Integrated people strategies drive success at record-breaking CIPD Middle East People Awards
Teams from Abu Dhabi Customs, Bupa Arabia and Boubyan Bank among those recognised for their transformative work
Teams from Abu Dhabi Customs, Bupa Arabia and Boubyan Bank among those recognised for their transformative work
The CIPD proudly revealed the winners of the Middle East People Awards 2025 at a gala dinner in Dubai on 11 December. More than 250 guests joined CIPD Chief Executive Peter Cheese to celebrate the outstanding contributions of people professionals across the region.
This year also marked record participation in the awards, reflecting the profession’s growing influence and ambition across the Middle East.
Winners and highly commended entries came from right across the public and private sectors, representing critical industries such as government and energy, telecommunications, banking, shipping, healthcare and luxury retail. They also spanned the region, with strong representation from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and beyond.
The breadth of these achievements shows the transformative role people professionals are playing in shaping sustainable, forward-looking organisations and advancing national workforce goals. They’re also proving how good people practice is becoming a real driver of performance and productivity.
“The awards show that lasting, people-centred change comes from integrating efforts, measuring progress and maintaining visible leadership.”
Although the 2025 winners cover sectors, industries and countries, they share a common ethos: when the people profession works in a connected and intentional way, it can have a huge influence on performance and productivity. These organisations showed that people initiatives deliver far greater impact on employee experience and business results when they’re aligned and built into how work actually happens.
Rather than running isolated projects, these organisations brought digital change, culture, inclusion, learning and wellbeing together to achieve clear people objectives. With senior leaders visibly involved and people priorities embedded in everyday policies, processes and measures, these organisations are improving employee experience and creating the conditions for long-term success.
Boubyan Bank was recognised for its outstanding employee engagement programme, which combined technology with human connection. Designed and delivered completely in-house, the comprehensive and authentic initiative brought clarity and a strong shared purpose across the organisation. This led to a more engaged, aligned and productive workforce. Bupa Arabia also showed how connected people initiatives drive growth by embedding diversity, equity and inclusion within its strategy.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Customs scooped four awards: Employer of the Year, Best Talent Management Strategy, Best Digital Innovation or AI Programme in HR/L&D and Best Learning and Development Strategy – public sector. Across every category, the judges saw how the people team’s alignment with business goals and its consistent, people-first philosophy has strengthened capability, accelerated digital transformation and supported high performance.
“The judges looked for clear metrics, scalable design and proof of lasting change – spotlighting programmes that turn people-focused ambition into real, measurable business impact.”
Winner: Bupa Arabia
Highly commended: Saudi Aramco
Winner: Abu Dhabi Customs
Highly commended: Dubai Airports
Winner: The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri)
Highly commended: The National Insurance Company Daman
Winner: Abu Dhabi Customs
Highly commended: Ooredoo Group
Winner: Abu Dhabi Customs
Highly commended: Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (Du)
Winner: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)
Highly commended: Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (Du)
Winner: Boubyan Bank
Highly commended: Ooredoo Group
Winner: Seddiqi Holding
Highly commended: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)
Winner: Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (Du)
Highly commended: Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority
Winner: The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Saudi Arabia
Highly commended: Aster DM Healthcare
Winner: Abu Dhabi Customs
Highly commended: Boubyan Bank
Winner: Nujood El Malik
Highly commended: Lydia Fady
Winner: Hasna Ashraf
Highly commended: Najla Nishad
“Across the awards, we saw how organisations are benefiting from accountable leadership, consistent cultures and a more intentional focus on the future.”
We’d like to thank our four sponsors for their invaluable support in celebrating excellence in the people profession across the Middle East:
Sign up for updates on the 2026 Middle East People Awards to:
Interested in joining next year’s judging panel or becoming a sponsor? We’d love to hear from you.
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