Business · Companies · 9 hrs ago
IE University opens Riyadh centre as demand for executive education grows
Spain’s IE University has opened a permanent centre in Riyadh to bring more of its work to Saudi Arabia.
Its chief executive, Santiago Iñiguez, said demand is growing among companies and government bodies seeking leadership training.
The university has worked with Saudi institutions for more than 18 years, but previously brought many Saudi participants to Madrid.
The new centre is in Riyadh’s KAFD creative district and offers executive education, entrepreneurship, design and media activities.
The centre has begun running public programmes and monthly events, and hosted an October entrepreneurship event connected to Madrid’s South Summit.
More than 750 companies have joined Saudi Arabia’s regional headquarters programme, widening the potential pool of clients for leadership and business training.
IE says its Saudi partnerships include Aramco, stc and the Public Investment Fund, and that more than 70 Saudis have graduated from a finance master’s programme it runs with an academy.
The university is also looking to develop Saudi case studies for teaching internationally, while the scale and profitability of its Saudi market remain unclear.
IE University has opened a permanent centre in Riyadh as demand for executive education grows among Saudi companies and government entities.
The centre is in the Creative District of King Abdullah Financial District and offers activities in executive education, entrepreneurship, design and media.
Chief executive Santiago Iñiguez said the university’s relationship with Saudi Arabia now extends beyond bringing students and managers to Madrid.
The university said its work in Saudi Arabia includes partnerships with local organisations and a finance master’s programme whose graduates include more than 70 Saudi professionals.
The article said the university did not provide figures measuring the growth in demand.
- Who
- IE University, whose chief executive is Santiago Iñiguez.
- What
- It opened a permanent centre in Riyadh and is expanding its executive education activities.
- When
- The centre opened in January; the article was published on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- The Creative District in King Abdullah Financial District, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The university says demand is rising from companies, government entities and individuals seeking leadership and professional development.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
IE University opened its Leadership and Innovation Centre in Riyadh’s Creative District in partnership with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment announced that more than 750 companies had joined the regional headquarters programme, exceeding its target.
The centre hosted entrepreneurship events bringing the South Summit experience from Madrid to Riyadh.
- Location
- Creative District, King Abdullah Financial District, Riyadh
- Opened
- January
- Regional headquarters programme
- More than 750 companies had joined by August
- Finance master’s graduates
- More than 70 Saudi professionals
- Alumni network
- More than 80,000 graduates worldwide
What people are saying
The Middle East is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world in executive education, and Saudi Arabia has become one of the university’s most active markets.
The relationship with the Saudi market is no longer limited to attracting students and managers to Madrid.