John Sfakianakis

John Sfakianakis serves as chief economist and head of economic research at the Gulf Research Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he directs analysis on regional economies, oil policies, privatization, fiscal management, and debt strategies. Sfakianakis advises global corporations on the complexities of the Middle East and North Africa, drawing from experience in senior roles across government, banking, and private investment firms. As a frequent media commentator on Bloomberg, CNBC, BBC, and CNN, and a contributor to Financial Times, The New York Times, and Foreign Affairs, Sfakianakis provides insights on economic trends and policy developments in the region.

Throughout his career, Sfakianakis has held positions including Middle East director at Ashmore Group, chief investment strategist at MASIC, and chief economic advisor to the Saudi minister of finance. He has also served as group general manager and chief economist at Banque Saudi Fransi, chief Middle East economist at Credit Agricole C.I.B., and chief economist at Saudi British Bank/HSBC and Samba Financial Group. His work includes issuing the first business confidence index and real estate price index report by a Saudi bank, as well as advisory roles at the Ministry of Economy and Planning, the United Nations Development Programme, and the World Bank.

Sfakianakis holds academic affiliations as a senior scholar at Pembroke College, University of Cambridge, a fellow at Judge Business School and Said Business School, and an associate fellow at Chatham House Middle East and North Africa Programme. As a board member of the Cambridge Middle East and North Africa Forum, he is a keynote speaker on Gulf economics, investment strategies, and geopolitical developments.