RIYADH: Richard Attias and Associates, the organizer of Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative summit, is planning for a potential initial public offering, according to a report.
Founder and Chairman of RA&A Richard Attias told Bloomberg in an emailed response that the events and advisory firm is currently working with banks, including Evercore Inc., to prepare for a possible listing as soon as next year.
FII is widely considered as one of the flagship investment events in the Kingdom, where world leaders and industry experts gather to discuss opportunities and challenges across the global financial landscape.
Attias has been a prominent speaker at FII events, where Saudi Arabia showcases its Vision 2030 ambitions to position itself as an international business destination by the end of the decade.
Citing Attias, Bloomberg reported that “he would still remain a shareholder after any potential transaction and stay on as chairman of the board. No final decisions have been made.”
Participants attend the annual Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh on Oct. 29, 2024. AFP
Sanabil, the investment arm of the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund, currently owns about 75 percent of RA&A, while Attias possesses the remaining stake.
He is currently the chairman of the executive committee at the FII institute, a non-profit run by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
In February, the FII Institute hosted its Priority Summit in Miami, which featured an address from US President Donald Trump.
Trump’s keynote speech underscored the need for strategic investments that generate both financial returns and long-term social impact.
“Today, it is a tremendous honor to become the first American president to address the Future Investment Initiative Institute,” said Trump at the event.
US President Donald Trump speaks at FII PRIORITY Miami 2025 Summit at the Faena Hotel and Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, Feb. 19, 2025. AFP
He added: “I come today with a simple message for business leaders from all across the nation and all around the world. If you want to build the future, push boundaries, unleash breakthroughs, transform industries, and make a fortune.”
The eighth edition of FII, held in Riyadh last year, featured over 500 speakers and facilitated more than 200 sessions, including plenary discussions, breakouts, and conclaves, addressing economic stability, geopolitical tensions, and equitable development.
Since its launch in 2017, the FII Institute has been organizing annual events in Riyadh. Over the years, the program has emerged as one of the flagship conferences in the financial sector.
Founded in 2008, RA&A currently employs over 100 people worldwide, providing ideas, connections, and platforms to guide its clients, which include corporations, governments, NGOs, and nonprofits, according to its LinkedIn profile.
