Driven by Vision 2030 and a tide of visionary reforms, Saudi Arabia is transforming exponentially as a hub of global innovation and economic vigor. Prominent CEOs of the country are adopting digital innovation, sustainability, and emerging technologies to raise excellence levels and global competitiveness. From fintech to smart infrastructure, Saudi businesses are innovating traditional models, building a culture of adaptability, creativity, and long-term expansion. Leading this change is an ambitious new generation of leaders who are determined to unleash the full potential of the country in the world.
One of these visionary leaders is Ahmed Karam, the Partner at Rubix Consulting. Through his keen strategic insight and decades of experience in business change, Ahmed Karamhas established himself as one of the pillars of Saudi Arabia’s business landscape. He enables organizations to thrive against daunting obstacles, instill innovation, and make the Kingdom’s ambitious aspirations a reality. As a Rubix leader, Karam is not just conforming to change—he is propelling it, enabling clients and industries to thrive in the age of possibility.
In an interview with The Dubai Leaders, Ahmed Karamopened up about his professional journey, challenges and achievements, leadership strategies, and future plans.
Following are excerpts from the interview:
-
What inspired your transition into the consulting and innovation space?
My transition into the consulting and innovation space was a natural progression, driven by a deep-seated passion for leveraging technology to solve complex challenges and unlock potential. Early in my career, I witnessed the profound impact that strategic technological adoption could have on an organization’s trajectory. This sparked a desire to move beyond singular operational roles and into a capacity where I could guide multiple entities through transformative change.
The dynamic digital evolution in the Middle East, especially the ambitious Vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia, presented a compelling arena to contribute to significant, national-level advancements. The core inspiration remains the opportunity to architect and implement innovative solutions, like those offered through Rubix Consulting’s InnoTech Platform, that bridge the gap between technological possibility and tangible, sustainable business value for our clients in the GCC and beyond.
-
How has your professional journey shaped your leadership approach?
My professional journey, spanning nearly three decades across diverse sectors including governmental bodies and global private enterprises, has been instrumental in forging my leadership approach. It has taught me that effective leadership transcends mere authority; it is fundamentally about empowerment, clear and empathetic communication, and fostering a resilient, shared vision, particularly when navigating the complexities of digital transformation. Leading multifaceted projects has underscored the necessity of adaptability and active listening. My philosophy is deeply influenced by the principles of servant leadership—emphasizing justice, humility, and collaborative consultation (Shura), values that resonate with the core tenets of the Quran. This translates into prioritizing the growth and well-being of my team, understanding their unique challenges, and cultivating an environment where every individual feels valued, motivated, and empowered to contribute their best, reflecting the collaborative ethos we champion at Rubix Consulting.
-
What pivotal moments have defined your career so far?
Several pivotal moments have significantly shaped my career. Being recognized with a shield of thanks and appreciation by His Excellency Mr. Majed bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, the Saudi Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, for my contributions to the Ministry’s digital transformation processes was a profound honor, validating the impact of dedicated, strategic work. My involvement with the “Yesser” e-Government Program, now the Digital Government Authority (DGA), was another defining period. Contributing to the development of the National Overall Referencing Architecture (NORA) and the Second Saudi e-Government Executive Plan was instrumental in laying foundational elements for the Kingdom’s digital future. Furthermore, advising King Saud University on its comprehensive strategic and digital transformation plans, including the establishment of its Quality Management Department and overseeing its ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications, marked a key phase in applying transformative IT within the crucial education sector. Lastly, establishing the “Smart Governments, Smart Cities & Digital Transformation” LinkedIn community has been pivotal in fostering vital knowledge-sharing and collaborative dialogue across the global and Middle Eastern technology ecosystems.
-
What’s the most challenging project you’ve led—and how did you overcome it?
One of the most demanding projects involved guiding a large governmental entity through a comprehensive digital overhaul. The challenges were manifold: deeply entrenched legacy systems, significant internal resistance to change, the need for seamless integration of disparate new technologies, and rapidly evolving public service demands. We navigated this complexity by applying Rubix Consulting’s “6P Framework” for successful digital transformation. Our approach began with establishing a clear, co-created Purpose and Visioning with all key stakeholders to ensure alignment. We then meticulously Planned the transformation in manageable phases, prioritizing quick wins to build crucial momentum and demonstrate value. A People-centric strategy, emphasizing transparent communication, targeted training, and active engagement, was key to addressing resistance. We instituted robust Performance Governance to track progress and ensure accountability, while continuously optimizing Processes through collaborative design with the client’s teams. This empathetic, strategically phased, and collaborative methodology, bolstered by strong Partnerships, transformed a high-risk initiative into a recognized success, significantly enhancing service delivery and operational efficiency for the entity.
-
What achievement are you most proud of in your career?
While individual accolades and specific project successes, such as the recognition from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, are deeply gratifying, my proudest achievement is the broader, cumulative impact of consistently contributing to the digital enablement and advancement of Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region. It’s the privilege of playing a role in supporting visionary national agendas like Saudi Vision 2030 by empowering numerous public and private organizations to harness the transformative power of technology. This includes establishing robust digital transformation frameworks, architecting enterprise-level solutions, and fostering a culture of pragmatic innovation. Witnessing the tangible benefits – improved citizen services, enhanced business competitiveness, and seeing teams I’ve mentored develop into leaders themselves – provides a profound and lasting sense of fulfillment. It’s about co-creating a legacy of enhanced capability and sustainable digital transformation.
-
What sets you apart from other leaders in the consulting and innovation ecosystem?
I believe what distinguishes me is a harmonious blend of nearly three decades of executive-level practical experience in both the public and private sectors, specifically within the nuanced cultural and organizational landscape of the Middle East and North Africa region. This is coupled with an unwavering commitment to the concept of “pragmatic innovation” – a cornerstone of Rubix Consulting’s philosophy. While many leaders excel in either strategic formulation or operational execution, my focus has always been on achieving seamless integration between the two, ensuring that ambitious strategies translate into practical and implementable solutions. My approach is deeply informed by an authentic understanding of local cultures, business practices, and regulatory environments, which I integrate with global best practices and insights into emerging technologies. Furthermore, my leadership is anchored in strong ethical principles and a genuine dedication to empowering clients and teams. It’s not merely about delivering projects but extends to building lasting capabilities and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, a vision clearly embodied in our “InnoTech” platform. Above all, I am driven by a sincere and profound love for my homeland, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the land of the Two Holy Mosques, which encompasses the most sacred and noble places on Earth. Serving it is a great honor for anyone afforded the opportunity, and I have been living on its blessed land for over fifty years.
-
What makes InnoTech Platform and Rubix Consulting stand out in a competitive market?
Rubix Consulting distinguishes itself through a truly holistic, client-centric approach. We don’t operate as traditional advisors; we embed ourselves as strategic partners, becoming an extension of our client’s team to ensure that strategies are not only devised but are effectively implemented and yield tangible benefits. Our strength lies in our five interconnected core pillars: Consulting, Solutions, Analytics, Accelerator, and Connect, which provide a comprehensive and integrated suite of services meticulously tailored to each client’s unique transformation journey.
The InnoTech Platform, a flagship offering within our “Solutions” pillar, powerfully exemplifies this distinctiveness. It transcends being a mere collection of technologies; it is an end-to-end engine meticulously engineered for digital transformation. InnoTech excels by seamlessly integrating advanced governance frameworks, ERP/GRP applications, ISO compliance services, strategic IT consulting, robust cybersecurity measures, and pioneering emerging technologies such as Digital Twins, Smart City solutions, and AIdriven analytics. What truly sets InnoTech apart is its foundational design around Rubix’s proprietary “6P Framework”—Purpose, Planning, Partnerships, People, Processes, and Performance Governance—ensuring that every technological deployment is intrinsically aligned with overarching strategic objectives and delivers measurable, impactful outcomes, particularly in supporting critical national agendas like Saudi Vision 2030.
-
How do you cultivate a culture of ownership, collaboration, and creativity within your teams?
Cultivating a thriving culture of ownership, collaboration, and creativity begins with establishing a foundation of trust and genuine empowerment. At Rubix Consulting, and within every team I have the privilege to lead, we prioritize transparent and consistent communication of the overarching vision and specific objectives. This ensures every team member profoundly understands their individual role and the significant value of their contribution to the collective success. Ownership is nurtured by delegating not just tasks, but meaningful responsibility, granting team members the autonomy to make decisions and innovate within their defined domains. Collaboration, a core value at Rubix termed “Collaborative Growth,” is actively fostered by dismantling silos, championing cross-functional teamwork, and celebrating shared achievements. Creativity flourishes in an environment where experimentation is encouraged, and where failures are viewed not as setbacks, but as invaluable learning opportunities. We champion diverse perspectives, practice active listening, and provide dedicated platforms for sharing novel ideas without apprehension, reinforcing this through continuous feedback, mentorship, and the celebration of innovation.
-
Beyond your direct consulting engagements, you’re recognized as a prominent voice in the digital transformation discourse, particularly on professional platforms like LinkedIn. Could you elaborate on your contributions in this sphere and how they reflect your commitment to advancing the innovation ecosystem?
My active presence on LinkedIn is a vital extension of my dedication to advancing the digital transformation agenda and nurturing a robust innovation ecosystem within Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region. I regularly share in-depth articles and insightful posts aimed at demystifying complex technological paradigms, discussing emergent trends, and showcasing best practices in critical areas such as smart governance, enterprise architecture, and the strategic alignment of digital initiatives with Vision 2030. This commitment to knowledge dissemination has resonated significantly, leading to over 1.1 million total impressions and reaching over 232,000 unique members, with remarkable year-over-year growth in both impressions (1,112.9%) and member reach (967.3%). This engagement, further evidenced by reaching LinkedIn’s 30,000 connection limit alongside an additional 37,000+ followers, over 130 high-value professional recommendations.
And the honor of being ranked #9 among the Top 50 Technology & Innovation Creators in Saudi Arabia by Favikon, underscores the profound regional appetite for practical, forward-thinking content. Moreover, founding and growing the “Smart Cities, Smart Government, Quantum Technology & Digital Transformation Community” to over 3,700 members provides a dynamic collaborative hub. These efforts are intrinsically linked to my consulting work, aimed at building a knowledgeable, empowered, and futureready professional community.
-
What future vision are you working toward, and what legacy do you aim to leave in the consulting world?
My future vision is to see Rubix Consulting, significantly amplified by transformative engines like our InnoTech Platform, solidify its position as the preeminent and most trusted partner for organizations embarking on ambitious and complex digital transformation journeys across Saudi Arabia and the broader GCC region. I envision Rubix playing an increasingly pivotal role in the realization of the far-reaching aspirations of Saudi Vision 2030, driving substantive innovation in smart governance, sustainable urban development, digital economic diversification, and citizen-centric services. We are diligently working towards a future where “pragmatic innovation” is not merely a strategic concept but a deeply embedded, operational reality within our clients’ organizations. The legacy I aspire to leave is one of demonstrable, lasting impact: organizations fundamentally transformed for the better, citizen and customer experiences significantly enhanced, and a new generation of local talent skilled, empowered, and inspired to lead confidently in the evolving digital era. It’s about building a consulting ethos that is impeccably ethical, profoundly client-focused, and relentlessly committed to delivering sustainable value.
-
What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
If I were to offer a single, crucial piece of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, it would be this: relentlessly prioritize and cultivate Continuous Learning and Adaptability as your foundational pillars. The entrepreneurial landscape, particularly within the dynamic realms of technology and innovation, is characterized by perpetual evolution and rapid change. Strategies and solutions that are effective today can quickly become outdated. Therefore, it is imperative to foster an insatiable curiosity, an unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth, and a resilient growth mindset. Embrace challenges not as insurmountable obstacles, but as invaluable opportunities for learning and refinement. Do not fear pivoting your strategy when market feedback, data analytics, or emerging trends indicate a necessary shift in direction. Actively seek out mentorship, stay rigorously informed about industry developments, and, most importantly, develop a profound and empathetic understanding of your customers’ ever-evolving needs and pain points. Resilience, forged upon the bedrock of adaptability and a dedication to continuous learning, will be your most potent asset in navigating the inherent uncertainties of the entrepreneurial journey and ultimately transforming your vision into a thriving, sustainable reality. This mirrors our own agile approach at Rubix Consulting.
