The Majlis

Karen Elliott House, former publisher of The Wall Street Journal and expert on Saudi Arabia, discusses her book on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. She reveals MBS's strategies to transform the kingdom through bold reforms and mega-projects. The conversation dives into the cultural shifts within Saudi society, the balance of nationalism and globalism, and how economic stability influences public support for reform. House also critiques Western misconceptions and highlights the geopolitical significance of MBS’s leadership in the Middle East.

In this episode of The Majlis, we sit down with Faisal Sultan, President of Lucid Middle East, to explore the story behind Lucid Motors’ rapid rise and its pivotal role in Saudi Arabia’s electric vehicle revolution.The conversation covers:Lucid’s journey from a battery startup to a luxury EV manufacturerThe strategic importance of Saudi Arabia for Lucid’s global ambitionsThe challenges and opportunities of building a global and resilient supply chainWhat AI advancements mean for vehicles Tune in for a candid discussion on innovation, transformation, and the future of the automotive industry in the Middle East.

In episode 31 of The Majlis, we sit down with Fawaz Farooqui to talk about what it takes to increase the quality of life in a country, leading the national transformation program, organizing the first events in Saudi, and much more.Fawaz was appointed as the first CEO of the country’s National Transformation Program (NTP) to lead the first revamp of the program to enhance execution and delivery, resulting in specialized programs, such as Quality of Life, which he helped establish and was a board member of. He led the establishment team of the General Entertainment Authority. Fawaz is now the CEO of Flow MENA, a residential real estate company that seeks to tackle the modern challenges of isolation and disconnection that many urban dwellers face today. 

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Tony Cripps, CEO of Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), as he shares firsthand insights into the rapid transformation of Saudi Arabia’s banking sector and SAB’s evolving strategy.Tony discusses why digital innovation is at the heart of SAB’s approach:“The domestic banking industry is turning to technology and digital tools to become more customer centric, thereby boosting customer retention. This is a process that involves continuous investment.” If you want to understand the forces reshaping finance in Saudi Arabia and hear directly from a leader at the forefront, this episode offers practical perspectives and real-world examples.Watch now for Tony’s take on the future of banking, innovation, and growth in the Kingdom.

What does it take to transform an industry from the inside out? On this episode of The Majlis, Abeer Alessa, CEO of Bold Group, joins the table to share her story of launching a creative agency in a market once dominated by global giants. Aida reflects on her early days, the challenges of breaking through, and how Vision 2030 is fueling a new generation of Saudi entrepreneurs. Listeners will hear about:The leap from a two-person startup to a leading creative forceNavigating the shift from traditional to digital mediaThe importance of cultural insight in marketingWinning over clients with bold pitches and even bolder ideasWhy specialization is the future of the industry Abeer's journey is a masterclass in resilience, vision, and the power of thinking big. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a creative professional, or simply curious about the transformation sweeping the region, this episode is packed with real-world lessons and inspiration.

In this episode, Abdulrahman Al-Abed, founder and creative director of Qormuz, joins us to discuss how he fuses Saudi Arabia’s rich history and culture with contemporary fashion and lifestyle design. He shares his journey from law graduate to fashion designer, the inspiration behind iconic pieces like the embroidered jubba worn at the Venice Film Festival, and how Qormuz aims to evolve traditional Saudi garments for the future while honoring the Kingdom’s heritage. Abdulrahman also talks about the brand’s role in promoting Saudi culture globally and its alignment with Vision 2030, highlighting the power of storytelling through design and the importance of innovation in preserving identity.

Can you make investing as easy & fun as shopping?How can you put more money in the right places?Adel Alateeq is the former CEO of Jada Fund of Funds, and the current CEO of Awaed, a wealth management platform. He joins us to discuss how investment has evolved in the Kingdom since his days building the first real estate fund at Riyad Capital after the Saudi stock market crash, to founding PIF's fund of funds during COVID, and his latest journey as a fintech CEO.

Welcome back to The Majlis! For the premiere of Season 2, we are joined by Sultan Ghaznawi, Chairman & MD of Scene Holdings. Sultan is a proactive investor and venture builder, and has spent more than a decade building companies across fintech, entertainment & culture, and real estate development and operations. Sultan talks about what it takes to build successful companies, what he looks for in winners, and what excites him about the future of AI.

Just in time for Canada's 60th Flag Day, Ambassador Jean-Philippe Linteau and I discuss the revitalization of Canadian-Saudi relations following a five-year diplomatic rift. We explore key sectors where both countries collaborate, such as infrastructure, clean energy, and education, and address pressing issues like Trump’s tariff plans.Ambassador Jean-Philippe Linteau serves as Canada's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, and Bahrain. He is the first to hold this position following a five-year vacancy (2018-2023). His focus is on strengthening Canadian relations in the Gulf region from economic, strategic, and military perspectives.

Aziz and I talk about the evolution of Web3, why blockchain is potentially more exciting than crypto, how it all works, and why the use cases of it are much broader and can potentially change our lives today. Aziz Alangari is one of the founding partners of ChainVisory, a blockchain consultancy based in Riyadh. Following a career switch from Hollywood to crypto in NYC, Aziz moved back to the Kingdom to help companies and governments leverage blockchain technology to create better user experiences.