The Financial Academy, in collaboration with S&P Global Ratings, is hosting a series of free specialized workshops throughout 2026, targeting professionals working in capital market institutions, as well as students, graduates, and investors with an interest in finance and economics.

The first workshop, held recently, covered the fundamentals of credit ratings and provided a comprehensive practical overview of the rating process and its key concepts, equipping participants with the knowledge needed to interpret credit market developments and make informed financial decisions.

The workshop was presented by Mr. Ahmed Al-Sadah, Managing Director and Country Head of S&P Global Ratings in Saudi Arabia, who affirmed that this collaboration reflects both parties’ firm commitment to advancing financial culture and knowledge within the Kingdom’s financial sector.

The second workshop will be delivered by Mr. Alan Fitzpatrick, Head of Investment Management Sector Leadership at S&P Global Sustainable1. It will offer participants a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and climate in support of financial decision-making, linking sustainability concepts to financial risk, credit, and capital allocation. The workshop will also highlight alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and introduce the tools, frameworks, and methodologies — non-commercial — used across the financ ial sector.

Timucin Engin, Managing Director and Head of National Scale Ratings for Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, stated that collaborating with the Financial Academy on this initiative represents an important step, reaffirming the commitment to supporting the development of the Kingdom’s rapidly growing capital markets through the sharing of global expertise and knowledge.

The Financial Academy is an entity with an independent legal and administrative identity, organizationally affiliated with the Chairman of the Capital Market Authority Board. Its mission is to qualify, develop, and advance human capital in the financial sector by building the knowledge, capabilities, skills, and financial literacy of its professionals — including executive leadership and board members of sector institutions — and to contribute to developing best practices in the field. The Academy serves all entities across the financial sector, including banking, finance, insurance, and the capital market.