TAB Global has conferred the William “Bill” Seidman Lifetime Leadership Achievement Award on Lubna Sulaiman Olayan, chair of Saudi Awwal Bank, recognising her transformative leadership in Saudi Arabia’s banking sector and her pioneering contributions to corporate governance, inclusiveness and social development. Her career embodies innovation, resilience and a deep commitment to advancing Saudi Arabia’s financial and social landscape. She has guided Saudi Awwal Bank through strategic transformations, championed women’s empowerment in business and overseen philanthropic initiatives spanning healthcare, education and community development. These contributions continue to inspire future generations of leaders across the Middle East and beyond, reinforcing her position as a trailblazer in banking, business and social impact. Trailblazing leadership and transformation in banking Olayan’s career represents a defining chapter in the evolution of Saudi Arabia and Gulf banking. As chair of Saudi Awwal Bank, she has guided one of the Kingdom’s leading financial institutions through strategic transformation, including its landmark merger with Al Awal Bank. Under her leadership, the bank has embedded innovation, sustainability and inclusiveness at the heart of its governance and strategic agenda. Widely regarded as a pioneer for women in finance, she was the first Saudi woman to join the board of a publicly listed company in 2004 and became the first woman to chair a major Saudi bank in 2019. She has opened doors for future generations of leaders, setting new standards of professionalism, transparency and ethical stewardship in Saudi Arabia’s corporate sector. Her extensive experience and dedication to developing future leaders have made her a respected advisor and influential voice in shaping corporate and banking strategies across the region and beyond. Visionary business stewardship Through decades of executive experience at the Olayan Financing Company, she has built one of the most respected and diversified business groups in the region, expanding its footprint in finance, manufacturing, consumer goods and services. Under her stewardship, the Olayan portfolio embraced international best practices in risk management, corporate governance and sustainability—principles she has carried into her work in banking. She combines pragmatic commercial insight with a deep conviction that profitability and purpose can and must coexist. Her leadership roles on global and regional boards—including the World Economic Forum and INSEAD—has established her as a sought-after voice on inclusive growth and corporate responsibility. Global philanthropy and social investment Olayan is a dedicated philanthropist whose initiatives aim to improve education, job creation and community development in Saudi Arabia and beyond. Through the Olayan Foundations, she has overseen significant investments in healthcare, research and education—including the Olayan Center for Cancer Vaccines at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the Olayan Day Care Unit at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. The foundation has also funded scholarships and community programmes to empower youth and promote lifelong learning. Her commitment to social responsibility extends to her business philosophy, emphasising that corporations have a duty to contribute to society and that sustainable development should guide long-term strategy. She continues to embody integrity, compassion and excellence—the hallmarks of leadership that define the global stature of Saudi Arabia’s modern financial community.
