Sanad, Rolls-Royce to develop training program to foster future aviation leaders

Global aerospace engineering giant Sanad unveiled a new collaboration with Roll Royce focusing on nurturing the next generation of leaders in the aviation sector.

The agreement was signed at the Farnborough International Airshow, an aerospace and defense event attended by global industry leaders, in the presence of Amer Siddiqui, Group Chairman of Sanad, Ismail Ali Abdulla, Head of UAE Clusters at Mubadala, and Omar Ali Adib, Senior Vice President of Rolls-Royce.

Starting from September 2025, Rolls-Royce and Sanad will jointly select talents from Sanad who demonstrate robust leadership potential to join the Rolls-Royce team in the United Kingdom for a six-month period. 

“By combining our expertise and resources, we aim to create exceptional development pathways for future aviation leaders, driving innovation and excellence within the industry,” Omar Ali Adib, Senior Vice President of Rolls-Royce added. 

This annual initiative is aimed at equipping future leaders with industry-leading skills in aerospace Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) operations, thereby bolstering both Sanad’s and the United Arab Emirates’ efforts to cultivate top-tier talent in the aviation industry.

“Sanad’s long-standing partnership with Rolls-Royce since 2013 in the MRO of the Trent 700 engine exemplifies our shared commitment to excellence,” said Mansoor Janahi, Managing Director and Group CEO of Sanad.

Sanad is wholly-owned by Abu Dhabi’s sovereign investor Mubadala Investment Company PJSC (Mubadala). 

“Mubadala has maintained a strong and productive relationship with Rolls-Royce for many years, and we are excited to elevate this collaboration to new heights. This partnership will significantly benefit Abu Dhabi and further our ambition to establish it as a global aviation hub,” Ismail Ali Abdulla, Mubadala Head of UAE Clusters.

Furthermore, this move highlights Sanad’s steadfast commitment to developing aviation talent and leaders, by fostering such collaborations with leading global aerospace organizations. Sanad is directing its focus on investing in human capital, strengthening the aviation supply chain, and showcasing the power of strategic partnerships.