A Conversation with Boris Johnson at The Saudi Media Forum

Hana Basrawi is a Saudi fitness entrepreneur and influencer, best known as the founder of THYGA Official, a brand focused on empowering women through health and wellness. With a background split between Saudi Arabia and the UK, Hana blends cultural influences to promote confidence and individuality, THYGA inspired by the Arabic word for “trust,” offers science-backed fitness programs tailored to energy fluctuations, helping women optimize their workouts while balancing busy lives.Hana opens up about the challenges of growing up as a cross-cultural kid, navigating her parents’ divorce, and coping with the loss of her father just a year ago. She shares her journey with honesty and depth, offering insight into resilience and personal growth.

Brian Ward is the Group CEO of Savvy Games Group, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company leading investment and long-term growth in global gaming and esports. With nearly 30 years of experience, he previously led worldwide studios at Activision Blizzard and held key roles at Electronic Arts and Microsoft. Under Brian’s leadership, Savvy has grown into a major player in the industry with 3,500 employees across 22 countries, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s goal of becoming a global gaming and esports hub by 2030. 0:00 Intros6:23 Saudi Gaming Passion10:43 Skills Benefits of Gaming14:05 VR Innovation15:05 Industry Challenges16:55 Evolution of Games18:59 Sports Brand Partnerships25:55 Personal Favorites31:37 Acquisition Growth Success36:01 Horizontal Leadership38:08 Building a Talented Team40:05 Taking Risks Being Adaptable46:03 Overcoming Career Labels47:07 Savvy’s Mission Esports Dominance53:22 Final Thoughts Anecdotes

Jessica Kahawaty is a Food Entrepreneur, Human Rights Advocate, and International Model. The Australian with Middle Eastern roots bridges cultures in fashion and humanitarianism.With a background in Human Rights Law, the former Miss Australia and Miss World runner-up champions social responsibility, notably fronting Louis Vuitton and UNICEF’s ‘Make a Promise’ campaign.She co-founded Mama Rita, a UAE-based food and lifestyle brand, offering Arabic and international cuisine across 300+ locations.Jessica’s humanitarian efforts include an undercover mission in Kolkata’s Red Light district with Free a Girl and fundraising for crises affecting Lebanese, Palestinian, and Syrian refugees with UNICEF and UNHCR.

A Conversation with Boris Johnson at The Saudi Media Forum. Thank you to the Ministry of Media in Saudi Arabia for arranging this. Boris Johnson is a British politician, journalist, and author who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2022. A member of the Conservative Party, he was previously the Mayor of London (2008–2016) and a Member of Parliament for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (2015–2023). Known for his charismatic and sometimes controversial style, Johnson played a key role in the Brexit campaign and led the UK through its formal departure from the EU. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by major events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic challenges, and the Partygate scandal, which contributed to his eventual resignation in 2022. 0:00 Intro1:09 Saudi Arabia’s Rapid Development6:10 From Journalism to Politics10:00 Challenges in Modern Political Communication12:00 “Unleashed” and the Brexit Vision19:00 Vision 203021:00 Regional Geopolitics and Peace Efforts24:00 Media Relationship26:44 Final Thoughts and Messages

A pioneering Saudi Arabian Skier who turned pro in 2022, Sharifa is recognised as the Kingdom’s first female alpine skier. A few days ago, Sharifa made history by participating in the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, marking Saudi Arabia’s first-ever appearance in the event. Beyond her athletic achievements, Sharifa is a mother of two and aspires to inspire the next generation of female athletes in Saudi Arabia. She aims to build a thriving women’s sports community in the Kingdom, demonstrating that with passion and determination, barriers can be broken.

Jamila is a certified etiquette consultant, author, and content creator. She has written three books on etiquette and hosts a popular YouTube channel on etiquette with over 1 million subscribers. She graduated summa cum laude in International Affairs from George Washington University, earned a Master’s from the College of Europe, and received her certification from the International Etiquette and Protocol Academy of London. Raised in Azerbaijan, Jamila is fluent in six languages and combines her expertise in diplomatic protocol, good manners, and luxury living to promote personaldevelopment and multicultural understanding, positioning her as a leading figure in the world of etiquette. Jamila conducts etiquette workshops and meet & greet events globally.

On this episode, we sit down with H.E Ihab Hashani, the Vice Minister of Housing and Municipalities and Chairman of the National Housing Company. He explains how reading Vision 2030 led him to switch from a long private-sector career into public service. We discuss his role in modernizing housing, improving city infrastructure, and boosting overall quality of life in Saudi Arabia. His excellency also shares his perspective on why more young people are choosing government roles, how large-scale initiatives are reshaping cities, and what it means to serve a nation under an ambitious vision.H.E Ihab Hashani 137 | Vice Minister of Municipalities and Housing in Saudi Arabia

Khaled Tash is the Group Chief Marketing Officer at Saudi Airlines. On this episode, Khaled and Mo go into the company's ambitious growth plans, including network expansion, fleet development and the introduction of new passenger experiences. Khaled offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the airline navigates the transformative era of Saudi Arabia's aviation sector and its commitment to enhancing the travel experience.

Hala Abdallah is a Saudi Arabian content creator, entrepreneur, and global influencer. A graduate of OTIS College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. And jewelry design from IGI she combines her passion for art, design, and fashion through her brand, OFA. Known for her striking style and collaborations with luxury brands, Hala is redefining influencer culture in the Middle East. An adventurous spirit, she’s a horse rider, she’s a scuba diver, and world traveler who draws inspiration from her own life.  On this episode, Mo and Hala explore wide range of topics, the power of action over perfection, emphasizing how taking risks and embracing failure drives personal and professional growth. They discuss starting small, iterating, and overcoming the fear of failure, highlighting strategies for cultivating action, balancing preparation with bold decisions, and building confidence to take the first step. 00:00 Intros02:45 Background & Early Life07:30 Finding Passion Through Curiosity12:15 Breaking Barriers18:40 The Role of Fear in Personal Growth23:10 Interpretation & Influence30:05 Transformative Moments in Adulthood35:50 Cultural Narratives40:20 Building Bridges Through Storytelling45:15 Challenges Faced as a Creative50:00 Overcoming Doubt & Embracing Purpose55:40 Listening to Your Inner Voices1:01:20 Spirituality & the Power of Prayer1:05:35 Connection & Community1:10:10 Hala’s Favorite Creative Mediums1:15:50 Navigating Life’s Transitions1:20:30 The Role of Mentors1:25:45 Childhood Dreams1:30:15 Moments of Self-Discovery1:35:00 Overcoming Loss1:40:15 Childhood Dreams & Telepathic Connections1:47:20 Self-Reflection1:54:30 Designing a Life of Gratitude

Evan Spiegel is an American entrepreneur and co-founder of Snap Inc., the parent company of the popular multimedia messaging app Snapchat. The app, launched in 2011, revolutionized social media by introducing disappearing messages and creative visual tools like filters and lenses. Under Spiegel’s leadership as CEO, Snap Inc. has grown into a global company with innovative products such as Spectacles and augmented reality technologies. Recognized for his forward-thinking approach, Evan has become one of the youngest billionaires in the world, known for reshaping how people communicate digitally.On this episode, Evan and Mo discussed Snapchat’s unique popularity in Saudi Arabia, Augmented Reality, Snapchat's inaugurating their new office in Riyadh and Evan’s admiration for the late great Kobe Bryant.