A 2023 Middle East HR Icon, Al Ghurair Investment Has Been Named

Al Ghurair Investment, one of the largest diversified family business groups in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is putting culture and our people at the heart of transformation, and accelerating its way to become a top regional employer. The Group announced Debra Teles, Chief People and Culture Officer, Al Ghurair Investment has been recognised by the Economic Times (ET) for her contribution in the field of HR, awarding her the ‘2023 HR Icon Award’ for one of the ‘Most Influential HR Leaders in the Middle East’.

The award further showcases Al Ghurair Investment’s dedication to transforming the world of work, building upon its recent recognition as a Top Employer in the UAE for 2023 by the Top Employers Institute. Throughout its cultural transformation journey, the Group has continued to invest significantly in its people through learning and development initiatives to empower people across all levels, reaffirming a steady and passionate commitment to people experience.

Commenting on the award, Debra Teles, Chief People and Culture, Al Ghurair Investment, said: “I am honoured to be recognised as an HR Icon and influential leader in the Middle East. At Al Ghurair Investment, our Purpose is intrinsic, shaping all we do, who we are and how we act – enhancing life for all, beginning and ending with our people. We recognise that culture is built, not bought and that ultimately, our people are the architects of our culture.”

Since beginning the Group-wide transformation journey two years ago, Al Ghurair Investment has continued to draw on the legacy values of the founding family and looking to the future through launching its ‘Fit For Future’ model and incorporated it into the organisation’s ‘Employee Value Proposition’ and talent strategy to engage and empower people along their career pathways. The programme, aligned with the Group’s commitment to supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 8), has focused on building a corporate culture that aligns with evolving ‘future work’ models.

Debra added: “As the ‘World of Work’ continues to evolve, at Al Ghurair our philosophy is people-centric: we shall continue to invest in the wellness, happiness and development of our people, with a deliberate and demonstratable commitment to enhancing life for our people.”