Date: Tuesday 14th May 2024
Venue: Palazzo Versace Hotel, Dubai
Address: Al Jaddaf – Jaddaf Waterfront – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Event Programme


Jacob Alahan
CEO, Corporate Event Solutions

Georgette Moussallem
Founder & CEO of G World Consultancy
Panel Moderator

Paul Littlejohn
Former Fighter Pilot & Consultant Wingman Executive
Panellists

Rikhsibay Tursunov
International Author

Dinesh Chaudhari
Head of HR and Talent at Palazzo Versace Duba

Pushpendu Roy
Head Rewards, Workforce Planning and Shared Services Aster DM

Allan Brown
Chief operations & People Officer j. awan & partners / azakaw

Reimagining the future of L&D for senior leaders
John Kallelil – XED
Abstract: In an ever-evolving world, the role of L&D has become paramount in driving organizational excellence. Together, we will explore innovative strategies, disruptive technologies, and cutting-edge methodologies that will empower our senior leaders to lead with agility, resilience, and adaptability.
Let us seize this opportunity to unlock the full potential of our workforce, unleash creativity, and pave the way for a future where continuous learning is the cornerstone of sustainable success.
Bio: John Kallelil, CEO, XED understands that we live in a complex world, full of paradoxes and contradictions. In a world marred by information overload and digital overkill, clarity becomes power. It is with this intent that he founded XED in 2015 to enable individuals and organizations to lead with clarity, order, and purpose. Armed with this vision and two decades’ worth of expertise in the Banking and EdTech industries, he launched XED to empower leaders who aspire to drive change and create a positive impact.

Building a High-Performance Culture: Trends & Challenges for HR Leaders in the UAE
Thomas Lee
Lead Account Executive, Culture Amp

Mohamed Seghir
CEO of HAYAH Insurance
Abstract: We will discuss the impacts of the reforms on pensions, the positive implications of corporate tax reform on pension schemes in the UAE through tax optimization, the significance of pension schemes in retention strategies for HR and supporting employees in their financial planning amidst demographic changes in the UAE and GCC.
Bio: Mr. Mohamed Seghir was appointed the CEO of HAYAH Insurance Company P.J.S.C. previously known as AXA Green Crescent, in April 2018.
He started his career in 2007 as an Actuary at FWU AG in Munich, where he was responsible for Western Europe and the Middle East. He then took up the role of Manager Actuarial Services for Munich Re before joining Swiss Re in Zurich in 2013, initially as a Senior Marketing Actuary in charge of pricing of the life & health business in MENA, Turkey and Pakistan before becoming the Head of North Africa and Middle East.
Mohamed is a regular contributor to seminars, conferences and publications for the insurance industry. Passionate about insurance, Mohamed has developed a deep expertise on various topics such as bancassurance, life insurance, takaful, and pension. He studied at ISFA (Institut des Sciences Financières et des Assurances) and holds a MSc in Finance and Actuarial Sciences and a BSc in Finance from Université Claude Bernard (Lyon, France), and is a fully qualified actuary from the French (IA) and Swiss (SAV) Institutes of Actuaries.

Interactive workshop where we will explore the group understanding of Leadership through the Lego Serious Play methodology.
Marita Harrold
As a delegate you will be asked to build an individual Lego model to include the characteristics, skills, qualities, and/or competencies you feel are required to be an effective leader responding creatively and effectively to the unique challenges of our time.
This exercise will be debriefed against selected leadership models.
Your takeaway
- Understanding what your colleagues view as critical to successful leadership
- 3 key areas your group understand as most important respond creatively and effectively to the unique challenges of our time.

AI sourcing to hire top talent
Daniel Charles
HireQuotient
How top F500 companies are leveraging technologies to win the tough & competitive talent market in the Middle East.

The Balancing Act: Technology Vs Humanity
Marianne Albalkhi
Director, People & Culture, ACCOR – Ennismore

Why does your organization need Gamification to learn and re-learn?
Anuj Sharma
Gameapp
Panel Moderator

Avtar Gill
Chief Host Engagement(HR) Officer at Soneva Group
Panellists

Oana Mihaela Ancuta
Regional HRBP MEA Rohde & Schwarz

Debbie Simister
VP Talent Management & Learning IMEAT Acco

Reema Akhtar
Head of HR, Seer Solutions

Alia Hassan
Group Talent Engagement & Development Manager Das Holding
The Missing Puzzle in the organization learning and development EQ and Mental wellbeing.
Abstract: Many organisations underestimate the importance of EQ and employee’s mental wellbeing. In this presentation I will share how critical it is to invest and educate our employees capability in emotional intelligence and manage their mental wellbeing. Lacking in these areas consistently effecting the failures in many organisation processes from recruitment, onboarding, engagement, leadership, and performances. Solving this puzzle will bring a significant impact in your organisation success and development.
The crucial role of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and mental well-being in today’s workplace. Discover why investing in and educating your employees in EQ is not just beneficial, but essential.
Organizations often overlook the impact of EQ and mental wellbeing on various processes, from recruitment to performance. we’ll explore how deficiencies in EQ can hinder success in areas such as recruitment, onboarding, engagement, leadership, and overall performance.
By addressing this crucial aspect, we can solve the puzzle that leads to organizational failures and pave the way for significant impacts on your organization’s success and development.
Bio: “Alia is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of extensive experience in HR, Learning & Development, and Emiratisation. She specializes in crafting impactful L&D strategies, fostering personal development, providing behavioral coaching utilizing EQ and Enneagram methodologies, talent management, and expertly identifying top talent in recruitment. In addition to her bachelor’s degree in finance, Alia holds certifications in CIPD level 5 in HR, EQ & Enneagram coaching, Certified Performance Management Professional (CPMP), and an HR City & Guild Diploma (UK).

From Cockpit to Conference Room: Reinventing Leadership for Modern Business
Paul Littlejohn
Former Fighter Pilot & CEO of Wingman Executive Consulting
Abstract: In this keynote, Paul recounts his unique journey from fighter pilot and Squadron Leader in the RAF to operations executive in multinational corporations, drawing parallels and lessons on the transferability of leadership skills across vastly different environments. He explores how military principles of servant leadership, clarity of purpose, continual improvement and adaptability can effectively transform corporate strategies and leadership approaches. By sharing his personal experiences and the lessons learned from both worlds, Paul provides practical strategies for fostering leadership excellence and enhancing team performance in any professional setting. This talk is a deep diveinto the art of leadership, demonstrating how skills honed in the skies can be just as effective in the boardroom.
Bio: Paul Littlejohn is the founder of Wingman Executive and a seasoned leader whose remarkable career spans from RAF fighter pilot and squadron leader to executive roles at Emirates Group and Meeting Point International. Over his 30-year career, Paul has developed profound expertise in strategic leadership, operational excellence, and high-stakes decision-making.
His people-centric approach has transformed leadership cultures across diverse industries, dramatically enhancing business performance and employee engagement. By effectively empowering and developing teams, Paul has helped businesses slash customer complaints, boost productivity, and increase profits. As a sought-after consultant and mentor, Paul teaches leaders how to apply these proven strategies, optimizing talent management, leadership development, and organizational transformation to achieve their full business potential.

Vishal Bhosale
Head of Human Resources, Green Planet Industries
In today’s dynamic work environment, organizations need to prioritize employee health and wellbeing along with business objectives. Employee engagement also plays an important role in organizational success. Engaged employees are more likely to demonstrate commitment, creativity, and collaboration, thereby driving innovation and productivity in the workplace. In this session, we will discuss the various employee engagement initiatives undertaken by us to create an engaged workforce and how we were able to navigate the challenging times of the COVID pandemic by taking care of employees’ health and wellbeing, which resulted in marvellous business outcomes.
Prize Draw:
1. Apple Ipad
2. Apple Watch
3. Apple Airpod
