Cranfield School of Management is Europe’s first university to deliver executive development courses in Saudi Arabia in Arabic. Eight academics including two executive education specialists from Cranfield’s Center for Customised Executive Development, Doc McKerr and Imran Zawwar, traveled to Madinah to teach over 100 business leaders, almost half of whom were women, about the fundamentals of business leadership and transforming knowledge into action in the workplace.
Initiated by Namaa Al Munawara, a local non-profit think-tank, Cranfield’s Executive Leadership program attracted middle managers and senior leaders from small companies and public sector organizations.
Prince Faisal bin Salman, governor of Madinah, set up Namaa Al Munawara with the aim to transform Madinah into a hub of growing SMEs and to develop it as a “City of Knowledge” which has a positive impact, economically and commercially, both in the local area and across the country.
During the two-week program, delegates gained an in-depth insight into core business topics such as strategy, innovation, operational excellence, business finance, leadership and corporate use of social media, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to help drive their organization.
Samar Showail, a manager in the Saudi banking industry, said: “I have been on these types of courses before. However, this course is more sophisticated and really puts knowledge into practice. The whole experience has been unique; the networking, in particular, was valuable because we had the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds and industries. This meant that we could share our challenges and ideas and learn from one another.”
The program was funded by the Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF), which is responsible for developing local business leaders to meet the country’s mission of evenly spreading the economy’s reliance across industries including education and commerce, rather than solely on oil, by 2030.
Ranked among the top 10 business schools worldwide for customised executive development, and first in the world for international reach, Cranfield’s Center for Customised Executive Development delivers open and customised programs to over 40 clients each year. Over 75 percent of these courses welcome participants from across the globe.
Cranfield delivers leadership courses in Saudi Arabia
Cranfield delivers leadership courses in Saudi Arabia
ALJ Motors champions Toyota SUVs’ off-road legacy
Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, the authorized distributor of Toyota vehicles in Saudi Arabia since 1955, has launched the second edition of its off-road initiative — an immersive driving experience designed to engage guests and showcase the real-world capabilities of Toyota’s SUV lineup in the Kingdom’s desert terrains. The activation takes place on weekends, starting initially in Riyadh and continuing through Jeddah, before concluding in Dammam on Jan. 24.
The multi-city activation is designed to engage guests through Toyota’s SUV lineup in fun and exciting ways, offering a hands-on opportunity to experience vehicle performance, control, and versatility. The lineup features a wide range of Toyota SUV models, including the Land Cruiser HEV Max, a hybrid vehicle built for performance. Beyond the off-road drives, the activation offers a welcoming weekend setting with supporting activities suitable for families and younger guests, creating a well-rounded experience for visitors of all ages.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, which welcomed more than 4,500 participants and attracted over 10,000 attendees, the second edition continues to focus on meaningful guest engagement through interactive and experiential driving activities while emphasizing safety, trust, and enjoyment. Through this approach, ALJ Motors champions Toyota’s off-road legacy while creating an experience that further connects guests with Toyota’s renowned SUV lineup.
Shahad Nassier, managing director of marketing communications at ALJ Motors, said: “Following the strong response to the inaugural season, the return of this off-road experience allows us to continue engaging our guests in an authentic and exciting way. In this second edition, we have further refined the driving routes and elevated the overall experience to better serve our guests and their families. By bringing Toyota’s SUV lineup into real desert environments, we provide an opportunity for guests to experience vehicle performance firsthand, while reinforcing the values of reliability and capability that have long defined Toyota’s presence in the Kingdom.”
The experiential initiative deepens guest relationships, supports informed vehicle choice, and reflects ALJ Motors’ ongoing role in delivering reliable and diversified mobility solutions across the Kingdom, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Guests interested in participating in the off-road experience can register for the upcoming activations in Jeddah on Jan. 9-10, followed by Dammam on Jan. 16-17 and 23-24, through ALJ Motors’ official social channels.
