Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Thursday, Apr 09, 2026

Saudi Arabia's Shihana Alazzaz Appointed as Chairperson of Intellectual Property Authority, Previously Deputy Secretary General of the Cabinet

Saudi Arabia's Shihana Alazzaz Appointed as Chairperson of Intellectual Property Authority, Previously Deputy Secretary General of the Cabinet

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman appointed Shihana Alazzaz as the new chairperson of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property.
Alazzaz was previously the deputy secretary general of the Council of Ministers but was relieved of her duties by a royal decree from King Salman.

She was the first woman to hold the deputy secretary general position, which she had held since July 2022.

Before that, Alazzaz served as secretary general and general counsel of the Board of Directors of the Public Investment Fund since August 2018.

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property is a government body responsible for protecting and supporting intellectual property in the Kingdom.

In 2017, Alazzaz joined the Public Investment Fund (PIF) as the head of transactions in the Legal Division.

She was a member of PIF's Management Committee and other executive committees.

Alazzaz chairs and serves on several boards and board committees of PIF portfolio companies.

She earned a bachelor's degree in law with honors from Durham University in the UK.

Before joining PIF, Alazzaz practiced law for nine years with various international law firms, including Baker McKenzie and Vinson & Elkins.

She is licensed to practice law in the Supreme Court of New York in the US and by the Ministry of Justice.

Alazzaz began her legal career as an associate at Baker McKenzie and later became a senior associate at Vinson & Elkins, where she was promoted to counsel in 2016.

In 2017, after leaving her previous firm, Alazzaz became the head of transactions at PIF (Public Investment Fund) in Saudi Arabia.

She is a pioneering female lawyer in the country and has spoken at various motivational conferences and seminars, such as the annual conference of international affairs at the American University of Colorado.

In 2016, Alazzaz was recognized as "The Deal Maker," and in 2020, she was included in Forbes Middle East's list of the 100 Most Powerful Women.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
King Street Aligns with Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund to Expand Alternative Investments in Middle East
Attack on Saudi Arabia’s Jubail Petrochemical Hub Raises Global Supply Concerns
Debate Emerges Over Saudi Strategic Decisions as Gulf Cooperation Council Dynamics Come Into Focus
Saudi Arabia Expands Full Workforce Localisation to 69 Professions in Major Labour Reform
Emerging Alliance of Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia Signals New Regional Power Dynamic Amid Iran Conflict
Iran Linked to Strikes Across Gulf States Following Refinery Attack Escalation
Saudi Arabia Voices Concern Over Fragile US–Iran Ceasefire Stability
Starmer Warns Sustained Effort Needed to Ensure US–Iran Ceasefire Holds
Saudi Arabia’s Key East-West Oil Pipeline Targeted Following Ceasefire Announcement
Iran Targets Saudi Arabia’s East-West Oil Pipeline in Escalating Regional Tensions
Trump Warns of Civilizational Stakes as Iran Halts Negotiations
Saudi Companies Expand Remote Work Measures Ahead of Iran-Related Security Concerns
Iran Warns of Strikes on Saudi Energy Infrastructure if US Targets Its Facilities
Iran Urges Civilians to Form Human Shields Around Nuclear Sites as Diplomatic Deadline Approaches
Saudi Arabia Raises Oil Prices to Record Premiums Amid Supply Pressures Linked to Iran Conflict
Key Saudi-Bahrain Causeway Closed Amid Heightened Security Concerns Linked to Iran
Formula One Calendar Gap Explained as Fans Await Next Grand Prix
Growing Strain on the Petrodollar System Comes Into Focus Amid Iran Conflict
Reported Strike on Saudi Arabia’s Jubail Complex Raises Global Energy Supply Concerns
FedEx Introduces New Digital Tool to Streamline Imports into Saudi Arabia
Iran Claims Strike on Saudi Arabia’s Jubail Petrochemical Complex Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Taiwan to Source Oil Shipments from Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Ports
Saudi Arabia Evacuates Riyadh Financial District as Precaution Amid Regional Tensions
Saudi Arabia Balances Ambitious Economic Vision Amid Regional Tensions and Financial Pressures
Budget Saudi Arabia Reports Strong Full-Year 2025 Financial Performance
Saudi Arabia Expands Investment in Capcom With Stake Reaching Six Percent
Saudi Arabia Assesses Significant Economic Impact From Regional Conflict Involving Iran
US Beef Secures Expanded Market Access in Saudi Arabia
Jordan and Saudi Arabia Declare Absolute Solidarity in Response to Iranian Threats
Saudi Arabia Raises Oil Prices to Record Premium Amid Strong Market Demand
California’s Salton Sea Emerges as Strategic Lithium Hub for Clean Energy Future
Iranian Drone Strike on US Embassy in Saudi Arabia Reportedly Targeted Intelligence Facility
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Meets French Embassy Official to Strengthen Bilateral Engagement
Saudi Arabia Calls on United States to Seize Strategic Opportunity to Reshape Middle East
Dating Apps Surge in Saudi Arabia as Social Norms Rapidly Evolve Among Youth
Saudi Arabia Detains Over Fourteen Thousand Illegal Residents in Week-Long Enforcement Drive
Saudi Foreign Minister Engages in Diplomatic Talks with Pakistan, Kuwait and Latvia on Regional Developments
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Cruise Missile as Regional Tensions Intensify
Saudi Stock Market Edges Higher as Tadawul Index Records Modest Gain
Underlying Rivalry Between Saudi Arabia and UAE Persists Despite Temporary Calm
Saudi Arabia’s Non-Oil Sector Contracts in March as Regional Tensions Weigh on Business Activity
Saudi Arabia Unveils Ambition to Establish Prestigious Global Prize Rivaling the Nobel
Saudi Crown Prince to Engage Wall Street in Push for Investment and Economic Expansion
Iran Accuses Saudi Arabia and UAE After Downing of Chinese-Made Drone
Saudi Arabia Condemns Attack on Hospital in Sudan, Calls for Protection of Civilians
Coordinated Drone Strike Targets CIA Facility Within US Embassy in Saudi Arabia
Italy’s Meloni Prioritises Energy Security and Strait of Hormuz Stability During Gulf Tour
Uncertainty Emerges Over Timeline and Direction of Saudi Arabia’s Ambitious Ski Resort Project
UAE and Saudi Arabia Escalate Strategy with Drone Operations Targeting Iran
Trump Delivers Characteristic Remarks on Saudi Crown Prince Amid Intensifying Iran Conflict
×