Coventry security firm scores Saudi deal
A security training company is set to open a new academy in Saudi Arabia, after its work in the Qatar at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Coventry-headquartered Stadium has agreed a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Excellence Company that will see it train thousands of Saudi’s in event management and safety at a new academy under its Qatar-based subsidiary Stadium LLC.
The partnership was secured off the back of Stadium providing training to 8,500 operatives in Qatar, helping to keep safe a cumulative 3.4m spectators across eight venues.
The agreement, which originated through a Department for Business and Trade mission visit to Saudi, is to help the country achieve its goal of hosting several international sporting events as part of its ‘Vision 2023’ where the country aims to diversify the economy and reduce oil dependence.
Stadium supports high-profile events ranging from the Olympic Games to Premier League football matches at Manchester United, Liverpool and Burnley to name a few.
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.
David McAtamney, owner and founder of Stadium, said “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”.
It’s move into the Middle East began five years ago, when Stadium delivered a bespoke training programme to 176 senior Qatari police officers in the UK. This led to the firm securing the World Cup Contract.
“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,” said McAtamney.
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 £17.3bn 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.”
