IE University Inaugurates the IE Center for Leadership and Innovation in the Middle East at Riyadh Creative District
As a strategic initiative led by RCRC, the Riyadh Creative District serves as a platform for attracting world-class institutions and creative leaders.
IE University officially inaugurated the IE Center for Leadership and Innovation in the Middle East on January 27, through its partnership with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC). The launch marks a significant milestone in strengthening Riyadh’s position as a regional hub for leadership development, innovation, and the creative economy, building on more than 15 years of IE University’s academic, institutional, and corporate engagement in the Middle East.
The inauguration took place at the Center’s new headquarters within the Riyadh Creative District (RCD), located in the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As a strategic initiative led by RCRC, the Riyadh Creative District serves as a platform for attracting world-class institutions and creative leaders, supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to advance talent development, innovation, and knowledge-based economic growth in line with Vision 2030.
The launch event convened senior government officials, ambassadors, and leaders from prominent public and private sector organizations, alongside C-level executives from IE University’s key regional partners. The event began with opening remarks by Santiago Íñiguez de Onzoño, President of IE University, followed by a welcome address by Jorge Urteaga, Executive Director of RCD at RCRC. Diego del Alcázar Benjumea, CEO of IE University, delivered an institutional address; William Dávila Valeri, Chair of the IE Center for Leadership and Innovation in the Middle East, outlined the Center’s vision and mandate; and the event concluded with remarks by His Excellency Eng. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia.
The IE Center for Leadership and Innovation in the Middle East has been established as a long-term collaborative platform structured around three core pillars. Through the IE Entrepreneurship Hub, the Center supports entrepreneurial growth and innovation-driven ventures. The IE Leadership Center advances executive education and leadership development tailored to the region’s evolving economic and institutional needs. The IE Design and Media Lab promotes creativity, applied research, and the analysis of emerging trends across design, media, and technology. Together, these pillars aim to develop talent, foster innovation, and strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, and government, contributing to the region’s economic and social transformation and enriching the creative ecosystem within the Riyadh Creative District.
Santiago Íñiguez de Onzoño, Executive President of IE University, said: "The executive development landscape in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is undergoing a profound transformation toward a diversified, knowledge-based economy driven by innovation, competitiveness, and global integration. With the opening of this Center in Riyadh, IE University reinforces its commitment to the Kingdom and the Middle East by fostering dialogue, developing talent, and building bridges between academia, institutions, and business to address the major challenges of our time."
William Dávila, Chair of the IE Center for Leadership and Innovation in the Middle East, added: "From Riyadh, we work closely with leading companies and institutions across the region to develop talent, foster innovation, and conduct applied research. The Center also contributes to strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem and supporting the strategic priorities of the corporate and public sectors across the Middle East."