Latest news with #SAB
Saudi Gazette
2 days ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Awwal Bank wins 'Best Innovation in Operational Excellence' at CX Live Show 2025
Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), one of the leading banks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has been awarded 'Best Innovation in Operational Excellence' at the Operational Excellence Awards Middle East 2025, part of the Customer Experience Live Show in Dubai. The recognition was announced during the awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 13, which celebrates organizations driving meaningful transformation in operational excellence across the Middle East. The award highlights SAB's exceptional progress in enhancing operational performance through its flagship Ops2.0 Transformation Programme. This transformation initiative has played a pivotal role in standardizing and digitizing end-to-end processes, enhancing employee capabilities, improving ways of working, and embedding data-driven decision-making to elevate daily performance. A panel of esteemed industry judges selected SAB based on comprehensive criteria that evaluated excellence in service delivery, innovation in operational processes, operational risk and control practices, and overall transformation impact. Ghada Al Jarbou, Chief Operating Officer at SAB, commented: 'This achievement reflects our transformational leadership in operations and the impact of this transformation journey in shaping leaner, faster, de-risked, and future ready operations.' She added: 'Through the Ops2.0 programme, we have not only enhanced operational efficiency but also laid the foundation for scalable, data-driven growth that aligns with our broader ambition to lead in innovative banking.'Ayusha Tyagi, Managing Director at Customer Experience Live, said: 'With a very transparent and well-complemented system, the CX Live industry awards are much awaited by stakeholder organizations. Operational Excellence isn't just an upgrade in tools — it's a philosophical shift in how organizations approach efficiency and experience. The future belongs to companies that can fuse intelligence with intention.'SAB continues to advance its transformation strategy by driving innovation, empowering teams, and delivering operational excellence, all of which translate into tangible value for customers and the broader financial ecosystem, in alignment with Vision 2030.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Graeme Smith urges Proteas to stay calm and focused in Test final
South Africa will face Australia in the World Test Championship final starting on 11 June. The Proteas have kicked off preparations in England ahead of their World Test Championship final next week against Australia. Picture: Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images Playing at an iconic venue as they take centre stage of the global Test cricket arena, former Proteas captain Graeme Smith has urged the national team to not be too taken by the momentous occasion. South Africa will face perennial rivals Australia at Lord's, in London, in the World Test Championship final starting on 11 June. Though the ICC Test Championship did not exist when Smith was playing, he collected the mace in 2013 as captain of the top-ranked Test team in the world at the end of that season. This after the Proteas beat both England and Australia in series away from home (including a victory at Lord's). And Smith offered some advice to the current squad ahead of their attempt to clinch the world title, stating the importance of shaking off the butterflies in order to focus on the task at hand. 'Lord's is one of the most incredible places to go in your career. It comes with a lot of tradition and it's one of those grounds you arrive at for training and it's got an atmosphere even without people in it,' Smith said at an SAB send-off function for the Proteas team in Johannesburg on Friday. 'Often you want to get some of those things out the way and get used to the environment, so when you get to game day it's all about playing the moments in front of you, being able to perform your skills and having that mental ability to compete as hard as you can.' Graeme Smith at the SAB send-off function for the Proteas held in Johannesburg on Friday. Picture: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images 'Make the most of the opportunity' However, though the national squad needed to concentrate on every session of what could be a gruelling match, Smith felt it was also important for the players to soak in the moment when they stepped onto the park. 'When you're playing good teams on big occasions in Test matches, it's about session after session having 11 players who are prepared to front up and give it everything they've got because Test cricket is the ultimate test of your cricketing ability,' Smith said. 'But it's also about taking the occasion. I think this team has earned the right to be there, and they must go and make the most of the opportunity.'
Saudi Gazette
26-05-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Awwal Bank introduces innovative Card Activation solution in partnership with IDEMIA Secure Transactions
Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB) has become the first bank in the Kingdom to implement IDEMIA Secure Transactions' (IST) 'Tap to Activate' solution. This initiative is part of SAB's commitment in enhancing customer transactions and providing a seamless and secure banking experience. The 'Tap to Activate' solution will integrate both physical and digital payment experiences, allowing their customers to efficiently activate new payment cards by simply tapping on their smartphone. The service's robust authentication protocols allow for a secure, convenient, and hassle-free process that ensures that only the customer can activate their card, eliminating the need for ATMs or phone banking. Bandar Al-Gheshayan, Chief Wealth & Personal Banking Officer at SAB, stated: "SAB is proud to launch the innovative 'Tap to Activate' solution in the Kingdom, reaffirming our commitment to secure and seamless banking experiences. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and our longstanding partnership with IDEMIA Secure Transactions (IST), we continue to meet the evolving needs of our customers. This initiative enhances convenience, supports the Kingdom's broader digital transformation goals, and sets new standards in customer experience." Serigne Dia, Vice President of Payment Services, Middle East and Africa, IDEMIA Secure Transactions said: "We are excited to strengthen our partnership with SAB through the launch of the innovative 'Tap to Activate' solution. In today's era of convenience, simplifying the user experience has never been more crucial. SAB's keen understanding of evolving consumer needs and market trends exemplifies their customer-centric and forward-thinking approach. By moving beyond the physical card and entrusting IDEMIA Secure Transactions with a digital solution, SAB affirms the high-quality standards that we are trusted to deliver." SAB and IST share a longstanding partnership, having previously collaborated on eco-friendly rPVC payment cards for the bank's customers and exclusive premium metal cards for its high-net-worth clients. This latest venture underscores their shared commitment to innovation and customer-centric financial solutions. SAB remains at the forefront of driving innovation and advancing digital infrastructure, fully aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals of building a robust and secure digital economy. By harnessing cutting-edge technologies and introducing pioneering secure banking solutions, SAB continues to play a vital role in transforming the financial sector. It is noteworthy that Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB) is one of the largest banks in the Kingdom, with a history in Saudi Arabia spanning over 90 years. Over the past nine decades, it has been an active partner in supporting the Kingdom's economic growth and social development. SAB is a leading corporate and institutional international bank in the Kingdom with a top Wealth & Personal Banking proposition. SAB is also a leader in trade finance, foreign exchange, debt wholesale banking, digital service innovation, and ESG, in Saudi Arabia and the broader region. SAB offers integrated financial and banking services, including corporate banking, investment, private banking, and treasury. The bank's paid-up capital is SR 20.5 billion, following its legal merger with Alawwal Bank on 14th March 2021, when it was formerly known as the Saudi British Bank (SABB). SAB operates under the supervision and regulation of the Saudi Central Bank, and is a partner of the HSBC Group.
Pembrokeshire Herald
21-05-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Cleddau Bridge Hotel housing scheme moves ahead
35 affordable homes to replace fire-damaged site in Pembroke Dock THE REDEVELOPMENT of the former Cleddau Bridge Hotel site in Pembroke Dock has taken a significant step forward, as Castell Group and Pembrokeshire County Council confirm the completion of the site sale. The site, which has stood derelict since a devastating fire in 2019, was acquired unconditionally by Castell Group in April 2024. Since then, planning permission and Sustainable Drainage (SAB) approval have been secured, clearing the way for construction to begin. Using a social housing grant from the Welsh Government, the new scheme will deliver 35 affordable homes—providing a mix of social, supported, and intermediate rental properties. All homes will be owned and managed by Pembrokeshire County Council. The development marks a key milestone in bringing a long-neglected brownfield site back into use, with anticipated economic and social benefits for the wider area. Dorian Payne, Managing Director of Castell Group, said: 'We are delighted to reach this critical stage in the redevelopment of the Cleddau Bridge Hotel site. We are excited to move forward with construction in collaboration with Pembrokeshire County Council.' Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing, welcomed the news: 'This site has been derelict since the fire in 2019 so it's fantastic news that it will now be developed into high-quality affordable housing. We are committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing and this development, in one of our largest towns, will play a part in meeting the demand for housing in Pembrokeshire.' Local member Cllr Joshua Beynon added: 'I am really pleased to see the Council developing this piece of land that has been left as an eyesore since it caught fire some years ago. Housing is what we need, and I'm really pleased to see it happening here.' Work on site is expected to begin shortly. Anyone interested in applying for one of the new homes is advised to ensure their housing application is up to date. For further information, contact the Customer Liaison Team at devCLO@ or call 01437 764551.
Daily Maverick
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
130 Years of Brewing Quality for South Africans who Understand a Great Tasting Beer
You can tell a lot about a country by its beer. Great beer is defined not just by what's on tap, but by how it's brewed, the origins of its ingredients, the expectations it carries, and the pride in every pour. South Africans have long understood what makes a truly exceptional beer – not because they were told, but because they've lived it, celebrated with it, and helped shaped its legacy over generations. At SAB, we've spent 130 years trying to live up to that standard. There's a myth that beer is simple. After all, it only takes a handful of ingredients: water, barley, hops, maize, and yeast. But anyone who's brewed knows the truth — that the simplicity of beer is deceptive. Great beer demands discipline, instinct, and deep respect for process. It's equal parts science and soul. Let's start with the ingredients. Water gives beer its body and balance. Barley adds texture and sugar for fermentation, while hops bring bitterness, aroma, and preservation. Yeast works quietly but powerfully — transforming grain into alcohol and unlocking flavour. And maize — often misunderstood — isn't a shortcut. In South Africa, maize has long been part of the local beer profile, lending crispness, drinkability, and a flavour profile that aligns with our climate and palate. What elevates these ingredients is where and how they're sourced. At SAB, 95% of what goes into our beer is grown locally. That's not just a statistic — it's a choice. A choice to invest in South African farmers, in local supply chains, and in an economy that needs industries to show up with both capital and care. We work with researchers and breeders to grow barley suited to South African conditions. We cultivate hops in George. And we source maize from farms that have supplied us for generations. Quality is the throughline. It's what turns raw materials into an experience. In our breweries — seven across the country — we test water dozens of times a day. We discard entire batches if flavour profiles fall outside a narrow window. We brew to standard, not shortcuts. But beer is more than the sum of its parts. It's culture. It's the ritual of it. The first sip after a long day. The shared bottle between friends. The memory of a brand your parents drank. The pride in tasting something familiar, even when the world feels unfamiliar. South Africans don't just drink beer. They expect something from it. That it be consistent. That it be well-made. That it speak to who they are — whether that's through bold flavour like Castle Milk Stout, crisp balance like Castle Lager, or new expressions like Castle Double Malt or Corona Cero. This, for us, is where innovation meets tradition. We've created new products to meet changing tastes — South Africa's first non-alcoholic beer in Castle Free, the world's first Vitamin D-infused alcohol-free beer in Corona Cero, and a new standard in lager complexity with Castle Double Malt. But we've never chased trends for trend's sake. Everything we brew must still pass the ultimate test: does it meet the expectation of a South African who knows what a great beer tastes like? And if it doesn't — we start again. 130 years on, we remain students of beer. Of how it's made, of who drinks it, and of what it represents. Because beer isn't just refreshment. It's a marker of quality, a signal of trust, and a product that — when done right — brings people together without saying a word. That's what we've been chasing for over a century: not just good beer, but good brewing. It's a pursuit that never ends. DM
