Partner Article

Coventry-based security firm to open Saudi Arabia training academy

A security training company has scored a new deal to open a training academy in Saudi Arabia on the back of playing a key role in last year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Stadium LLC has agreed a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Excellence Company that will see it train thousands of Saudi nationals in event management and safety at a new academy.

The partnership builds on Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global sport and comes on the back of Stadium providing training to some 8,500 operatives at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, helping to keep safe a cumulative 3.4 million spectators across eight venues.

The agreement, which originated through a Department for Business and Trade mission visit to Saudi, will help the country to host a myriad of international sporting events over the coming years – a central part of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030, where the country aims to diversify the economy and reduce oil dependence.

Stadium LLC is a Qatar-based subsidiary of the UK’s leading security, safety and traffic management specialist Stadium, which supports high-profile events ranging from the Olympic Games to Premier League football matches and is headquartered in Coventry, UK.

The Saudi Excellence Company is part of the Al-Ramez International Group and is one of the leading security and defence companies in the region, providing services to Saudi Government and Enterprises in Saudi Arabia, led by Chairman Sheikh Abdullah Zaid Al-Meleichi.

The partnership formed as a result of Stadium’s key role in the World Cup where it provided safety training to thousands of operatives in Qatar, ensuring they gain formal qualifications including a Level 2 International Certificate in Spectator Safety, a Level 3 Certificate in Spectator Safety Supervision, as well as a Level 4 Diploma in Spectator Safety Management.

Its involvement in Qatar began five years prior when it delivered a bespoke training programme to 176 senior Qatari police officers in the UK, culminating in a major contract which saw Stadium-trained stewards operating at every World Cup game last year.

David McAtamney, owner and founder of Stadium, said: “This is a really exciting agreement which will help to play a key role in propelling sport and expanding industry in Saudi Arabia – a country which has a tremendous appetite for live events and is making significant waves in the world of sport.

“Saudi Arabia has a population of more than 35 million and over two-thirds of those are under the age of 35, and growing the security and events management industry in the country and creating jobs is key to unlocking its sporting potential.

“As a company, Stadium has been positioned as one of the UK’s leading event and training management specialists for some time now, with extensive knowledge and expertise in the facilitating of safe large-scale events, both on a national and international stage.

“We have been involved in delivering stewarding and training programmes to some of the biggest names in English football, ranging from Manchester United to Liverpool, and are proud to still be working with Burnley who are the very first English football club we won a contract with back in 2009.

“Our move into the Middle East began with the opening of our sister company Stadium LLC in Doha, Qatar, in 2020, and our plans to open a new training academy in Saudi Arabia is an exciting new chapter for us as we expand the business.

“Not only is this partnership with the Saudi Excellence Company a fantastic legacy for Stadium’s work at the World Cup in Qatar last year – which was widely hailed as one of the most successful and safety FIFA events ever held, and the third-highest attended FIFA World Cup in history – but it is also testament to the strength of the security and events management industry in Britain, which has been a world-leader for some time now.”

Sheikh Abdullah Zaid Al-Meleichi, Chairman of The Saudi Excellence Company, said: “As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia witnesses an unprecedented expansion in supporting and hosting local and international sporting events, The Saudi Excellence Company intends to enhance security expertise in sports with our partner, Stadium LLC, in order to stay on top of this trend and develop a safe environment for such sporting events, as well as creating suitable and promising employment opportunities for young talent and retired security professionals.”

Business and Trade Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “It is excellent news that Stadium has secured this deal with Saudi Arabia, building on a trading relationship where total trade was worth £17.3billion in 2022.

“This Government is working around the clock to help businesses grasp exciting new opportunities around the world, helping to boost exports, create jobs and grow the economy.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .