stc Group renews title sponsorship of Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Olayan Alwetaid, CEO of stc Group.
Short Url
Updated 29 February 2024
Follow

stc Group renews title sponsorship of Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

stc Group, an engine of digital transformation, and Formula 1 have announced a multi-year extension of their strategic partnership.

The agreement will see the group continue as the title sponsor of the Formula 1 stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and transform the race experience with high-speed connectivity through its fifth-generation networks.

stc Group will usher in the technology of the future at the Formula 1 stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with fixed mobile 5G communication towers and 5G Internet speeds of up to 1.5 gigabytes per second. These cutting-edge digital offerings will connect racers, teams and fans under the theme “limitless drive.”

Olayan Alwetaid, stc Group CEO, said: “The extension of our strategic partnership with Formula 1 will take the Formula 1 stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix into the future. We look forward to continuing to provide seamless, world-class connectivity at the race this year under the theme ‘limitless drive,’ and we are proud of our support for Formula 1 over the last three years.

“With our suite of innovative products and solutions, stc Group is driving digital transformation across different sectors. The extension of this partnership reinforces our commitment to delivering world-class connectivity at major events and ultimately connecting the world through technology.”

Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, said: “Formula 1 fans at the race weekend in Jeddah can expect high speeds on the track and fantastic fan experience off it. As we continue to grow our sport around the world, the support of high-quality technology partners is invaluable, so we are delighted to extend our relationship with stc.”

The race will take place in the city of Jeddah for the fourth time from March 7-9.


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
Follow

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.