Hot on the heels of the ‘UK-Saudi Sustainable Infrastructure Assembly’, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City | الهيئة الملكية لمدينة الرياض touched down in London—with big ambitions in tow. The Assembly, backed by Department for Business and Trade , City of London Corporation and Saudi’s Ministry of Investment aims to unlock serious cross-border investment.
Bishopsgate Councillor and Chairman of the City Corporation’s Planning and Transport Committee took Riyadh’s delegation on a walkabout around Bishopsgate to spotlight how the City attracts investment and talent from around the world—mirroring the Kingdom’s bold vision to transform Riyadh into a leading global hub through megaprojects and next-gen infrastructure. The message was clear: there’s huge potential on both sides, and plenty of room to grow, learn and succeed together.
The City of London Corporation, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment, and the United Kingdom’s Department for Business and Trade announced the formation of a new strategic partnership aimed at boosting collaboration between the UK’s financial and professional services sectors and Saudi Arabia’s sustainable infrastructure developers on 14th April 2025.
The cornerstone of this partnership is the creation of the UK-Saudi Sustainable Infrastructure Assembly, which will include a group of leading UK and Saudi firms, policymakers, and industry experts committed to shaping the future of sustainable infrastructure investment and development. The projects include:
- A new Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company led by the Public Investment Fund
- The Prince Faisal Bin Fahad sustainable Sports City led by Saudi Arabia’s National Centre for Privatization.
The Assembly will officially launch in May 2025, in Riyadh, followed by a meeting in Summer 2025, in London, as part of the UK Government’s GREAT FUTURES campaign which showcases how the UK and Saudi Arabia can work in partnership across trade, investment, tourism, education and cultural engagement as Saudi Arabia delivers Vision 2030. The final meeting of the Assembly will take place during the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh in the Autumn 2025.
Membership of the Assembly from the UK include:
- Government:
- UK Export Finance (Tim Reid, CEO);
- UK Department of Business and Trade (Peter Ashby, UK Deputy Trade Commissioner Middle East Arabian Peninsula)
- Finance:
- Equitix (Philip Would, Head of Business Development, Middle East and Southeast Asia);
- Ninety One (Nicolaas Alberts, Managing Director)
- Legal:
- Clifford Chance (Neha Siddiqui, Senior Associate);
- Pinsent Masons (Catherine Workman, Head of Middle East Region)
- Insurance:
- Aon (Vlad Bobko, CEO of Central Eastern Europe and the Nordics and AAIB, KSA Shareholder Representative)
- Chubb (Melanie Markwick-Day ACII, Renewable Energy & Alternative Fuels Practice Leader)
- Infrastructure Development:
- Atkins Réalis;
- EY (Susan Hunter, Partner).
Membership of the Assembly from Saudi Arabia include:
- Government:
- Ministry of Investment (Fahad Al-Hashem, Deputy Assistant for Service Sectors);
- Ministry of Economy and Planning (Hatim Alghamdi Senior Advisor; Hisham Sumayli, Senior Advisor; Faisal Abdeen, Senior Specialist);
- National Debt Management Centre (Sultan Al Khalil, General Manager of Alternative Funding)
- National Centre for Privatization (Salman Badr, Vice President of Infrastructure Advisory)
- Finance:
- National Infrastructure Fund (Abdullah Abobakr, Chief Business Officer);
- Public Investment Fund (Ayman AlGhadayer, Director of Capital Funding Advisors)
A Platform for Bilateral Trade and Investment
With Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 driving a $1 trillion USD by 2030 infrastructure development pipeline, this partnership will provide a vital platform for UK and Saudi businesses to collaborate, exchange expertise, and unlock commercial opportunities. By strengthening cross-border trade flows, the Assembly will enhance the international appeal of Saudi Arabia’s sustainable infrastructure projects, unlocking new commercial opportunities in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
The UK, renowned for its leadership in sustainable finance, project design, and risk management, is uniquely positioned to support Saudi Arabia’s ambitious transformation. Through the Assembly, opportunities for greater collaboration and knowledge exchange will support the long-term success of highly complex infrastructure projects that form part of Vision 2030 and strengthen the flow of expertise in sustainable infrastructure development. UK firms will gain exposure to high-profile Saudi infrastructure projects, while Saudi stakeholders will benefit from the UK’s world-class expertise in structuring and financing sustainable projects.
UK Minister for Investment, Baroness Poppy Gustafsson said:
“The UK and Saudi Arabia share a deep commitment to driving sustainable economic growth and attracting global investment into transformational infrastructure projects. These assemblies represent an opportunity to strengthen commercial ties between our two nations, ensuring that Saudi projects are well positioned to secure international capital and expertise through the UK. This landmark UK-Saudi collaboration exemplifies our GREAT FUTURES campaign, fostering partnerships that will drive sustainable development and prosperity, with the UK as a trusted partner in Saudi Arabia‘s vision 2030 journey.”
Lord Mayor of London, Alastair King, said:
“This new partnership offers exciting opportunities for both countries. The UK’s expertise in sustainable finance is in demand across the globe. We are world leaders because of our reputation for innovation, access to capital, and world-class clusters of expertise.
“This Assembly will identify new growth opportunities for Saudi infrastructure and will make it easier for UK firms to engage with Saudi Arabia’s thriving market.”
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Investment, His Excellency Khalid Al Falih, said:
“Saudi Arabia is driving one of the most ambitious infrastructure transformations in the world, with approximately $1 trillion committed to projects that are not only reshaping our cities but also setting new global benchmarks for sustainability. Through Vision 2030, we are integrating cutting-edge technologies, green financing, and world-class expertise to ensure that our infrastructure delivers long-term economic, social, and environmental value.
“As we accelerate this journey, we are creating investment opportunities and the potential for deeper international collaboration. The City of London’s leading global expertise and innovative approach to sustainable finance, infrastructure governance and public-private-partnerships complements our own ambitions. Our long-standing partnership with the UK spans decades making the City of London a natural partner in achieving our shared vision for a more sustainable and prosperous future.”
Next Steps for Interested Businesses
Businesses keen to learn about the UK-Saudi Sustainable Infrastructure Assembly are encouraged to contact the City of London Corporation. Email: tradeandinvestment@cityoflondon.gov.uk
