There are careers that begin with meticulous planning, and there are journeys that unfold through conviction and purpose. For George Eapen, the Acting Chief Financial Officer at SENAAT (previously Zamil Industrial) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, what began as a simple high school decision between science, arts and finance, evolved into a lifelong pursuit of excellence in finance and leadership. His story is one of quiet determination, guided by values that mirror the very principles upon which SENAAT was built: integrity, learning and purpose.
Discovering the Path to Finance
George often reflects on a defining moment in his early education. In the tenth grade, he had to
choose a path among science, arts and finance. While most
of his peers leaned toward
science, George recognized that his strengths lay
elsewhere. Mathematics
appealed to his analytical mind, but science did not resonate with him. Finance, on
the other hand, offered something more tangible, a practical way to understand
how businesses operate and how financial decisions shape the world.
Influenced by family members who were pursuing Chartered Accountancy, he
found himself intrigued by the rhythm of balance sheets and the logic of
accounting. What began as a spark of curiosity slowly transformed into
conviction. His decision to pursue finance marked not just an academic choice
but the beginning of a lifelong relationship with financial discipline and
strategic clarity.
It was not about chasing numbers. It was about understanding what those numbers meant, the stories they told about growth, performance and resilience.
Laying the Foundation
George’s professional journey began in Mumbai, India, where he served as
an Assistant Audit Manager. This formative
experience taught him the essence of precision and accountability. Every
financial statement and every audit trail were a reflection of trust.
A New Beginning in Saudi Arabia
Opportunity often arrives quietly, disguised as change. When George
joined SENAAT in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, he entered a world that would become
both his professional home and his personal mission.
It was 1998, and the industrial landscape of Saudi Arabia was expanding
rapidly. SENAAT was one of the pioneers, a company built on the vision of
integrating engineering, manufacturing, and innovation to shape the future of
construction and industrial services.
George’s journey with SENAAT
began at its subsidiary, Zamil Steel, where he took on his first role as
a Cost Accountant.
Those
early years left a lasting impression, his superiors became his mentors,
instilling in him the values of precision, integrity and accountability.
He recalls those early years as a time of relentless learning. The long
hours spent analyzing reports and understanding the operations shaped his
attention to detail and instilled a discipline that would define his entire
career.
The corporate world was evolving rapidly at the time, and George
understood that true financial stewardship required more than technical
knowledge. It demanded empathy, patience and the ability to see beyond the
accounting ledger, to see people, processes and possibilities.
More than two decades
later, George’s story is not merely one of career advancement but of evolution
from mastering numbers to mastering leadership. His journey from Cost
Accountant at Zamil Steel to Acting Chief Financial Officer at SENAAT is
a reflection of enduring loyalty, adaptability and growth within one of the
Kingdom’s most respected industrial powerhouses. What defines him is not just
the positions he has held but the values he has sustained: integrity, empathy
and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Growth Within a Growing Vision
To understand George’s journey is to understand SENAAT’s evolution. What
began as Zamil Industrial has now transformed into SENAAT, a name that
represents progress, modernization, and alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. The
rebranding, finalized just weeks ago, reflects a renewed identity that honors
legacy while embracing innovation.
SENAAT operates across four strategic sectors: Fabricated Steel, HVAC,
Insulation and Construction, serving more than fifty countries and employing
over eleven thousand people. With twenty manufacturing facilities across four
nations, it continues to deliver solutions that strengthen global
infrastructure while maintaining its Saudi roots.
For George, this transformation is deeply personal. Having witnessed the
company’s growth from within, he views SENAAT not just as a corporation but as
a living ecosystem of ideas, people and values.
“The culture here is truly special,” he reflects. “It’s never just about
what we produce, but about how we grow together, as teams, as leaders and as a
family of professionals united by a common goal.”
The Culture That Sustains Excellence
SENAAT’s strength isn’t measured just by its scale but by its culture.
The company’s core values of honesty, integrity, professionalism and mutual
prosperity are not mere words for George. They have shaped his leadership
philosophy.
He often emphasizes that the true essence of finance is trust. Managing
financial systems that support operations across continents requires
transparency and respect. “Numbers are only as strong as the people who stand
behind them,” he says. “When there is integrity in the process, there is
confidence in the outcome.”
This mindset has helped George navigate challenges, from market fluctuations to organizational transitions. His leadership style is defined by calm decisiveness, a willingness to listen and an ability to mentor others with humility.
SENAAT: Building the Future of Industry
Under its new identity, SENAAT continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of industrial solutions. It supports the region’s mega projects, ensuring world-class quality and durability.
SENAAT: Building the Future of Industry
Under its new identity, SENAAT continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of industrial solutions. It supports the region’s mega projects, ensuring world-class quality and durability.
The Fabricated Steel sector since its establishment in 1977, Zamil Steel has grown into one of the region’s largest manufacturers of fabricated steel structures. Its broad catalogue, spanning Pre-engineered buildings, heavy structural steel, pressure vessels, joists, and decking panels, serves industrial, commercial, aviation, energy, and defense applications. Zamil Steel also has factories in Vietnam, Egypt, and India
Its HVAC sector, established in 1974, Zamil Air Conditioners, is the Middle East’s longest-established HVAC manufacturer and a regional manufacturing beacon. Its portfolio covers residential window and split units, packaged and rooftop systems, chillers, marine and specialized industrial equipment, plus district-cooling solutions. Its Insulation Sector, established in 2009, Gulf Insulation Group (GIG) is the leading provider of insulation solutions committed to sustainability, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Since its inception, GIG has been a driving force in the region, spearheading the development and manufacturing of high-quality insulation products that cater to diverse industry requirements.
The Construction sector, ZODCON, formed by merging Zamil Steel Construction Company and Zamil Projects, bundles the Group’s civil, structural, MEP, and systems-integration expertise into a single execution powerhouse Together, these four sectors make SENAAT a one-stop provider of industrial and construction excellence.
For George, these achievements symbolize more than corporate milestones. They represent the shared dream of thousands of people who believe in Saudi innovation. “Every product we make, every project we deliver, carries a part of who we are,” he often says. “That sense of ownership is what keeps us strong.”
From Stability to Sustainability
The global economy has changed dramatically over the past two decades.
From oil price fluctuations to technological disruptions, financial leaders
like George have had to balance stability with adaptability. His focus,
however, has always remained clear, to build financial systems that support
both growth and sustainability.
He views sustainability not merely as environmental responsibility but
as a financial philosophy. “True sustainability,” he explains, “is about
ensuring that every decision we make today strengthens our ability to serve
tomorrow.”
This forward-looking approach aligns perfectly with Saudi Vision 2030,
which seeks to diversify the Kingdom’s economy and establish it as a global hub
of innovation and industry. Under George’s financial stewardship, SENAAT
continues to invest in operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness and digital
transformation, ensuring its competitiveness in a rapidly evolving world.
Leadership Through Learning
Over the years, George has remained a lifelong student of his craft. He
believes that leadership is not about authority but about learning
continuously. “I have learned as much from my juniors as I have from my
seniors,” he admits with quiet pride.
Within his teams, he encourages curiosity and collaboration. Whether it
is mentoring young professionals or refining financial strategies, his approach
is always inclusive. His leadership philosophy reflects SENAAT’s broader
commitment to cultivating talent and building a culture of growth and mutual
prosperity.
The success of a company, he believes, is measured not only by profits
but by the progress of its people. “When you see someone, you have mentored
taking on a larger role,” he smiles, “that is a success that no statement of
financial position can quantify.”
Resilience, Loyalty, and Legacy
In today’s fast-paced
corporate world, staying with one organization for more than twenty-five years
is increasingly rare. For George,
this longevity is not about comfort but about purpose. He has witnessed the
company evolve, adapt and thrive, and in that evolution, he has grown alongside
it. Every role brought new challenges and lessons. From mastering financial
reporting in his early days to the strategic oversight of global operations,
his journey reflects the story of a professional who has grown with the times
without losing sight of his values.
“It is not about how quickly you rise,” he reflects, “but about how
deeply you stay rooted in what matters.”
A Vision of Continuity
As SENAAT enters a new era under its renewed identity, George sees the
future with optimism. The company’s rebranding is not just a change of name but
a reaffirmation of its mission, to create superior value for business and
community.
With annual revenues exceeding six billion and a growing international
presence, SENAAT continues to strengthen its position as a national enabler of
transformation. George’s role in this journey remains pivotal, guiding the
company’s financial strategies with prudence and foresight.
For him, the next chapter is about ensuring that SENAAT remains not only
financially strong but also socially responsible and environmentally conscious.
“We are building the infrastructure of tomorrow,” he reflects, “and that comes
with the responsibility to do it right.”
A Life Shaped by Purpose
When asked what has kept him motivated through the decades, George
pauses thoughtfully. “It’s the people,” he says simply. “The culture, the
commitment and the sense of belonging, makes you want to give your best every single
day.”
His story is not one of overnight success but of steady growth, shaped
by integrity and guided by purpose. From his early days in Mumbai to his
leadership at SENAAT, George has embodied the values that define both the
company and the man himself: honesty, diligence and a deep respect for
learning.
Throughout his journey, George embodies the timeless qualities of great leadership. True leaders do not chase greatness. They cultivate it quietly, through each thoughtful decision, every meaningful relationship and every act of faith.
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