 billion dividends delivered in 2025 and a USD 1.05 billion annual floor set for 2026, positioning ADNOC Drilling as one of the region's most trusted and resilient energy services companies. His disciplined capital stewardship supported rapid growth and complex transactions while protecting cash flow visibility, balance sheet strength, and downside risk management.

Leadership & Sustainability: Youssef is a collaborative and empowering leader who bridges finance with operations, technology, and commercial teams, accelerating decision-making and ensuring innovation is commercially sound. He has developed future-ready finance talent by championing digital fluency, advanced analytics, and ESG finance capabilities. As Chair of the Sustainability Steering Committee, he embedded emissions, efficiency, and In-Country Value metrics directly into financial and operational decisions, aligning ADNOC Drilling's sustainability roadmap with ADNOC and UAE objectives and making decarbonization and governance integral to executive accountability.

Why Stevie: Youssef's distinctive contribution is the disciplined integration of financial performance, digital innovation, and sustainability into a single, scalable CFO operating model. He exemplifies the future of finance leadership and is a compelling contender for Most Innovative Finance Executive of the Year.