From 4–8 October 2025, the British Council welcomed a high-level delegation to Saudi Arabia led by Baroness Wendy Alexander, Deputy Chair of the British Council, trustee Fiona Salzen, and Regional Director MENA, Amir Ramzan.
Their visit underscored the British Council’s long-standing partnership with Saudi Arabia and our shared ambition to deepen collaboration in education, culture, and the creative industries. Over five days in Riyadh and Jeddah, the delegation met key partners, explored new opportunities, and experienced first-hand how Vision 2030 is shaping a vibrant cultural ecosystem.
Celebrating Arts and Cultural Exchange
A highlight of the visit was a tour of Diriyah Art Futures’ “CONTINUUM ’25” exhibition, where the delegation explored innovative new-media installations merging art, technology, and storytelling. Curated by Irini Papadimitriou, the exhibition featured works by UK artists Karen Palmer and William Brooks alongside emerging Saudi and international talents. Through immersive installations, VR experiences, and AI-generated art, the show explored themes of identity, memory, and our evolving relationship with technology, reflecting the depth of creative dialogue between the UK and Saudi Arabia.
Among the works is UK-based artist William J. Brooks’ “Clastic Resonance,” a sound installation built with Riyadh sandstone boulders.
The group also visited Princess Noura University and cultural partners in Jeddah, learning more about the Kingdom’s growing investment in arts education, design, and cultural infrastructure. These conversations reaffirmed the British Council’s commitment to supporting capacity-building in the creative economy, empowering artists, and fostering sustainable cultural collaboration.
The delegation’s visit came at an exciting time for UK–Saudi cultural partnerships, with ongoing projects in film, visual arts, heritage, and craft, including exciting projects such the ongoing grantees project in AlUla celebrating the Saudi heritage and culture.
Expanding Access and Opportunity
In parallel, the delegation witnessed important developments in the education sector. A new Memorandum of Understanding between the British Council and the Colleges of Excellence, witnessed by H.E. Yousef Al-Benyan and H.M. Ambassador Stephen Hitchen, will expand English language and TVET cooperation to equip Saudi youth with the skills needed for future industries.
A Shared Vision for the Future
Throughout the week, Baroness Wendy Alexander and Fiona Salzen represented the British Council at major education and culture events, including the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit and the LEARN Conference in Riyadh.
Reflecting on the visit, Amir Ramzan noted that the growing UK–Saudi partnership in arts and education “demonstrates the power of collaboration to unlock potential and deliver long-term impact.”
From classrooms to galleries, the British Council continues to connect the UK and Saudi Arabia through shared values, creativity, and innovation, helping both nations imagine and shape a brighter, more connected cultural future.
