Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, scored the winning goal for the BMG team at the 21st GCC Polo Cup, leading the BMG team to a 7-5 victory against Cambridge County Polo Club.
The friendly polo match between Saudi and British teams captained by Prince William, took place in Cambridge on July 10, in the presence of prominent businessmen and dignitaries from both Saudi Arabia and the UK, including Prince Abdul Aziz bin Faisal bin Abdul Majid.
Prince William started playing polo at the age of 10 with both his father and grandfather.
The BMG GCC Polo Cup was born of a conversation between Prince Charles and Basil Al-Ghalayini, CEO of BMG Financial Group, in the 90s. On realizing a need for more cultural and sporting interaction between Saudi Arabia and the UK, Al-Ghalayini took it upon himself to create a platform on which this could take place, whilst simultaneously supporting noble causes.
The annual event reaffirms the strength of Saudi-British relations on social, cultural and charitable levels. BMG Financial Group, through its charitable arm, BMG Foundation, organized this event, the proceeds of which are used to support charitable organizations in both Saudi Arabia and the UK.
Funds from a concert at King’s College Chapel, organized by BMG, on July 9 will support Syria Relief, a charity providing medical aid and supplies to Syrian children in refugee camps.
Two young Syrian musicians, Riad Nicolas and Mariela Shaker, performed a mix of Eastern and western classical music at the event.
Prince William scores winning goal for BMG at GCC Polo Cup
Prince William scores winning goal for BMG at GCC Polo Cup
Makkah Health Cluster brings AI-powered healthcare platform ‘iSelfie’ to region
The Makkah Health Cluster has signed a cooperation agreement with Canadian company AIZTech, which specializes in AI-powered medical diagnostics, to deploy the iSelfie platform across its facilities, including King Abdullah Medical City and several major hospitals in Makkah.
The signing ceremony was attended by Jean-Philippe Linteau, ambassador of Canada to Saudi Arabia; Dr. Mubarak Al-Mulhem, director general of healthcare at the Ministry of Investment; and Dr. Hatim Al-Omari, CEO of the Makkah Health Cluster, which oversees more than 10 hospitals in the city. Also present were Dr. Adel Tash, CEO of King Abdullah Medical City, and Tarek Sultan, vice chairman of Agility. The agreement was signed by Al-Omari and Mohamed Sheta, CEO of AIZTech.
This marks the first agreement of its kind in the Middle East, allowing patients to benefit from instant health assessments using AI through a short facial video, with no additional hardware required. The iSelfie platform analyzes the video to extract key health metrics including blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate. The platform will be integrated into the patient-facing screens within hospital facilities and will be used with the assistance of medical staff.
Al-Omari said: “We are proud to be the first in the Kingdom and the region to adopt this advanced technology, which reflects our ongoing commitment to harnessing the latest digital solutions to enhance diagnostic efficiency and accelerate patient care. This step marks a qualitative leap toward a more advanced and innovative healthcare system, aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.”
Tash added: “In line with the spirit of digital transformation and the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030, we are pleased to launch this innovative AI-powered technology in Makkah. This launch is backed by a pivotal study conducted across the Kingdom, where the technology showed promising results when compared with 1,021 cases diagnosed using traditional medical devices. We are committed to expanding access to these advanced tools to benefit the wider community in the region.”
Sheta said: “We are honored to collaborate with one of the Kingdom’s leading public healthcare institutions. This agreement is a clear indicator of the growing trust in AI-powered healthcare solutions and reinforces our belief that remote, non-invasive early diagnostics will be a core part of healthcare’s future.”
Ambassador Linteau said: “Digital health innovation is gaining momentum in Canada, and Saudi Arabia is a market that is open to early adoption of innovation in the health sector.” He also expressed hope that the platform will achieve remarkable success in the early detection of health conditions in patients.
The iSelfie platform has proven its effectiveness through clinical trials conducted in Saudi Arabia, the US, Canada, and Brazil, including a national study supported by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. Results showed that the platform provides accurate readings comparable to traditional medical devices, with the added benefits of rapid assessment, accessibility, and cost efficiency.
This collaboration aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which places innovation and digital transformation at the heart of healthcare development by improving the quality of life, promoting preventive care, and expanding access to modern medical services.
TAQA announces CEO transition as part of strategic growth agenda
Industrialization and Energy Services Company, known as TAQA, a global leader in energy and industrial services, announced that Khalid Nouh will step down from his role as chief executive, as part of the company’s ongoing evolution and long-term strategic growth agenda.
Since his appointment in 2019, Nouh has been instrumental in transforming TAQA into a unified global organization. Under his leadership, the company successfully integrated a series of value-driven acquisitions, including Tendeka, AZR, OPT Chemicals, Cougar Drilling Solutions, Oliden Technologies, and Al-Mansoori Petroleum Services. These integrations positioned TAQA as a fully integrated energy services provider with more than 12 service lines and 5,500 employees across global markets.
During his tenure, TAQA digitized its business operations under a single platform, launched centers of excellence in drilling, completions, and intervention, and established TAQA Geothermal, aligning the company with regional energy transition ambitions. Additionally, Nouh played a key role in positioning ARGAS to support mineral exploration initiatives. Under his guidance, the company achieved remarkable revenue growth, driven by strategic execution and operational excellence.
With this solid foundation in place, TAQA is now focused on accelerating its next phase — expanding market presence and driving innovation.
To lead this new chapter, the board of directors has appointed Adel Al-Ghadhban as interim chief executive officer.
Al-Ghadhban currently serves as executive vice president — ventures and chief investment officer and brings more than 30 years of experience in multiple energy sectors including portfolio management and finance across the energy and manufacturing sectors, including 20 years with TAQA. He was responsible for leading the company’s group legal, risk, and compliance functions, and guiding strategy for TAQA’s portfolio companies. He also serves on the boards of several TAQA subsidiaries, including ARGAS as vice chairman, Cougar Drilling Solutions, TAQA Drilling Solutions (Canada), and was in board leadership roles at ALAR and JESCO.
Outgoing CEO Nouh said: “It has been an extraordinary journey and a privilege to lead TAQA through a period of remarkable growth and transformation. I am proud of what we’ve built together — a global platform with strong capabilities and a focus on sustainable, profitable growth. I leave confident in the company’s direction and leadership, and excited to see it reach even greater heights.”
Ahmed Al-Zahrani, chairman of the board, said: “On behalf of the board, I want to thank Khalid Nouh for his exceptional vision and dedication. He played a pivotal role in shaping TAQA into the global leader it is today — delivering on strategy, strengthening our service offering, and transforming the organization into ONE TAQA. As we look to the future, we are confident that Adel Al-Ghadhban will build on this legacy with a sharp focus on performance, innovation, and growth.”
Al-Ghadhban added: “I am honored to take on this role at such a defining moment in TAQA’s evolution. We have a strong foundation, a clear vision, and exceptional teams around the world. I look forward to working closely with our people, partners, and clients to build on our achievements and accelerate our strategic growth.”
Saudi artisanal boom marks ‘Year of Handicrafts’
Monsha’at, Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, has released its latest quarterly SME Monitor, providing a detailed overview of the latest trends and developments shaping the Kingdom’s dynamic SME ecosystem.
This edition highlights a 48 percent y-o-y increase in new commercial registrations in Q1, key trends in the local and global handicrafts sector, and the many ways in which Saudi Arabia is empowering its next generation of artisanal SMEs.
The report sheds light on the rich heritage of Saudi handicrafts, several of which have been listed in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
In addition to well-known mainstays such as Al-Sadu weaving, Al-Qatt Al-Asiri wall decoration, Bisht tailoring, Jambiya daggers, and Madinah pottery, the report also features insights into the cultural and economic significance of Saudi handicrafts. For these reasons and others, 2025 has been designated the “Year of Handicrafts.”
Thanks to a steady increase in tourism, e-commerce, and consumer interest in authentic Saudi arts and crafts, the report shows, rural female entrepreneurs in particular also stand to gain from a sector expected to be worth $1.3 trillion by 2028. The recent launch of the Saudi Artisanal Company is an example of the sector’s promise.
In addition to aiming to create 9,000 new handicrafts jobs by 2030, SAC hopes to serve 15 percent of the domestic handicrafts market by then, the report shows. Thanks to a raft of recent government initiatives to empower handicrafts SMEs, from the Heritage Commission to the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, opportunities for artisanal entrepreneurs are rife.
In addition to its coverage of handicrafts trends and developments in Saudi Arabia, the latest SME Monitor also has a special section on global developments in the sector. Chief among these are a greater emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendliness, e-commerce expansion, new technology, and a desire for cultural preservation.
Artisans in Uganda, the report shows, have transformed banana waste into valuable handicrafts such as rugs and lampshades, while designers elsewhere have found ways to use 3D printing with biodegradable materials to create customized garments.
In its survey of broader SME developments across Saudi Arabia, the report also reveals a remarkable increase in commercial registrations in Q1 2025, a key indicator of the country’s booming entrepreneurial landscape. In addition to 154,638 new registrations, sectors like e-commerce reached 41,322 active registrations in that quarter, with an impressive six percent y-o-y increase.
In a show of technological advancement, the number of active cloud-computing registrations shot up by 33 percent.
Thanks to a wide variety of enablement, financing, and business development programs offered by Monsha’at, more than 22,000 SMEs benefited from Saudi Arabia’s leading SME enabler in Q1 2025, the report shows.
NABNI, Hilton launch Waldorf Astoria residences in Dubai
Following the 2024 signing of a milestone partnership between NABNI Developments and Hilton, the premium-luxury 146-unit Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Business Bay has officially launched.
Designed by celebrated international architect Carlos Ott and featuring interiors by world-renowned hospitality design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates, the 65-story residences will be the second tallest residential tower in the Business Bay/ Downtown Dubai district upon planned handover in Q4 2029. It is Waldorf Astoria’s first standalone residence project outside of the US.
Inspired by Waldorf Astoria’s 130-year five-star hospitality history, Ott’s sleek, sculptural design is a contemporary interpretation that reflects Dubai’s future-forward vision and celebrates the connection between nature and timeless sophistication. Interiors draw on Art Nouveau and Art Deco design motifs synonymous with Waldorf Astoria’s design language, artfully paired with elements reflective of the city’s modernity.
A total of 146 units are available across three distinct collections: the Signature Collection, one to three-bedroom residences; Sky Collection, four-bedroom residences, multi-level sky villas, and sky mansions; and a singularly exceptional Sky Palace occupying four dedicated floors with 360-degree city views.
Abdulrahman Abdulla Alhelo Alsuwaidi, co-founder and chairman, NABNI Developments, said: “As a visionary Emirati developer committed to delivering timeless design-driven homes, our partnership with Hilton is elevating Dubai’s branded residences market by setting a new benchmark for luxury hospitality-led excellence, anchored by more than a century of Waldorf Astoria service and legacy experience. This translates perfectly to the residential market and, more specifically to Dubai’s incredibly competitive premium real estate landscape. Recent data from property consultancy Global Branded Residences revealed a 43 percent year-on-year increase in 2024 in the sale of branded units, with this figure set to more than double in the next five years. With the global high-net worth investor community looking to Dubai as a highly sought-after location for portfolio expansion, or as a desirable second home destination, the debut of the Waldorf Astoria Residences brand is a natural fit with current market dynamics.
“NABNI Developments’ ambition to lead the region’s branded residences segment through architectural mastery, service excellence, and unmatched attention to detail, is exemplified in this exciting project, which is a regional first in terms of scale and exclusivity; and set to become an enduring landmark on the Dubai skyline.”
Each of the Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Business Bay residences optimizes Burj Khalifa views and offers the ultimate in ultra-luxury living while being effortlessly practical.
Premium materials and innovative design come as standard with unique features including reserved lift access that takes residents and their guests to their private apartment lobby entrance.
Exclusive leisure amenities include the world’s highest “Golf in the Sky” simulator experience (270 meters); an adult-only and family swimming pools plus private cabanas; the Waldorf Astoria spa and wellness center; fitness and yoga studios; and a meditation deck. Residents enjoy personal concierge and housekeeping services and will also be able to book a private Waldorf Astoria chef dining experience, along with on-request services such as pet care, personal assistant and secretarial support, personal driver, in-home spa treatments, private fitness training, and more.
With ground-breaking scheduled to begin in June, NABNI Developments has also opened a dedicated sales center located in the Business Bay district. The new 1,000-square-meter center allows investors to take a 3D interactive walk through the project and unit options, as well as an interactive scale model area.
Dyson boosts Saudi presence with new Riyadh store
Dyson is accelerating its expansion in Saudi Arabia with the launch of its latest store at Riyadh Park, a strategic move that highlights the brand’s commitment to innovation and deepening its presence in the Kingdom.
Strategically positioned at the mall’s main entrance, opposite Mont Blanc and Lululemon, the 128-square-meter Dyson Demo Store offers an immersive and hands-on environment where visitors can experience the company’s latest technologies firsthand. From haircare and air purification, to intelligent floorcare and next-generation audio, the new store puts the full innovative product range on display.
With growing demand for Dyson’s cutting-edge solutions in the Saudi market, the Riyadh Park location joins a growing portfolio of demo spaces across the Kingdom. The new store features two private styling stations and a wash basin, designed with veiled customers in mind, where visitors can book personal styling sessions and test Dyson’s advanced haircare tools in a comfortable setting.
In-store Dyson experts will walk shoppers through the brand’s latest haircare launches, such as the newly launched Dyson Supersonic r, the Dyson Airwrap i.d. multi-styler available in the latest colorway, Jasper Plum, the Supersonic Nural hair dryer, and the Airstrait wet-to-dry straightener. Each session is tailored to individual needs, helping customers choose the best tools for their hair type and styling routine.
Visitors can also discover Dyson’s latest innovations across other categories, including the 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum, which delivers edge-to-edge deep cleaning with advanced navigation, the Big+Quiet Purifier, engineered for powerful whole-room purification with minimal noise, and the recently launched Dyson OnTrac headphones, featuring immersive audio and 55-hour battery life.
The new store opening represents another significant milestone in Dyson’s expansion in the Kingdom, following the successful launch of the flagship store in Riyadh’s Nakheel Mall last year and Jeddah’s Red Sea Mall in March this year. The brand continues to focus on enhancing the in-store experience, allowing customers in Saudi Arabia to explore, test, and discover its revolutionary technology up close.
