United Arab Bank Launches ‘Reyadah' Program to Support Industry-leading Emiratisation Efforts

UAB targeting Emiratis to comprise 25% of most senior 50 employees by 2020; Bank has highest Emiratisation ratio in financial sector at 44%

Sharjah, UAE (November 1, 2014) – United Arab Bank (‘UAB'), the fastest growing bank in the Middle East, is implementing a number of new HR initiatives to step up support for its industry-leading Emiratisation efforts – including launching a training and career development program called “Reyadah.”

The Reyadah program will focus on developing the bank's future leaders with a target of Emiratis comprising 25% of UAB's most senior 50 employees by 2020. The objective of the program is to assess, identify and develop UAE Nationals that exhibit outstanding talent, and provide them the opportunities they need to meet their aspirations and thrive at the highest levels.

UAB's Emiratisation ratio currently stands at 44% – the highest in the financial sector –after implementing a multiplicity of recent initiatives to encourage Emirati employees. The bank continues to attract, retain and continuously advance the skills of local talent to support its rapid business growth – operating income soared almost 36 per cent over the course of 2013. As mandated by the Central Bank, UAB is required to grow its UAE national headcount by 4% each year.

The Reyadah program has welcomed 50 promising UAE nationals for further assessment and training, to help create a highly competent and skilled Emirati talent pool able to propel UAB's growth into the future and guide the bank's efforts to meet its wider targets –including its commitment to ensure the sustainability of the UAE's economy.

Paul Trowbridge, Chief Executive Officer at UAB said: “At UAB, the recruitment of UAE Nationals is only the start of our Emiratisation strategy. We offer our employees a multitude of rigorous training and career development programs to help improve their skills – ultimately, with the aim of creating tomorrow's visionaries. With initiatives such as the Reyadah, we aspire to create a leadership pipeline of Emirati talent equipped to lead UAB in the near future.”

The training program aims to broaden the participation of Emiratis within UAB, with exposure to more specialized areas of the Bank – such as Risk, Finance, Operations and Treasury. It will include leadership training with follow- up workshops, technical training by an overseas consultant and on-job-training in all areas of banking.

Among UAB's current Emiratisation initiatives is an employee recognition scheme – the UAB Employee Awards – alongside a Chairman's Award granted to the Emirati employee of the year. For career development, there is the ongoing Al Tamayouz programme, which focuses on the training and education of UAE nationals and provides opportunities for advancement.

In 2013, UAB maintained a 100% Emiratisation record of the Branch Manager position. In addition, many of the bank's most senior positions are already occupied by UAE nationals: among others, an Executive Vice President, SVP of Corporate Banking (in Sharjah & Northern Emirates), SVP of  Retail Branch Management and SVP  of Products, Propositions & Alternative Channels.