Main Event & Exhibition: 14 - 15 October | DWTC
Future Workplace Awards: 14 October | Conrad Hotel
HR Summit and Expo Day Two - 15 October 2026 - GT (Gulf Time, GMT+04:00)
Most workforce plans collapse when uncertainty hits. This session equips senior leaders with practical frameworks to build organisational agility and gain competitive advantage.
Key Learning Takeaways:
Identify early workforce vulnerability signals to mitigate risks before they escalate
Develop predictive models accurately forecasting talent shortages across critical business functions
Create robust contingency plans safeguarding essential operations during disruption
Establish flexible workforce approaches enabling rapid response to changing business conditions
- Mira Zakharia - Corporate Vice President - Talent and Culture, Rotana Hotels
- Khaled Al Mazrooei - Human Capital Director - Group Level, Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement
- Chidambaram Annamalai - Chief HR & QHSE Officer, Bindasmal Group Investments L.L.C
As artificial intelligence reshapes the workplace, the distinctly human capability to build and sustain trust has never been more critical. In this compelling session, Stephen M.R. Covey explores how leaders can leverage trust as their ultimate competitive advantage in an increasingly automated world. Discover practical strategies to cultivate high-trust cultures that drive innovation, accelerate collaboration, and unlock unprecedented performance. Learn why trust is the one leadership competency that AI cannot replicate and how mastering it will define the leaders who thrive in the future of work.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding trust as a measurable, learnable skill in the AI era
- Building credibility and inspiring confidence across hybrid and digital teams
- Creating psychological safety that empowers innovation and risk-taking
- Leveraging trust to enhance speed, reduce costs, and elevate organisational performance
- Stephen M.R. Covey - New York Times & #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Keynote Speaker, Speed of Trust Global Practice Leader
- Stephen M.R. Covey - New York Times & #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Keynote Speaker, Speed of Trust Global Practice Leader
Leading companies are rethinking talent development, moving beyond reactive hiring to build internal capability and leadership readiness. This conversation explores how businesses create integrated frameworks that close skills gaps, develop future leaders, and maintain business continuity through strategic succession planning.
Key Learning Takeaways:
Conduct skills audits to identify critical capability gaps and assess leadership readiness across the organisation
Design integrated learning ecosystems combining mentorship, experiential learning, and cross-functional development programs
Create internal mobility frameworks and succession protocols that reduce recruitment costs and ensure business continuity
Embed learning culture throughout the organisation while building transparent communication approaches that strengthen confidence in leadership transitions
- Siham Jami - Associate Vice President HR Business Partner, Emirates NBD
- Sabil Abdulla - Vice President - Talent Management, Emirates Petroleum Company (PJSC) - Emarat
Transformation requires experimentation, but HR's risk-averse DNA often gets in the way. Explore how organisations are creating structured innovation environments that deliver measurable results while maintaining governance and control.
Key Learning Outcomes:
Design psychological safety frameworks that encourage AI experimentation
Shift employee mindsets from "failure avoidance" to "intelligent experimentation"
Establish governance structures that balance innovation velocity with responsible deployment
Measure cultural readiness for AI adoption and identify transformation barriers
- Charmaine Elizabeth Klima - Vice President - Learning, Mubadala
This session introduces the Future-Ready Set™ framework, centered on three critical capabilities: Emotional Intelligence, Adaptability, and Resourcefulness. These capabilities help employees navigate change effectively, maintain performance under pressure, embrace new technologies, and contribute meaningfully to evolving workplaces.
The session would explore how organisations can move beyond traditional notions of resilience and create cultures that actively develop adaptability, encourage resourceful thinking, and strengthen emotional intelligence across all levels of the business.
Attendees would learn how to:
- Build sustainable high-performance cultures without sacrificing wellbeing.
- Develop Emotional Intelligence as a foundation for engagement, collaboration, and leadership effectiveness.
- Strengthen workforce Adaptability to navigate uncertainty, disruption, and continuous change.
- Foster Resourcefulness as a critical capability for innovation, problem-solving, and performance.
- Create cultural conditions that support both employee wellbeing and organisational success.
- Prepare their workforce for the human challenges associated with AI, transformation, and the future of work.
The session would provide practical frameworks and leadership actions that organisations can immediately apply to build more engaged, adaptable, and future-ready workforces while supporting long-term business performance.
Businesses increasingly expect HR to demonstrate a measurable impact on productivity and performance outcomes. Explore how HR professionals are using data analytics, workflow optimisation, and performance barriers analysis to show direct contribution to business results.
Key Learning Takeaways:
Balance productivity with wellbeing to prevent burnout while maximising output
Implement data-driven productivity metrics that identify bottlenecks, optimise workflows, and demonstrate HR's ROI on business performance
Remove performance barriers through technology integration, skills development, and cultural practices
Leverage generational insights to tailor productivity strategies that align with diverse work styles and motivational drivers
Discover how aligning HR and marketing strategies can unlock new levels of organisational performance. This session examines the transformative impact of cross-functional collaboration, showcasing how integrated approaches break down silos, enhance employee engagement, and drive measurable business outcomes.
Key Learning Takeaways:
Build strategic partnerships between HR and marketing through communication frameworks that align people strategies with business growth.
Position culture as a competitive advantage by integrating employer branding with culture transformation initiatives.
Leverage marketing expertise and data analytics to elevate recruitment strategies, employee communication, and retention efforts.
Develop authentic Employee Value Propositions (EVPs) that reflect organisational culture while advancing strategic business goals.
- Vanitha Nitin - Vice President - Human Resources, Burjeel Holdings
Successful mergers and acquisitions depend on effectively bringing together different organisational cultures. Explore the critical role culture plays in M&A success through practical insights from real-world integrations.
Key Learning Takeaways:
Understand why culture is critical to integration and how cultural alignment impacts productivity, talent retention, and business continuity
Manage integration expectations by establishing realistic timelines for cultural change and setting clear stakeholder expectations
Design effective integration strategies through targeted communication, employee engagement, and change management approaches to build unified culture
Over the past two days, we’ve examined the forces reshaping leadership, workforce dynamics, and resilience. This closing panel empowers senior leaders to translate these insights into a forward-looking 2030 strategy that anticipates disruption, aligns talent with business priorities, and positions your organisation to lead in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Key Learning Takeaways:
Integrate conference insights into a unified 2030 vision that addresses emerging challenges and opportunities across workforce strategy.
Identify critical workforce gaps by mapping the skills, roles, and capabilities required as AI, automation, and shifting employee expectations redefine work.
Develop adaptive planning frameworks that respond to market volatility, regulatory shifts, and unexpected disruptions, ensuring strategic relevance.
Elevate talent as a boardroom priority by building the metrics and business case to position workforce planning as a key driver of competitive advantage
- Mustafa Jaffar - Global Head of Talent, Standard Chartered
- Zardasht Banay - VP - Organisational Development & Transformation, Galfar
In this interactive workshop, participants will explore the complexities of balancing long-term strategic goals with the urgent demands of daily operations in today's fast-paced work environment. Through hands-on activities, group discussions, and real-world scenarios, attendees will learn practical techniques to prioritise effectively, manage competing priorities, and maintain organisational momentum. This session is designed to equip HR professionals with the tools and strategies needed to navigate these challenges while fostering collaboration and innovation.
- Mohamed Zaher - Head of HC Strategy and Talent Management, Parkin
Legacy organisations often face challenges in maintaining innovation and avoiding stagnation. This session focuses on the role HR plays, in fostering a culture of creativity and adaptability to drive innovation. Participants will learn strategies to challenge traditional practices, encourage diverse perspectives, and implement forward-thinking initiatives that ensure sustained growth and relevance in a competitive landscape.
- Vidya Mudaliar - Head of HR and L&D, Pizza Express
With workforce burnout being at an all-time high, it impacts both personal well-being and professional performance. This session explores practical strategies to prevent burnout and sustain productivity, including effective stress management techniques and fostering a healthy work-life balance. Participants will gain insights into building resilience, prioritising self-care, and maintaining focus, enabling them to navigate challenges with confidence while preserving their overall well-being.
- Sarah Young - VP - Human Resources, InD
Mergers and acquisitions present unique challenges for HR that require careful navigation to ensure organisational success. This session delves into strategies for maintaining company culture, fostering employee engagement, and minimising disruption during periods of restructuring. Participants will learn how to address resistance to change, align diverse teams, and create a unified vision that supports long-term growth. The session also explores techniques for effective communication, building
Change is constant, and L&D plays a vital role in helping employees adapt and thrive during organisational transformations. This session explores how learning initiatives can build resilience, foster adaptability, and support employees through transitions. Discover strategies to align learning with change management, upskill teams, and create a culture of continuous growth. Learn how L&D can act as a change agent, turning challenges into opportunities and driving successful transformations.
- Walid Ajam - HR Director - People & Culture, Yum! Brands
- Uzma Chishti - Group Head of HR, Al Kabeer
- Wael Bakhaty - Senior HR Expert, Talent and Learning & Performance Leader
- Abdulrhman Alanzy - Talent Management Expert, Confidential Government
Creating tailored learning and development (L&D) programs is key to addressing the unique needs and aspirations of individual employees. This session delves into strategies for customising learning initiatives, such as leveraging tech-driven analytics to identify skill gaps, offering diverse learning formats like microlearning and hybrid models, and aligning training with both employee preferences and organisational goals. By fostering a culture of personalised development, equipping managers with tools to support employee growth, and integrating feedback mechanisms, organizations can enhance engagement, boost retention, and build a future-ready workforce.
- Pallavi Singh - Head of Talent Management, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone - Government of Ras Al Khaimah (RAKEZ)
L&D teams often face the challenge of delivering impactful learning experiences while working within tight budgets. This session focuses on innovative strategies to optimize resources, leverage cost-effective tools, and prioritise initiatives that drive the greatest value. Learn how to balance financial constraints with the need for high-quality learning solutions that align with organisational goals and employee development needs.
- Manojj Albert Jeyaraj - Group COE Learning & Leadership Development Head, Al Futtaim Group | Corporate – HR Function
Creating growth mindsets through education is vital for fostering continuous learning and adaptability in today's dynamic work environment. This session focuses on strategies to cultivate a culture of growth, including implementing challenge navigation sessions, offering tailored upskilling programs, and celebrating successes through recognition and reward initiatives. By encouraging proactive feedback, leveraging peer nominations to reduce bias, and integrating education into team-building activities, organisations can empower employees to embrace change and develop resilience.
- Rita Abi Saab - Senior Director - People & Culture, HR Expert
Evaluating the effectiveness of Learning and Development (L&D) programs requires a systematic approach to ensure measurable employee growth. Clear success metrics tailored to specific skills and competencies are essential. Advanced analytics help track progress, identify skill gaps, and measure ROI. Fostering a culture of continuous learning encourages personalised development through microlearning and mentoring. Aligning L&D outcomes with tangible objectives like productivity and retention enhances workforce capabilities. This ensures L&D programs drive innovation and create a competitive edge.
- Vineet Kumar - Senior Manager - HR, Al Rashed Food Company
Explore how HR can act as a bridge between departments like IT, finance, and marketing to drive success. This session delves into strategies for breaking down silos, fostering alignment across diverse teams, and creating a culture of collaboration. By positioning HR as a central enabler, organisations can ensure seamless communication, shared goals, and enhanced productivity across all functions.
- Hanan Ibrahim - Chief People and Culture Officer, Al Ahly For Real Estate Development
Harnessing AI-driven insights for strategic decision-making involves utilising advanced analytics to guide executive choices. This session focuses on how to leverage AI tools to analyse complex data, uncover actionable trends, and present insights that align with organisational objectives. By integrating AI analytics into decision-making processes, educating leaders on its capabilities, and fostering data-driven strategies, companies can enhance executive decision-making and drive impactful outcomes.
- Vladimir Vrzhovski - Head of HR Transformation, Wio Bank
Customising AI tools for organisational needs involves adapting platforms to meet specific business objectives and operational requirements. This session examines strategies for tailoring AI solutions, ensuring seamless integration with existing systems, and aligning functionalities with company goals. By collaborating with stakeholders, defining clear use cases, and leveraging customisation options, organisations can maximise the value of AI tools, enhance efficiency, and drive targeted outcomes.
- Ahmed Embaby - Chief People Officer, IMI
This session examines the pivotal role of artificial intelligence in empowering HR to drive impactful business outcomes. It highlights how AI can enhance HR's strategic capabilities by automating routine tasks, providing actionable insights, and enabling data-driven decision-making. By leveraging AI, HR can align workforce strategies with organisational goals, optimise talent management, and contribute to overall business success, positioning HR as a key driver of innovation and growth.
- Jagrity Singh - Chief Talent Officer, Smiths Group PLC
This session will support in shifting L&D designs from reactive to proactive, creating a strategic learning approach through:
Anticipating future skill gaps by harnessing predictive analytics to forecast future needs and identify emerging skills, enabling timely development initiatives.
Boosting the responsiveness of learning programs and utilising real-time learning dashboards to track key metrics as well as making data-driven L&D adjustments for continuous employee improvement.
Enhancing learner engagement and skill development by customising learning pathways through data-driven insights, adapting content and delivery methods to individual needs.
Ensuring compliance in AI implementation focuses on embedding robust data privacy and governance frameworks into AI systems. This session delves into strategies for integrating compliance measures, safeguarding sensitive information, and adhering to regulatory standards. By addressing challenges such as data security, ethical usage, and governance protocols, organisations can build trust, mitigate risks, and ensure AI systems operate within legal and ethical boundaries while aligning with organisational objectives.
- Mohammed Alahmed - Head of People & Culture, The OPEC Fund for International Development