JAKARTA – In a significant milestone for international education partnerships, London Business School (LBS), one of the world’s premier business education institutions, has inaugurated its Executive Education Office in the heart of Saudi Arabia’s capital city.

Strategic Location in Historic Diriyah

The new facility, positioned within Riyadh’s esteemed Diriyah district, symbolizes LBS’s enduring collaboration with the Kingdom spanning over ten years. This expansion directly supports Saudi Arabia’s emphasis on human capital advancement, a cornerstone objective of the nation’s Vision 2030 development framework.

High-Level Inauguration Ceremony

The office opening drew distinguished guests from Saudi government circles and the business community, including H.E. Dr. Eiman Al-Mutairi, Vice Minister of Commerce, alongside representatives from the British Embassy and various corporate leaders.

In her address at the ceremony, Vice Minister Al-Mutairi emphasized the importance of this development: “The establishment of London Business School’s presence in Riyadh represents a major achievement in our collective dedication to education, leadership excellence, and continuous learning.”

She highlighted Saudi Arabia’s tradition of valuing international educational partnerships, noting that LBS has been a preferred destination for Saudi talent development. The Vice Minister shared impressive statistics: over 209 Saudi nationals have graduated from LBS MBA and Executive MBA programs during the past decade, while 6,776 Saudi professionals have participated in Executive Education offerings since the 2022-23 academic year.

“We enthusiastically welcome LBS to Riyadh. Their establishment here demonstrates our mutual commitment to genuine knowledge exchange and capability building. Together, we will nurture emerging leaders who will guide the Kingdom’s trajectory,” Al-Mutairi stated.

Supporting Saudi Arabia’s Transformation Journey

Sergei Guriev, Dean of London Business School, emphasized the Kingdom’s ambitious goals: “Saudi Arabia is pursuing one of the world’s most comprehensive economic and social transformations. Success requires strategic foresight, international perspectives, and profound cultural awareness.”

He continued, “Our Riyadh office establishment demonstrates our dedication to supporting this evolution. We take pride in contributing to the Kingdom’s investment in its people, facilitating the transformation and supporting the nation’s next chapter of sustainable, knowledge-based prosperity.”

Growing Saudi Engagement and Ambitious Targets

The Kingdom represents one of LBS’s most substantial global markets for Executive Education programming. The institution has witnessed remarkable growth in Saudi executive participation across both open enrollment and customized programs, with notable increases in female participation reflecting progress toward inclusive leadership cultivation.

Through strategic partnerships and sustained commitment, LBS aims to develop 10,000 Saudi leaders and collaborate with 100 organizations by 2030.

The School maintains close working relationships with prominent entities including Diriyah Company, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), and BSF, delivering specialized Executive Education curricula. Additionally, Saudi nationals constitute the largest demographic within the Executive MBA program at LBS’s Dubai campus.

Strengthening UK-Saudi Educational Ties

Professor Sir Steve Smith, UK Government International Education Champion and Special Representative to Saudi Arabia for Education, expressed his enthusiasm: “I’m thrilled that London Business School has launched its Executive Education Office in Diriyah. This marks a crucial development in the strategic educational partnership between our two nations, harmonizing the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy objectives with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 through educational innovation and future skills advancement.”

About London Business School

London Business School’s mission centers on profoundly influencing global business practices and business’s impact on society. Recognized internationally as a hub for exceptional research, the institution offers highly ranked degree programs alongside award-winning Executive Education for business leaders worldwide.

Beyond its primary London campus, LBS operates a Dubai campus and maintains presence in New York, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. The School prepares its diverse student population to address contemporary business challenges while connecting them with leading global thinkers.

With over 57,000 alumni across more than 160 countries, the LBS community represents extensive knowledge, business expertise, and worldwide networking capabilities. The institution’s 259 faculty members, representing over 30 nations, specialize in seven disciplines: accounting, economics, finance, management science and operations, marketing, organizational behavior, and strategy and entrepreneurship.

Original Article:

ZAWYA. (2025, November 24). London Business School deepens commitment to Saudi Arabia with opening of new Riyadh office. Retrieved from https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/government-news/london-business-school-deepens-commitment-to-saudi-arabia-with-opening-of-new-riyadh-office-cajvn7cn