A message from our Country Director, Adrian Chadwick OBE
Returning to Saudi Arabia after 13 years is both a privilege and an exciting homecoming. I know the Kingdom well, but it is remarkable to see how much has changed, the pace of development, the ambition of its young people and the opportunities emerging across education, skills and culture.
For more than 50 years, the British Council has worked alongside partners in Saudi Arabia and the UK, building connections through Education, English, Arts and Culture. Today, that work is evolving rapidly alongside Vision 2030 and the ambitions of a young, globally connected generation.
Higher education is one of the most exciting areas of growth. We are helping UK and Saudi institutions build transnational education partnerships, joint programmes, research collaborations and new branch campuses, while creating more opportunities for students, academics and institutions to connect across both countries.
Our work in Arts and Culture is growing just as quickly. Through initiatives such as Saudi Now, we are creating a platform for UK-Saudi cultural exchange and new creative partnerships. We are also building on collaborations with partners including the Royal Commission for AlUla and Ithra, supporting projects across heritage, museums, theatre, visual arts and the wider creative sector, while looking ahead to even greater cultural collaboration in the years to come.
English, teaching and assessment remain central to our work. Through partnerships with schools, universities, government and industry, we continue to support learners and professionals with the skills and qualifications they need to access education, employment and international opportunities.
Across all of this, our role is to bring people and institutions together, create space for new ideas and help partnerships grow.
I look forward to reconnecting with long-standing partners, meeting new ones and exploring the many opportunities ahead for deeper collaboration between Saudi Arabia and the UK.
Adrian Chadwick OBE
Country Director, British Council Saudi Arabia