Leaders from across Diaverum Saudi Arabia assembled in Riyadh last week for the Leadership Forum 2026, building on the foundations laid at last year's inagural session.
The event comes as Diaverum celebrates 35 years of providing life-enhancing renal care, and prepares to mark 15 years in Saudi Arabia, a market central to the organisation’s ambition and long-term vision.
The Annual Leadership Forum brought together leaders from clinics, clusters and headquarters for a programme of thought-leadership talks, strategic and cross-functional panel discussions, and interactive workshops, exploring the future of care and healthcare leadership in the Kingdom.
This year’s theme, ‘Lead with Purpose. Drive Change. Deliver with Impact’, reflected the leadership behaviours needed to navigate an increasingly complex healthcare environment: leading with purpose when priorities collide, driving change through continuous adaptation, rather than occasional transformation projects, and delivering impact by creating sustainable value for patients, colleagues and communities.
Ali Shakir, General Manager Diaverum Saudi Arabia, delivering opening remarks at the 2026 Leadership Forum
Defining the next chapter of kidney care
The two-day programme explored some of the most pressing themes shaping healthcare and renal care today. Thought-leadership talks challenged conventional thinking on the relationship between growth, purpose and value, the future of renal care, and the evolving role of human expertise in the age of artificial intelligence.
Particular focus was given on how Diaverum can foster medical excellence while moving towards more proactive, predictive and integrated models of care. Discussions also examined the strategic role of nursing, the importance of patient and employee experience, and the organisational capabilities needed to unlock the organisation’s next phase of development.
Running through these conversations was a common thread; how Diaverum can continue creating sustainable value while advancing the quality, impact and long-term sustainability of care, and what practical capabilities and leadership behaviours will be needed to achieve it.
The programme also featured a keynote address from Her Excellency Maria Håkansson, Ambassador of Sweden to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the partnership between the two Kingdoms. Her keynote speech provided a fitting reflection on Diaverum's own journey, from its roots planted in Sweden 35 years ago to the global organisation it is today, with Saudi Arabia playing a pivotal role in its continued evolution.
Her Excellency Maria Håkansson, Ambassador of Sweden to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with leaders from the organisation
Shaping what comes next
Reflecting on the success of the event, Ali Shakir, General Manager of Diaverum Saudi Arabia, said: “A year ago, we came together for the first time as one leadership community. This year, we built on that foundation”.
“Over two days, we reflected on our journey, challenged our thinking and explored what it will take to deliver the next chapter of care in Saudi Arabia. The diversity of perspectives in the room, combined with a shared commitment to excellence, accountability and impact, is what gives me confidence in the future we are building together.
Growth brings opportunity, but it also brings responsibility. Our challenge is to ensure that as we continue to evolve, we never lose sight of why we are here: to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and the communities we serve.”
As Diaverum Saudi Arabia looks ahead to the upcoming Global Health Exhibition, Leadership Forum 2026 reaffirmed the power of bringing together those shaping strategy with those delivering care every day. The discussions may have ended in Riyadh, but the ambition, accountability and sense of purpose they inspired will continue to guide the work ahead.
