Andrew Pearcey is an inspirational leader with vision and big picture thinking that sets clear direction and, equally importantly, the ability to motivate people to deliver that vision.

Formerly Chief Operating Officer for the World Defense Show, Andrew stepped seamlessly into the role of CEO shortly before the outstanding debut event in 2022. He holds responsibility for the show’s overall organization and success, working in close liaison with the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI).

As CEO, Andrew oversees a permanent multicultural, multidisciplinary team of 50, which grows close to 150 in the run up to the event and during its execution. Through careful selection and nurturing, he ensures a strong level of Saudization in the team and a program of talent development throughout the organization.

This role builds on a 25-year career as an all-round strategic and commercial professional with challenging positions in events, advertising, brand management and sponsorship with clients ranging from telecoms to food and beverage. These roles have seen him lead and deliver high profile partnerships and events including: Orange Wednesdays; the BAFTAs; Glastonbury, EE’s Wembley partnership, Orange RockCorps, Budweiser’s FIFA World Cup campaign and the London music festival Bud Rising.

Most recently, Andrew spent five years as Chief Marketing & Insight Officer for the ADS Group (UK trade association for Aerospace, Defense, Security and Space) and its wholly owned subsidiary venue and event business Farnborough International. At FI, Andrew was a board director, responsible for the strategic direction and commercial marketing activities of key business units, including media and communications and sponsorship of the international aviation events.

Andrew holds a degree in business studies, with a major in marketing, from Middlesex University in his native UK, and professional qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

He is married with three children and a dog called Mabel. A fan of the beautiful game, Andrew is an FA qualified football coach and managed children’s football teams in the UK.

A former fighter pilot, Mansour Al-Babtain is a dynamic and result-oriented professional with extensive experience working with high-level government figures and private sector leaders.

Mansour joined the World Defense Show (WDS) in April 2021. His role is to liaise between WDS, the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) and the key stakeholders involved in the show. The department coordinates and links WDS business owners with the required government entities, ensures the security of the location and people, prior, during and post the show, and manages the WDS committees.

From the initial show license to the security support, Al-Babtain handles the challenges of ensuring that military supplies, technology and personnel, are able to enter and exit the country without problem, as well as delivering an expectational cultural experience.

In addition to his pervious roles and responsibilities, he is leading some key show features for WDS 2026 second edition such as the delegation program, welcome speech, and welcome reception event that connects delegation and exhibitors.

Having graduated from King Faisal Air Academy, he served 12 years in the Royal Saudi Air Force as a fighter pilot, squadron leader and Tactical Intelligent Officer, before moving to the Minister of Defense’s office, on a protocol and relationship department Then to several government entities.

In addition to his degree in Aerial Sciences, Mansour holds a Masters in Strategic studies, from Air University in Alabama and a Diploma in Diplomatic & Political Relations from the International Arbitration Commission, Cairo.

Mansoor AlQarni is an accomplished strategic financial leader, with a proven track record of establishing successful cross-functional partnerships in both the private and public sector.

Mansoor joined the World Defense Show as Chief Financial Officer in 2021, a year before its successful inaugural event. Reporting directly to the CEO, he is responsible for all aspects of financial and procurement strategy and implementation, leading a shared services team. Equipped with almost 20 years of experience, Mansoor provides strategic recommendations to the CEO and members of the executive team to accurately benchmark the World Defense Show against other global events.

Mansoor’s present role capitalizes on his extensive experience in both the private and public sector, most recently as Executive Director of Finance & Procurement, for the G20 Saudi Secretariat, the largest event in Saudi Arabia.

Prior to this, Mansoor held numerous public sector roles, including Financial Advisor to the Assistant Minister and General Director of Financial Affairs, Ministry of Transport. In the private sector he has worked with both local and multinational companies across industry sectors including banking, telecommunications, oil & gas and aviation.

Mansoor holds a BSc in Accounting from the King Saud University in Riyadh and an MBA in Accounting from Troy University in Alabama, USA. Mansoor spends much of his spare time playing or watching football and loves to spend with his family.