London Business School to Open Riyadh Office in Landmark Move Supporting Vision 2030
London Business School (LBS) is set to open a new office in Riyadh in the coming months, marking a strategic expansion that reflects the institution's long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The move comes in response to a sharp rise in demand for executive education across the public and private sectors in the region.
Announced on the sidelines of the Human Capability Initiative in Riyadh, LBS Dean Sergei Guriev confirmed that the Riyadh office will be the school's third global location and its second in the Middle East after Dubai.
The new branch will be led by Florin Vasvari, Executive Dean of Executive Education, Middle East, and Helen Kerkentzes, Associate Dean of Executive Education, who will serve as General Manager.
"Opening a third location is a big move for us, and we are making this investment because we strongly believe in the future of Vision 2030," said Guriev. "We want to be part of this transformation and help enhance the human capability of Saudi public and private sector organizations by providing leadership and business skills."
LBS has already established strong ties within the Kingdom, with Saudi nationals making up the largest national group at its Dubai campus. In fact, Saudi students accounted for approximately 40 percent of the most recent intake for the Executive MBA program in Dubai.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia now represents the school's largest market for executive education globally, with a more than 250% increase in Saudi enrolment in open-enrollment Executive Education programs in recent years. Nearly one-third of LBS’s executive education clients are Saudi-based companies or individuals.
The Riyadh office will offer a mix of open-enrollment and custom-designed programs tailored to the needs of local organizations. "We teach Saudi corporations as well as public sector organizations in London and in Riyadh," Guriev explained. "We also design customer-centric programs specifically for Saudi companies."
LBS’s expansion was approved by its board in November, and it has already received its commercial registration and investment license from Saudi authorities. Guriev, joined by three Saudi ministers on stage during the Human Capability Initiative, confirmed the institution is now fully licensed to operate within the Kingdom.
In addition to its educational impact, LBS is also supporting broader social goals, including gender inclusion. Guriev highlighted the school’s commitment to advancing female leadership, noting the increased participation of Saudi women in programs both in the Kingdom and abroad. "This is one of the great successes of Saudi Arabia in recent years. We are proud to support this momentum by providing more opportunities for women to access world-class leadership education."
How R Consultancy Group Can Support Educational Expansion
As Saudi Arabia accelerates its transformation under Vision 2030, institutions like London Business School are finding fertile ground for impactful engagement.
For education providers, training firms, and executive development platforms looking to enter or expand in the Kingdom, it is essential to partner with experts who understand the local regulatory, commercial, and cultural landscape.
R Consultancy Group stands at the forefront of this opportunity. We support international institutions in:
Securing investment licenses and navigating regulatory frameworks
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Building presence on the ground through operational, marketing, and partnership support
We are proud to support the growth of world-class educational institutions in Saudi Arabia and welcome collaboration with those seeking to make a lasting impact on the region's human capability development.
Get in touch with R Consultancy Group to explore how we can support your institution's entry into Saudi Arabia.
