Spain’s IE Business School to provide leadership training to stc employees

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The agreement’s signing ceremony was held at the stc Academy in Riyadh, in the presence of Ambassador of Spain Jorge Hevia Sierra; Dr. Moudhi Al-Jamea, vice president of stc and dean of stc Academy. (Supplied)
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The agreement’s signing ceremony was held at the stc Academy in Riyadh, in the presence of Ambassador of Spain Jorge Hevia Sierra; Dr. Moudhi Al-Jamea, vice president of stc and dean of stc Academy. (Supplied)
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Updated 25 May 2022
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Spain’s IE Business School to provide leadership training to stc employees

In line with its strategy to invest in national talents and prepare future leaders, stc has signed a three-year agreement with IE Business School, a top-ranked international business school located in Madrid, Spain. The agreement reflects stc’s commitment to the continuous development of its professionals and to ensure that its group of middle managers, specifically men and women who are pre-section managers, section managers and directors, are prepared for leadership positions.

The agreement’s signing ceremony was held at the stc Academy in Riyadh, in the presence of Ambassador of Spain Jorge Hevia Sierra; Dr. Moudhi Al-Jamea, vice president of stc and dean of stc Academy; and Santiago Iñiguez de Onzoño, president of IE University.

Commenting on the agreement, Al-Jamea said: “The stc Academy’s vision is to be the learning and innovation hub in the Kingdom and beyond, with the objective of enabling the stc Group to drive digital and cultural transformation. Our aim is to develop future leaders with strategic capabilities through innovative learning solutions and experiences.”

De Onzoño said: “This agreement between IE Business School and stc is expected to benefit more than 2,000 individuals. Furthermore, the impact will be highly personalized, with each leadership program of the agreement focused on the specific needs of stc middle management employees and based on the company’s leadership and core competencies.”


Saudi Awwal Bank becomes first Middle East bank to earn 7-star CinOrg innovation accreditation

Saeed Assiri, chief innovation banking officer at SAB
Updated 05 March 2026
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Saudi Awwal Bank becomes first Middle East bank to earn 7-star CinOrg innovation accreditation

Saudi Awwal Bank has become the first bank in the Middle East to receive a 7‑star Certified Innovative Organization rating from the Global Innovation Institute, the highest recognition awarded by the institute.

The accreditation marks a significant step in SAB’s innovation strategy and follows an innovation maturity assessment conducted by the institute in December 2025. The review, which built on an earlier assessment in December 2023, raised the bank’s maturity level from “Champion” to “Leader.” The new rating reflects SAB’s institutionalized approach to innovation, its enterprise-wide impact and its ability to consistently deliver measurable results.

With the 7‑star rating, SAB becomes the first bank in the region to reach the highest innovation maturity level, strengthening its position as a regional reference point for innovation-led and future-ready banking.

In 2025, the bank opened its flagship Innovation Centre and secured six internationally recognized innovation awards, along with a lab accreditation. The centre has supported SAB’s efforts to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, encourage cross-functional collaboration and reinforce its standing as a regional leader in financial innovation.

Saeed Assiri, chief innovation banking officer at SAB, said the recognition reflects years of focused work to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem.

“By investing in SAB’s culture, governance and talent, innovation enables the bank to remain future-ready,” he said. “This milestone reinforces our role in accelerating financial innovation in Saudi Arabia and delivering long-term value for our customers.”

The certification adds to SAB’s broader efforts to strengthen its innovation capabilities as the Kingdom’s banking sector continues to evolve.