Finalists revealed for the 2024 Middle East People Awards

The CIPD has revealed the finalists for the 2024 Middle East People Awards after receiving a record number of entries from people teams from Bahrain, UAE, KSA, Qatar, Oman, Turkey and Kuwait.

It’s great to see so many employers across the Middle East keen to celebrate the impact and professionalism of their people teams.  With nearly double the number of entries this year, competition was tough - all our finalists should be really proud.

Now in its sixth year, the awards celebrate individuals, teams and organisations for their outstanding achievements in people management and development – providing a perfect opportunity to take stock of the Middle East region’s commitment towards professionalising the HR function.   This year’s entries came from a wide range of sectors including aviation, banking, energy and power, FMCG, healthcare and government entities. 
 
This year, we challenged entrants to nominate bold and innovative initiatives – with a focus on measurable results, impact and alignment with the overall business strategy. Across all of the categories, entrants are tasked with showcasing how their work is principles-led, evidence-based, outcomes-driven. It’s a rewarding way for teams to benchmark their HR, L&D and OD initiatives against the CIPD Profession Map - the international standard for the people profession. 

Meet the finalists

A panel of 28 independent judges – comprised of HR professionals and CIPD experts – scrutinised more than 200 entries to identify a shortlist for each of the 12 award categories.  

People Team of the Year 

• Red Sea Global 

• Qatar Shell 

• stc group 

• Gulf International Bank 

• Galadari Brothers 

  

Most Impactful Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Initiative 

• Abu Dhabi police 

• Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group 

• Bupa Arabia 

• Saudi Aramco 

• GHD Global Pty Ltd 

  

Best Learning and Development Initiative 

• DAMAC Academy 

• stc group | Hipo 

• Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority | The Itqan "Mystery" On-Job Customs Training initiative 

• ACWA Power 

• Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority 

  

Best Talent Management Strategy 

• Bupa Arabia 

• Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon) 

• Riyadh Airports Company 

• Dubai Courts 

• Saudi Arabian Bechtel Co. (SABCO) 

  

Best Digital Innovation / AI Initiative in HR 

• stc group 

• Federal Authority for Government Human Resources 

• pladis Global 

• Dubai Police 

• Emirates Health Services 

  

Best Nationalisation Initiative 

• Bupa Arabia 

• Abu Dhabi police 

• Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority 

• General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai 

• Landmark Arabia 

  

Rising Star of the People Profession 

• Othman Sembawa, Gulf International Bank 

• Abdulrahman Alalsheikh, stc Group 

• Mohamed Adil Abdalla Eisa Al-Ali, UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) 

• Moza Juma Ahli, Dubai Police 

• Zahra Hassan Mohammad Hussain Alblooshi, National Bank of Fujairah 

  

Best Employee Engagement Initiative 

• Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon) 

• Riyadh Airports Company 

• Savola Group 

• Bahri 

• Bupa Arabia 

• SPL | Saudi Post 

  

Employer of the Year 

• International Maritime Industries 

• Bupa Arabia 

• Savola Group 

• Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon) 

• Tamkeen 

  

Outstanding CIPD Student of the Year 

• Makayla Khan 

• Fatema Mahmoud Ali Hussain Al Hussaini 

• Saffana Felemban 

• Daniel Ivanko 

• Arushi Pande 

  

Best Change Management Initiative 

• General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai 

• ADNOC 

• ACWA Power 

• Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority | Human Capital Roadshow Initiative 

• Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority | Improve Employee Data Management Initiative 

  

Best Wellbeing Programme 

• Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority 

• Hamad Medical Corporation 

• Tamkeen 

• Abu Dhabi police 

• Etihad Airways 

Meet our sponsors

A special thank you to our four sponsors, for their support in helping us to celebrate the best of the people profession in the Middle East:  

• Taaeen Consulting & Talent Development – prestigious sponsor
• Oakwood International – platinum sponsor
• PwC’s Academy – gold sponsor
• ICS Learn Group – bronze sponsor 
• Talent Oasis – bronze sponsor 
• The University of Manchester Middle East Centre – bronze sponsor 

 

Celebrate with us on 5 December 

Winners will be announced on 5 December at a gala dinner with CIPD chief executive, Peter Cheese, taking place at The Ritz Carlton Hotel JBR, Dubai.