Karim Malash, chairperson and chief executive officer of M squared, has been named one of CNBC Arabia’s Top 100 Business Leaders for 2026.
The ranking identifies executives, founders, and innovators based on their measurable performance and tangible impact on Middle Eastern economies and markets, rather than media visibility. Nominations are assessed against transparent criteria across sectors including banking, investment, energy, utilities, technology, artificial intelligence, real estate, healthcare, retail, consumer goods, logistics, and trade.
Malash was recognised for his role in the regional real estate sector. With 30 years of experience across the real estate and oil and gas industries, he joined M squared in 2021 to direct the company’s expansion in the Egyptian market. The firm’s current portfolio includes “31 West,” a residential project in 6th of October City.
Before entering real estate development, Malash worked at oilfield services company Schlumberger, starting as a junior field engineer in 1996. He advanced to several management positions, including president of the Testing Services Product Line, where he directed global operations, and vice president for Global Supply Chain and Shared Services.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Alexandria University and an executive MBA from Erasmus University. He has also completed executive education programmes at Harvard University, IMD Business School, and the London School of Economics.
