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ADL’s Executive Leadership Workshop in Riyadh engages public- and private-sector leaders in discussions on the future of human capital in KSA, with findings published in an exclusive report

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Business and public-sector leaders convene in Riyadh to discuss the future of human capital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 Rare insights from business leaders and government figures are captured in ADL report: ‘Economic Diversification: The Human Side.’

 Senior representatives from PIF, government ministries, Nokia MEA, and HSBC Saudi Arabia, count among the participants.

 

 Following the success of previous editions, Arthur D. Little has hosted its third Executive Leadership Workshop in the Saudi capital city, Riyadh. The invite-only event at the JW Marriott gathered more than 30 prominent leaders from business and government for candid discussions on human capital as Saudi Arabia strives to achieve the ambitions set out in Vision  2030.

Companies and organizations represented on the day include Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Ministry of Economy and Planning, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing; Nokia Middle East and Africa, HSBC Saudi Arabia, Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions Authority, Diriyah Foundation, and SDM, among many others.

Topics on the agenda included (i) the existing skills gap in Saudi Arabia, (ii) the need to balance local and international talent, (iii) the impact of AI and automation, and (iv) adapting to change, with a focus on Gen Z. Across each of these timely topics, discussions revealed instructive insights that underscore the complexity and diversity of opinion that make human capital development so challenging – and that make KSA an exciting place to be.

During the roundtable, attendees reached consensus on several key points, including, but not limited to:

  • Bridging the skills gap involves the development of a long-term ecosystem.
  • Balancing foreign skills and local talent building requires a hybrid approach conducted on a sector-by-sector basis.
  • Saudi Arabia is home to a young population. Within two decades, the majority will be outside of working age, creating an urgent need for human capital resources, both local and global.
  • Implementing AI is no longer a choice in Saudi Arabia; it is a necessity. As such, the question is not whether to embrace AI, ,but how to manage and govern it for best results.
  • It is important to give young Saudis space to experiment and learn from mistakes in order to grow into the leaders of tomorrow.

Drawing on the first-hand experience and expertise shared during the roundtable, ADL has launched an exclusive report, ‘Economic Diversification: The Human Side’, which offers unique Saudi perspectives on the key issues, trends, and challenges shaping the human capital landscape in the Kingdom.

The new report also builds on the data, research, and analysis presented in this year’s global ADL CEO Insights study, ‘Positive in an Uncertain World: Confident CEOs Reskill Companies for AI-Driven Growth’. The 2024 study, which gathered the views of almost 300 business leaders from around the world, found that 66% of chief executives anticipate improvement in the global economic outlook over the next three to five years, up from 37% in 2023.

Underpinning this optimism are several trends, including the rising importance of artificial intelligence (AI). In the study, business leaders in Saudi Arabia reported significant progress towards the introduction of AI across their organizations, with a quarter possessing a compelling company-wide strategy and 38% stating that AI has been implemented across several departments. These findings position KSA as a leader; at the global level, just 13% of organizations have a holistic AI strategy for all departments and 4% report no strategic implementation at all.

Commenting on the topic of AI during the roundtable discussions, Prof. Selwa A. F. Al-Hazzaa, CEO & Founder of SDM, emphasized the importance of acting now to harness the power of emerging technology:  “If you’re not tech ready, you’ll be out of a job. If you embrace it, you won’t just have a job, you’ll be a leader.”

In the context not just of emerging technology but of evolving business needs across sectors, ADL Managing Partner, Thomas Kuruvilla, emphasizes the criticality of talent and skills development: “ADL’s CEO Insights 2024 highlights the importance of human capital, including the need for new skill sets and a whole new way of managing. It is a need that Saudi Arabia understands well, with 75% of executives in the Kingdom recognizing the importance of reskilling their employees.”

During the roundtable, Mohammed Babgi, Nomination and Remuneration Committee Member in Public Sector Organizations, homed in on recruitment in particular, highlighting the advances already made since the launch of Vision 2030 in 2016: “Over the last seven months we have significantly changed the way we attract top talent compared to the previous seven years.”

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HMH set to open a new hotel in Makkah and signs two key agreements at Arabian Travel Market 2025 

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 HMH Advances Regional Growth with New Makkah Hotel and Strategic Agreements at ATM
Corp Makkah Al Naseem Set to Redefine Pilgrim Hospitality in Line with Vision 2030
15 Years at ATM: HMH Strengthens Its Role as a Key Hospitality Partner in MENA
Hospitality Management Holdings (HMH), a leading hospitality group in the MENA region, is entering a significant phase of regional expansion with the upcoming opening of the Corp Makkah Al Naseem Hotel and two strategic agreements signed at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025. These developments highlight the company’s commitment to elevating hospitality standards while supporting Vision 2030 across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.
In Makkah, HMH is preparing to launch the Corp Makkah Al Naseem Hotel, a 460-room property strategically positioned to serve pilgrims visiting the holy city. Scheduled to open after this year’s Hajj season, the hotel combines elegant interiors with modern amenities to create a welcoming environment for spiritual reflection and physical rejuvenation. The property features comprehensive guest facilities including a fully equipped fitness centre, diverse dining options offering specialty cuisine, and a tranquil café – all thoughtfully designed to enhance the pilgrim experience.
Mr. Haytham Abdelaziz, Chief Operating Officer of HMH, commented: “Corp Makkah Al Naseem Hotel achieves a careful balance between contemporary comfort and spiritual sanctuary. We’ve designed every element to support guests’ wellbeing, from nourishing meals to peaceful surroundings, allowing them to focus completely on their pilgrimage.” The hotel’s opening forms part of HMH’s broader commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s religious tourism infrastructure development, aligning with national initiatives to enhance the experience for millions of annual visitors.
During ATM 2025, HMH solidified its regional expansion with two key agreements: a signed management contract for the 460-room Corp Makkah Al Naseem Hotel, strengthening its Eastern Province presence, and a memorandum of understanding for a new Dammam hotel development. These strategic moves demonstrate HMH’s balanced approach to serving both business and religious tourism sectors across the GCC.
“These agreements reflect our strategic expansion approach, perfectly aligned with our mission to serve diverse tourism sectors throughout the region,” Abdelaziz added. With over 2600 rooms either operational or in development, HMH is positioned to significantly influence the region’s hospitality landscape. The group continues to leverage regional travel trends and government-supported tourism initiatives to drive sustainable growth.
As HMH marks 15 years of participation at ATM, these achievements underscore its evolution as a trusted hospitality partner, delivering innovative, guest-centred solutions across MENA’s dynamic tourism market.

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DARIA bond II smartphone wins global accolades

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Designed by Multi Ways International, the DARIA bond II smartphone has clinched the prestigious Red Dot Design Award 2025. The distinction “Red Dot” has become established internationally as one of the most sought-after seals of quality for good design.
Red Dot stands for belonging to the best in design and business. The distinction is based on the principle of selection and presentation. Excellent design is selected by competent expert juries in the areas of product design, communication design, and design concepts.
This accolade joins five previous global awards that mark the device’s excellence in design and innovation.
The most recent prior win includes the NY Product Design Awards 2025, where DARIA bond II smartphone was honored as a Gold winner.
The NY Product Design Awards was launched to honor the efforts of talented product designers, design teams, and manufacturers from all over the world, whose designs have made daily living that much better with their practical and ingenious creations.
Recognizing that excellence exists in various forms in the design industry, the NY Product Design Awards intends to celebrate excellence in all its facets that are found in design work and its designers.
Halil Chaglar, CEO, Multi Ways International, said that DARIA bond II smartphone recognition on global level is a huge achievement, adding that winning the Red Dot Design Award 2025 highlights DARIA bond II smartphone’s position as more than just a smartphone, it’s a vision for the future of mobile technology, where style, speed, and smart systems meet as the smartphone is packed with impressive and incredible specifications.
He noted that the DARIA bond II smartphone was chosen based on key Red Dot criteria such as innovation, functionality, and design quality.
“Its sleek look, intuitive experience, and smart Web3 integration met and exceeded the jury’s expectations, highlighting Multi ways’ commitment to forward-thinking design”. Chaglar added.
“Equipped with advanced features, the DARIA bond II smartphone offers a seamless mobile experience backed by a powerful processor, AI-driven tools, and a camera built for clarity. Its minimalist design and blockchain-based ecosystem set it apart in today’s smartphone market.
Discover the award-winning DARIA bond II smartphone at dariamobile.com. Join the next generation of users redefining how we interact with mobile devices.” Chaglar concluded.

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Ruder Finn Atteline Bolsters MENA Leadership Team with Strategic Appointments

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• The integrated communications agency’s recent hires include an Executive Vice President alongside three Account Directors across multiple divisions
• The new leadership with strong integrated communications expertise supports Ruder Finn Atteline’s recent rebrand and overall growth strategy across MENA

MENA – 24 April 2025: Ruder Finn Atteline, a global integrated marketing and communications consultancy and the MENA arm of the Ruder Finn group, has strategically expanded its leadership team over the past year with four senior appointments. These hires support the agency’s ongoing efforts to expedite its regional growth strategy across the Middle East and North Africa, while also strengthening its Corporate Division and newly launched Automotive, Travel & Tourism, and Sports & Entertainment practices.
Sophie Simpson, Managing Director of Ruder Finn Atteline – MENA, commented: “Our evolution as Ruder Finn Atteline isn’t just about a new logo or a refreshed name. It’s about building an agency that reflects the region’s changing needs; one that’s creatively fearless, strategically sharp, and deeply collaborative. These appointments are a clear signal of where we’re headed. Each new leader brings unique strength to the table, and together, they’ll help us continue to push boundaries, raise the bar, and enhance communications in MENA.”
Radhika Mehta joins as Executive Vice President of Growth & Operations. With nearly two decades of experience in communications, her proven ability to accelerate business growth, tailor integrated brand solutions, and spearhead compelling storytelling-driven brand narratives for clients spanning international markets reinforces Ruder Finn Atteline’s focus on building future-ready systems and scaling with intention. Having managed cross-border campaigns across several business sectors, Radhika’s global perspective makes her a trusted advisor to both brands and teams. In her new role, she will focus on growing the agency’s MENA presence and integrated communication services.
Srishti Soni has been brought aboard as Account Director for the Corporate Division. Bringing nearly 15 years of experience across MENA and India markets, she is a seasoned communications consultant who has led award-winning PR and reputation campaigns across sectors including real estate, healthcare, education, oil and gas, and consumer tech. Before Ruder Finn Atteline, Srishti spent over six years in the MENA communications industry, overseeing corporate and financial advisory mandates for marquee clients. She will play a key role in furthering the agency’s corporate offering.
Shannon Hynes and Yara Nimer have been appointed Associate Account Directors to lead the integrated agency’s newly established Sports & Entertainment Division.
Shannon brings nearly a decade of experience in the Sports & Entertainment industry, having led high-impact campaigns for global platforms. Over the past two years, she has led Netflix MENA’s publicity efforts, managing talent relations and red-carpet events across key markets. With an aptitude for driving cultural relevance through strategic storytelling, Shannon’s ability to shape narratives that resonate on a global scale will guide the growth of Ruder Finn Atteline’s new division.
Yara will support the division in a similar capacity, leveraging a decade of experience in integrated communications and having led content and publishing strategies for both regional and global brands. With an integrated-first mindset and a cross-sector portfolio spanning entertainment, tourism, and sport, she has delivered award-winning campaigns recognised for their cultural relevance and strategic impact. A MEPRA award-winner for her work across consumer and influencer campaigns, as well as previously being named one of Campaign’s PR Faces to Watch, Yara is known for fusing strategy with storytelling that resonates deeply across the region. A passionate advocate for Arab women and purpose-driven communications, she draws on editorial instincts and a performance-led approach to craft narratives that connect brand purpose with real-world relevance.
These appointments mark a key milestone in Ruder Finn Atteline’s transformation journey, following the recent unveiling of its refreshed brand identity and visual language. Reflecting a new era for the agency in MENA, this leadership expansion bolsters its capabilities while reinforcing deeper integration with Ruder Finn’s global network. As the agency continues to grow its offerings — from scaling its Content Hub and Digital Division to strengthening its sectoral expertise — the addition of fresh leadership ensures the right minds are in place to deliver on the promise of “What’s Next.”

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