Kuwait Finance House (KFH) Group has won 9 global awards in human resources for 2025 from the renowned Brandon Hall Group, a company specialized in the evaluation and performance assessment of banks, companies and institutions around the world.

This year, KFH Group has successfully bagged the highest number of accolades for the fourth consecutive year both locally and regionally. This milestone affirms the Group’s leadership in Human Resources and its sustainable success in applying the highest global standards and modern practices in attracting, managing, and developing human capital. This success also reflects the Group’s ability in utilizing capabilities, skills, and talents to deliver high-level productivity and results in a sustainable and professional manner aligned with its strategic objectives.

The 9 awards earned by KFH Group are:

• Best High Potential Development (Gold)
• Best New Hire Onboarding Program (Gold)
• Best Unique or Innovative Learning and Development Program (Gold)
• Best Talent Acquisition Process (Silver)
• Best Learning Experience Platform-LXP Implementation (Silver)
• Best Talent Management Strategy (Silver)
• Best Certification Program (Silver)
• Best Governance Model for Talent Management (Bronze)
• Best Certification Program (KFH – Egypt) (Gold)

This year’s edition marked the first participation of KFH-Egypt, which was crowned with winning a prestigious award. This accomplishment underscores the Group’s dedication to promoting excellence across various markets.

Brandon Hall’s assessment for the winning institutions was based on several criteria, most notably that the implemented programs meet the organization’s needs, are unique in terms of design, presentation, and results, and deliver substantial, measurable, in addition to sustainable benefits with a tangible positive impact across the organization.

On this occasion, KFH Acting Group Chief Human Resources and Transformation Officer, Ahmad Alhammad, stated: “These awards are a recognition of KFH Group’s efforts in managing its human capital, the most valuable and distinctive strength, and the cornerstone of the Group’s operations and activities worldwide.”

He added that the prestigious achievement reaffirms KFH’s leadership in applying best practices that align with the global standards in Human Resources, positively impacting employees’ overall performance, and consequently in the institution’s reputation, standing, and the quality of services it delivers to customers.

Alhammad further noted that winning the Brandon Hall awards, for the fourth consecutive year, across different categories of the most important Human Resources aspects, underlines the success of KFH Group’s vision in the optimal management of its human capital.

“This achievement reflects the Group’s advanced and comprehensive approach, starting from recruitment and talent acquisition, followed by qualification and training through innovative and unique programs in collaboration with leading international universities and professional training institutions,” he remarked.

“The Group’s approach extends to career development, youth empowerment, and leadership building, with a strong focus on employee loyalty, engagement, and recognition programs, while leveraging technology and data analytics to ensure high-quality and accurate performance as well as keeping pace with the rapid transformations in the banking industry,” added Alhammad.

Developing competencies

He explained that KFH has successfully designed and delivered a High-Potential Development program to build future leaders in line with its core values of partnership, leadership and accountability, while strengthening employee retention and leadership progression. It includes foundational training, and a core leadership curriculum which focuses on communication, emotional intelligence, negotiation and data analytics. KFH also delivered the Building Leadership Excellence program (BLE) which features an international experience at IE Business School in Madrid, alongside continuous development opportunities through institutions such as the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), and Kuwait Institute of Banking Studies (KIBS).

Learning and development

Alhammad highlighted KFH’s scholarship program, a fully funded initiative launched by KFH in 2014. The program allows employees to earn Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at accredited universities in Kuwait. “The program covers 100% of academic costs, including tuition and other academic-related expenses” commented Alhammad. “This initiative reflects KFH’s belief that investing in employees’ knowledge directly enhances the organization’s strength, innovation, and competitiveness.”

He stated that the program sponsored 79 employees since its inception, with 32 of them currently enrolled in academic programs. Also, of the 79 researchers, 27 employees moved into managerial positions. He went on to say that KFH is implementing an integrated plan to continuously train its employees and enhance their expertise, noting that the Forssah program which contributed to increasing professionalism at work and performance excellence.

Talent acquisition

Alhammad said that the Best Governance Model for Talent Management award recognizes KFH’s success in designing a rigorous mechanism to support people-related administrative decisions that account for each employee’s journey and achievements. He noted that KFH adopts a leading talent-management strategy and an employee retention program aimed at preserving high-potential junior talent through incentives that increase progressively with years of service.

He affirmed the Bank’s continuous strategy of attracting and developing human talents that can drive positive change and keep pace with growth. This is achieved by recruiting top-tier talents, particularly ambitious young Kuwaitis and providing them with specialized, world-class training and celebrating graduates, high achievers, outstanding capabilities, creative initiatives, and innovative ideas.

Onboarding of new hires

Speaking about onboarding new hires, Alhammad pointed out that, in parallel with the completion of the first-ever acquisition project in the banking sector, KFH succeeded in developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy to onboard new colleagues joining from the formerly AUB. He further noted that KFH is characterized by its distinctive work environment with strong internal communication and transparency. Additionally, the Bank spares no effort in providing the latest technologies to develop employees and maximize career growth opportunities. “Human capital at KFH is the cornerstone and the true asset behind its success and for maintaining the Group’s global leadership,” he noted.

Investing in training

Alhammad said that KFH has the best in-house Oracle-based Learning Experience Platform (LXP), which revolutionizes talent development through a personalized and engaging learning experience. The platform aligns with KFH’s organizational goals, supports employee growth, and empowers them to achieve their career aspirations while contributing to business success. LXP serves as a key enabler of a culture of continuous learning and innovation. He noted that KFH continues to promote this culture by fostering the employee-led approach through the innovative Oracle Fusion HCM Cloud system. The Bank also delivered a series of programs in collaboration with renowned institutions such as Headspring, IE University, Financial Times, INSEAD, and others.

Accredited programs and certifications

He also mentioned the Wealth Management Practitioner program as one of KFH’s flagship initiatives for business growth. Developed in collaboration with Moody’s, this specialized certification is designed exclusively for KFH’s Private Banking Department. This program equips professionals with advanced technical knowledge and behavioral skills, ensuring they are well-prepared to tackle both local and international markets and deliver exceptional value to high-net-worth clients.

Alhammad reaffirmed that KFH’s scholarship program for Kuwaiti employees provides full financial sponsorship and comprehensive career support for high-potential employees to complete their degrees, along with benefits that help them achieve work-life balance.