FaceOf: Bandar Reda, secretary-general of the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce
Updated 11 March 2019
Arab News
Bandar Reda has been the secretary-general and executive chairman of the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) since December 2018.
He has also been the Saudi commercial attache to the UK at the Ministry of Commerce and Investment since August 2017.
He was the Saudi commercial attache to Italy between 2013 and 2017. Reda led the Saudi commercial and trade team in Italy and acted as the main point of contact for the Kingdom in developing a structured commercial diplomacy agenda.
For eight years, he worked at the Saudi British Bank (SABB), an associate company of the HSBC Group.
At SABB, he served as senior business banking development manager, relationship manager at the Business Banking Unit, and premier relationship manager.
Reda attended the one-year Junior Officer Development Program at SABB, which aims to develop the bank’s future leaders.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration from Rollins College in the US.
The ABCC recently hosted a roundtable meeting on the development of the sports, media and entertainment sectors in all Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia. At the meeting, Reda stressed the importance of strengthening relations between Arab countries and the UK by exchanging experiences in all fields of trade and the economy.
He said the meeting was a major preparatory stage for the organization of an Arab-British conference on the sports, entertainment and hospitality industries as important economic sectors.
ABCC is a membership organization that exists to promote trade and investment relations between the UK and the Arab countries.
Jeddah students get closer look at electric motorsport
A PIF-linked initiative highlights technical and engineering careers behind electric racing events
Updated 24 January 2026
SALEH FAREED
JEDDAH: Students from local and international schools in Jeddah were introduced to STEM-related career pathways in electric motorsport this week, as part of an education program linked to the UIM E1 World Championship held on the Red Sea.
The sessions formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners, to familiarize students aged eight to 18 with science, technology, engineering and mathematics through electric racing and sustainability-focused industries.
The sessions for students formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners. (Supplied)
The programme took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access designed to show how engineering, data, broadcast technology and event operations function within professional motorsport.
According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The program took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access.
• Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
• According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
John Williams, managing director at E1, told Arab News: “The PIF is absolutely vital to everything we do here at the E1. They were crucial initial investment partner since the start of the championship and they continue to support us in a number of ways and more specifically around the Driving Force program.”
The sessions for students formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners. (Supplied)
Elaborating more on the program, he said: “What we are doing is presenting and showing these students the available careers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as careers in sports, not only pilots but also engineers and mechanics.”
Williams added that the main key to the program was bringing a new generation to the mechanism of sport.
“We are introducing to these exciting new technologies around the race but it could be our technology on the boat or our broadcast products, as well as how to manage the event its self. There are a range of opportunities to show it to the children in addition to enjoying the excitement of the race and meeting the pilots.”
The program’s Jeddah activities began at King Abdulaziz University’s faculty of maritime studies, where students took part in a hands-on workshop focused on STEM careers in the motorsport and sustainability areas conducted by technology experts and famous water pilots such as Dani Clos, Emma Kimilainen and Patricia Pita.
Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
They also enjoyed exclusive behind-the-scenes access at the E1 Jeddah GP, pilot meet-and-greets, and front-row seats to watch the RaceBird boats in action.
