Who’s Who: Richard Evans, COO at Sports Boulevard Foundation

Richard Evans
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Updated 03 October 2024
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Who’s Who: Richard Evans, COO at Sports Boulevard Foundation

Richard Evans has been the chief operations officer at the Sports Boulevard Foundation since 2022.

With extensive experience in delivering large programs, urban planning, and infrastructure redevelopment projects, Evans and his operations team are at the forefront of revitalizing Prince Mohammed bin Salman Road in Riyadh.

The first phase of the Sports Boulevard will feature extensive green areas, sports and recreational facilities, and community and cultural preservation initiatives, all supported by cycling and walking paths, and electric operational vehicles.

Before joining the foundation, Evans was senior vice president at Dubai Expo 2020 from 2015 to 2022, responsible for developing and managing the event operations department.

He also oversaw hospitality and accommodation requirements for expo visitors, international participants, and VIPs.

During Evans’ career at Ernst & Young, he was global head of mega-events, and led EY projects for the Qatar World Cup and Rio 2016 Olympics, providing extensive operational planning, scheduling, and budgeting support.

He also directed the UK Government Health Department’s 2012 Olympic program, establishing governance structures and operational frameworks.

Evans holds a bachelor’s degree in business studies from the University of Wales, and has completed professional development in program management methodology and major event planning and delivery methodology from Ernst & Young.

He is committed to driving the foundation’s vision of maintaining a sustainable and vibrant urban environment in Riyadh.

His expertise in strategic planning and operational delivery is instrumental in improving quality of life for the city’s residents and visitors.


MoU advances climate studies for heritage sites

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MoU advances climate studies for heritage sites

RIYADH: The Heritage Commission has signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Center for Meteorology to enhance integration in climate and environmental studies related to heritage sites, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation in exchanging climate-related knowledge and studies, supporting risk assessment standards, and advancing joint workshops and research programs to improve heritage site management.

The collaboration aligns with the commission’s approach to adopting research and technological tools to better understand environmental dynamics around heritage sites and deliver sustainable solutions that support documentation, restoration, and preservation efforts.

Recently, the commission also signed an MoU with the Saudi Data and AI Authority to advance data- and AI-driven solutions in the cultural heritage sector.

The agreement enables technologies that showcase, document, and strengthen the digital presence of national heritage, the SPA reported.

It reflects both sides’ keenness to employ data and analytical technologies in the inventory, documentation, and relational analysis of cultural heritage.

The MoU aims to support decision-making and build a knowledge ecosystem grounded in accurate, measurable data. It also paves the way for joint projects to enhance digital heritage content and apply AI-based tools to interpret heritage and make it more accessible to the public.