Mazen Al-Sudairi,Chairman ofCapital Market Authority’s (CMA)
The Capital Market Authority’s (CMA) Chairman Mazen Al-Sudairi said directives from King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman underscore the importance of ensuring fairness and addressing challenges facing the market. 
The structural developments in the market over the past two years have necessitated a number of reforms, he added.
The regulator aims to redefine responsibilities among all parties involved in IPOs, said the top official, noting that CMA has investigated a number of previous offerings.
Al-Sudairi explained that the authority may tighten or ease regulations for each offering as needed until the appropriate balance is achieved. He stressed that the primary objective is to restore confidence in the market’s IPOs.
He also highlighted the need to increase the share allocated to retail investors in IPOs to 30%.
Regarding algorithmic trading, Al-Sudairi said foreign financial institutions are the most frequent users of algorithms in the market.
Speaking in an interview with Al Arabiya, Al-Sudairi said these measures are not intended to cause concern but rather to build confidence, emphasizing that the CMA’s main objective is to restore confidence in public offerings.
He added that the authority would continue to monitor the market, noting that the normal share of retail investors in IPOs should be 30%.
Regarding board remuneration, Al-Sudairi stressed that CMA’s role is to put companies back on track and improve the efficiency of boards and management, rather than cap board remuneration.
As for overseas investments, he said the authority has not interfered with investment choices abroad and did not exercise oversight over such decisions. He emphasized that its role is to protect investors and that the requirements imposed are the same as those applied domestically.
According to Argaam’s data, a royal decree was issued on August 13, 2026, appointing Mazen Al-Sudairi as CMA Chairman, with the rank of minister, succeeding Mohammed El-Kuwaiz. He became the sixth person to head the authority’s board.
Since Al-Sudairi’s appointment, the market regulator has put forward several draft regulations for public consultation, including a proposal to improve IPO practices, draft restrictions on algorithmic trading, a proposal governing the conduct of securities business in financial markets outside Saudi Arabia, and draft regulations governing earnings calls.
Mazen Al-Sudairi,Chairman ofCapital Market Authority’s (CMA)
The Capital Market Authority’s (CMA) Chairman Mazen Al-Sudairi said directives from King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman underscore the importance of ensuring fairness and addressing challenges facing the market.
The structural developments in the market over the past two years have necessitated a number of reforms, he added.
The regulator aims to redefine responsibilities among all parties involved in IPOs, said the top official, noting that CMA has investigated a number of previous offerings.
Al-Sudairi explained that the authority may tighten or ease regulations for each offering as needed until the appropriate balance is achieved. He stressed that the primary objective is to restore confidence in the market’s IPOs.
He also highlighted the need to increase the share allocated to retail investors in IPOs to 30%.
Regarding algorithmic trading, Al-Sudairi said foreign financial institutions are the most frequent users of algorithms in the market.
Speaking in an interview with Al Arabiya, Al-Sudairi said these measures are not intended to cause concern but rather to build confidence, emphasizing that the CMA’s main objective is to restore confidence in public offerings.
He added that the authority would continue to monitor the market, noting that the normal share of retail investors in IPOs should be 30%.
Regarding board remuneration, Al-Sudairi stressed that CMA’s role is to put companies back on track and improve the efficiency of boards and management, rather than cap board remuneration.
As for overseas investments, he said the authority has not interfered with investment choices abroad and did not exercise oversight over such decisions. He emphasized that its role is to protect investors and that the requirements imposed are the same as those applied domestically.
According to Argaam’s data, a royal decree was issued on August 13, 2026, appointing Mazen Al-Sudairi as CMA Chairman, with the rank of minister, succeeding Mohammed El-Kuwaiz. He became the sixth person to head the authority’s board.
Since Al-Sudairi’s appointment, the market regulator has put forward several draft regulations for public consultation, including a proposal to improve IPO practices, draft restrictions on algorithmic trading, a proposal governing the conduct of securities business in financial markets outside Saudi Arabia, and draft regulations governing earnings calls.
