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Event

Finnovex Saudi Arabia 2025 – Post-Show Highlights

The curtains have just come down on another remarkable edition of Finnovex Saudi Arabia 2025, and the energy from Riyadh is still reverberating. Over the course of two dynamic days, industry leaders, innovators, regulators, and disruptors came together to chart the future of banking and financial services in the Kingdom.

The summit wasn’t just about sharing ideas – it was about sparking real conversations. From thought-provoking keynotes to interactive panel sessions, delegates immersed themselves in discussions on how next-gen technologies, regulatory frameworks, and customer-centric innovation are shaping the region’s financial ecosystem.

One of the standout moments of the summit was the networking buzz. In just the first few hours, delegates engaged in over 100 one-on-one meetings, unlocking collaborations and forging new partnerships that are sure to carry forward the momentum long after the event.


Spotlight on Panel Discussion

Town Hall Panel Discussion:“Defending the Future: Strengthening Cybersecurity and Risk Management in Saudi Arabia’s Financial Ecosystem.”

Moderator:
Ali AlGharrash- Group Head of Cybersecurity (CISO), MEDGULF Cooperative Insurance

Panellists:
🔹 Chaudry Safi Malik- Senior Director Retail Credit Risk, Alrajhi bank
🔹 Issa Al Hurimmees – EVP – Retail Risk (CRRO), The Saudi National Bank – SNB
🔹 Ayman Alhabib- Chief Risk Officer, D360 Bank
🔹 Amro Shawli- Chief Governance, Risk & Control Officer, Bupa Arabia
🔹 Dami Adebari- Regional Sales Director, HID

This powerful panel shed light on the escalating challenges of fraud, cyber threats, and operational risks facing Saudi Arabia’s financial ecosystem. Discussions highlighted next-gen cybersecurity frameworks, proactive risk management, and customer-centric resilience strategies to ensure financial institutions remain both innovative and secure.


Inspiring Keynote Presentations

Over two power-packed days, the summit featured keynote addresses from distinguished leaders, each spotlighting a unique dimension of the Kingdom’s financial future:

  • Abdelrahman Ahmed- Chief Strategy Transformation Officer, Arab National Bank The Shift to Customer-Centric Banking: Mastering Personalization and Enhancing Customer Experience
  • Ayman Alhabib- Chief Risk Officer, D360 BankThe Future of Risk Management: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Smarter Decisions

Distinguished Delegates from Leading Banks and Institutions

  • Saudi Central Bank (SAMA)
  • Saudi National Bank (SNB)
  • Al Rajhi Bank
  • Riyad Bank
  • Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF)
  • Alinma Bank
  • Arab National Bank (ANB)
  • Bank AlBilad
  • The Saudi Investment Bank
  • Bank AlJazira
  • Saudi British Bank (SAB)
  • Gulf International Bank
  • Al Rayan Group
  • Bupa Arabia and many more

Celebrating Excellence – The Finnovex Awards

Finnovex Saudi Arabia has always been more than just a summit – it’s a stage to recognize the pioneers who are driving real change in the financial industry. This year’s Finnovex Awards celebrated visionaries and institutions whose work has set new benchmarks for innovation, inclusion, and impact.

We are proud to congratulate our winners:

  • Excellence in Digital Transformation – Arab National Bank
  • Excellence in Digital Corporate Banking – BSF
  • Excellence in Customer Experience Enhancement – Alrajhi bank
  • Excellence in Digital Innovation – STC Bank
  • Excellence in Open Banking – بنك البلاد | Bank Albilad
  • Outstanding Contribution to Capital Markets – International Business and Investment Union
  • Outstanding Contribution to Financial Inclusion Initiative – Alinma
  • Excellence in Cybersecurity – D360 Bank
  • Excellence in Fintech – Bank AlJazira | بنك الجزيرة
  • Excellence in Composable Banking Platforms – Infosys Finacle
  • Excellence in Digital Consumer Transformation – SAUDI FINANCE | السعودية للتمويل & Nucleus Software
  • Outstanding Contribution to Next-Gen Banking – Audax
  • Outstanding Contribution to Next-Gen Banking – Global ITS

𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬:

  • Digital Banking & Risk Trailblazer of the Year 2025 – Majed Al Jeneny, STC Bank
  • CDO of the Year 2025 – Mazen Pharaon, Riyad Bank
  • CIO of the Year 2025 – Yasser AlOufi, Alinma
  • CTO of the Year 2025 – Khalid Al-Juhani, Arab National Bank
  • Finnovator of the Year 2025 – Abdelrahman Ahmed, Arab National Bank
  • Techblazer of the Year 2025 – Tariq Al-Issa, Alrajhi bank
  • Digital Innovator of the Year 2025 – Raed Aldawood, بنك البلاد | Bank Albilad
  • AI Innovator of the Year 2025 – Abdullah AlQarawi, Alrajhi bank

Each awardee reflects the spirit of Finnovex – pushing boundaries, embracing disruption, and keeping customers at the heart of every transformation.


Looking Ahead

As we close this chapter in Saudi Arabia, the excitement doesn’t end here. The conversations ignited in Riyadh are just the beginning of a broader journey. Finnovex continues across regions, bringing together global leaders to share, connect, and co-create the future of finance.

A heartfelt thank you to our partners, speakers, award winners, and delegates who made this edition of Finnovex Saudi Arabia not only successful but truly unforgettable.

Until next time – let’s keep building the future together.

by Vivek Kumar

W7Worldwide proudly announces that Abdulrahman Inayat has been recognized as PR Leader of the Year at the prestigious Athar Festival 2025, in a category presented in association with the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) — the global representative body for PR associations and consultancies. Representing the world’s leading PR consultancies and national associations across more than 80 countries, ICCO serves as the global voice of the public relations industry. This recognition underscores Inayat’s exceptional leadership and W7Worldwide’s continued contribution to advancing the communications landscape across Saudi Arabia, the MENA region, and international markets. “This achievement is not only personal; it reflects the collective dedication of our W7Worldwide team and the transformation we are witnessing across the Saudi communication landscape,” said Abdulrahman Inayat . “We are proud to contribute to shaping a globally competitive PR industry that mirrors Vision 2030’s ambition and creativity.” This honor adds to a recent series of distinctions recognizing Abdulrahman Inayat’s leadership in the communications sector. He was previously elected Chairman of the Regional Board of the International Public Relations Network (IPRN) for the Middle East and North Africa. He also made history as the youngest board member of PRCA MENA and was presented with the Outstanding Leadership Award, further underscoring his influence across the regional marketing and communications landscape. Meanwhile, W7Worldwide has received over 30 awards in recent years across local, regional, and global platforms, being recognized among the leading communications consultancies in the region. “Abdulrahman’s recognition as PR Leader of the Year exemplifies the excellence and ambition driving the Middle East’s creative marketing and communications community forward,” said Ian Fairservice, Chairman of Motivate Media Group and Festival Co-Founder. W7Worldwide has evolved into one of the region’s most respected homegrown communications consultancies, earning international acclaim for its strategic thinking, innovative storytelling, and deep cultural understanding. The agency continues to lead the way in positioning Saudi and MENA communications excellence on the global stage. About W7Worldwide W7Worldwide is a homegrown, award-winning communications consultancy known for its strategic insights, thought leadership, and culturally grounded storytelling. With a proven track record of partnering with more than 100 clients across diverse sectors, the firm has built deep expertise in reputation management and strategic communication, helping organizations strengthen trust and visibility. Operating across the MENA region and international markets, W7Worldwide continues to elevate Saudi communications leadership on the global stage.

by Vivek Kumar

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by Vivek Kumar

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