MIPIM GALLERY | Vision: How the UK and Saudi Arabia are delivering on big ambitions

In a world that feels increasingly interconnected, the partnership between the UK and Saudi Arabia is proving to be a powerful force in shaping the future of the built environment. At a panel event hosted by Place North and sponsored by Trowers & Hamlins and Studio Hoodless, leading figures from the development industry in both nations came together to discuss how they are working to deliver on bold visions and create new kinds of cities.

Expert speakers:

• Jen Hartley, assistant director of capital investment, Newcastle City Council
• Carl Schibrowski, chief development officer, New Murraba
• Katie Saunders, head of Manchester office and construction partner, Trowers & Hamlins
• Harry Hoodless, founder and director, Studio Hoodless
• Invest Saudi representative
• Chaired by Julia Hatmaker, Place North

Each panellist offered a unique perspective on the evolving relationship between the two countries and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. Katie Saunders set the stage, highlighting Trowers & Hamlins’ longstanding presence in the Middle East, with an office in Riyadh established just last year. “It’s been a really long journey to get to the point of having an office in Saudi Arabia,” she explained, “but it’s really an opportunity now to grow from that base and support some of the work that’s going on.”

Carl Schibrowski, the inaugural Chief Development Officer for New Murraba, provided a deeper dive into the ambitious project, a 92,000-dwelling, 14 sq km urban infill development that aims to be the new modern downtown of Riyadh: “It’s the world’s most technologically enabled building, and it’s a city within a building,” he shared, emphasising the project’s scale and vision.

Jen Hartley, from Newcastle City Council, spoke of the city’s unique relationship with Saudi Arabia, forged through the sale of the Newcastle United football club to the Public Investment Fund in 2021. “We’re looking at what we can do around trade and investment,” she explained, “so we have a number of our companies that are going up and setting up HQs over in the kingdom, but also looking at that return investment.”

Harry Hoodless, the architect from Studio Hoodless, shared his experience designing a specialised educational needs school in Jeddah, highlighting the valuable cultural exchange and the growth opportunities that have emerged: “Until you get out there and really understand what the place is about, you don’t know what the opportunity actually is,” he noted.

The elephant in the room

The geopolitical landscape was obviously a topic of conversation, with the panelists acknowledging the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. However, they emphasised that business remains “as usual” in the UK-Saudi partnership, with a focus on long-term investments and a commitment to stability.

Saunders noted that the Saudi British Joint Business Council has reported a continued positive mood within the kingdom, while Schibrowski highlighted New Murraba’s long-term outlook, with the project expected to be completed around 2045. “This is a city that will outlive all of us,” he said, underscoring the importance of taking a generational view.

Hartley took a different approach to the question, noting: “We’ve just had the first anniversary of the North East Regional Defence and Security Cluster. It was created after we recognised that the North East was under‑represented in Ministry of Defence spending and had the fewest defence jobs in the country – which feels unbalanced for a region built on industrial heritage, shipbuilding and arms. So we’re now very focused on building up our capabilities in that sector.”

Cultural exchange

The panelists also explored the similarities and differences between the UK and Saudi Arabia, and the opportunities for mutual learning and exchange. Hoodless pointed to the UK’s expertise in areas like climate-responsive design and safety standards, while Schibrowski acknowledged the UK’s design capabilities that have been instrumental in New Murraba’s development.

Hartley, meanwhile, highlighted the UK’s struggles with planning and decision-making processes, an area where Saudi Arabia has demonstrated remarkable agility. “What we are also seeing is that skills exchange,” she added, noting the potential for the UK to share its experience in building specialised talent pipelines, particularly in the creative industries.

Throwing out the playbook

The overarching theme was one of ambition and a willingness to challenge the status quo. Schibrowski spoke of the need to “shoot for the stars” and not be afraid to “throw out the playbook” when it comes to reimagining cities. Hoodless echoed this sentiment, emphasising the importance of embracing density and prioritising human-centric design, which is something that Saudi’s traditionally shorter skyline is welcoming in the quest for its 15-minute cities.

As the panel concluded, it is clear that the partnership between the UK and Saudi Arabia is not only a strategic one, but also a dynamic exchange of ideas, capabilities, and a shared vision for the future of the built environment. With their complementary strengths and commitment to bold, transformative projects, these two nations are poised to shape the urban landscapes of tomorrow.

As Schibrowski said: “Saudi’s urban transformation is far bigger and more positive than most people expect. What you see on the ground is a long‑term commitment to stability and to reshaping how cities work – projects that run to 2045 and beyond, designed to outlive all of us.

“Vision 2030 isn’t just about building at speed and scale; it’s about creating a new kind of modern downtown that’s rooted in culture, sustainability and a better quality of urban life.”

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