Company: Gulf Bank, Kuwait
Company Description: Gulf Bank, Kuwait, was established in 1961. The Bank's businesses are Retail, Corporate and International Banking, Treasury and Investment Management. Gulf Bank has enjoyed numerous favorable ratings and upgrades throughout its history. In 2005, Gulf Bank was recognized as the 'Best Retail Bank in the Middle East'.
Nomination Category: Team Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Human Resources Team

Nomination Title: Gulf Bank's Human Resources Team

   1. Tell the story about what this nominated team achieved in the past year (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

Serving as a 'strategic business partner', the HR team doubled in 2005 to support the bank's growth and ensure delivery of HR's role and functions. With stiff market competition and the opening of foreign banks in Kuwait, HR had to revamp its functions, re-align its practices, and focus on delivering their promise of developing a high performance organization. HR launched numerous initiatives in 2005, several of which the Team pioneered and are currently benchmarked against in the local market:

'HR launched an aggressive recruitment plan, exceeding the challenge of the required 50% employment level of nationals employed in the Kuwaiti private sector by 2007.  Gulf Bank was the first to be recognized by the GCC Council of Ministers of Social Affairs and Labour for its achievement. 
'HR kept its promise of delivering word-class training and development, totaling 2,343 participants for 2005, and each receiving an unparalleled average of 11 training days. 
'Challenges imposed by BASEL II were addressed by providing a comprehensive,
customized training program to the Project Team and holding senior management overviews. 
'To gain instant professional credibility, ensuring that our employees stand head and shoulders above the competition, two bank-wide certification programs were launched:  the Management Development/Education Program for all line managers and the American Bankers Association Certificate Program to all employees.
'Upgrading the standards of the Bank and providing career development opportunities, three specialized certification programs in management for Credit, Investment and Branch Management were also implemented.
'HR's commitment to improving service standards, focused on individual and
branch development needs, was addressed through the Service Quality Monitoring
and Coaching for all the branches.
'HR also provided 17 in-house, 3-months, Induction banking programs consisting of classroom, technical and on-the-job training for over 300 new hires. 
'HR also focused on investing in Kuwait's youth and developing talent through visionary initiatives such as pioneering an MBA targeted Leadership Development Program for Kuwait's banking sector.
'Launched the Personal Development Program for the branches, promoting individual involvement, accountability and self-development through initiatives such as E-learning.
'Two new Performance Reviews were successfully rolled out.
'Revised policies and guidelines for merit increases, promotions and interview
assessments.
'Allowed employees to participate in formalizing the Bank's culture/values through focus groups, development of Innovation Team, and senior management interviews and surveys.  'Increased employee involvement by organizing fully-sponsored, work and social events for employees and their families and offering subsidized recreational activities.
'Recognized over 300 employees for their performance and achievements
'Sponsored employee sporting teams and the employee Tsunami Relief Effort

In addition to Gulf Bank being recognized as the 'Best Retail Bank in the Middle East' for 2005, HR's efforts paid off with the employee survey reporting an increase in satisfaction rate across the bank. All 40 members of the HR Team are proud of their efforts and feel that we are deserving of a Stevie Award! 

   2. List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: Begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, http://www.youraddress.com:

http://www.gulfbank.com.kw/news/newsdetl.asp?newsid=137
http://www.gulfbank.com.kw/news/newsdetl.asp?newsid=134
http://www.gulfbank.com.kw/news/newsdetl.asp?newsid=127
http://www.gulfbank.com.kw/news/newsdetl.asp?newsid=109
http://www.gulfbank.com.kw/news/newsdetl.asp?newsid=103
http://www.gulfbank.com.kw/news/newsdetl.asp?newsid=99
http://www.gulfbank.com.kw/news/newsdetl.asp?newsid=86
http://www.e-gulfbank.com/pacs/gbnom.zip

   3. Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the leader(s) of this nominated team:

Mr. Surour Alsamerai, General Manager of Human Resources, has over 35 years of
extensive HR experience in the oil, consumer, retail and banking sectors in Kuwait. Surour started his career in personnel administration and development, progressing to becoming one of the leading HR figures in Kuwait with a strong focus on developing fully-fledged HRD functions.  Surour was responsible for forming HR's strategic partnership at Gulf Bank and in activating change through the various HR initiatives.  Surour has a background in Psychology from University of Houston and holds a Diploma in Personnel Management from Slough College, UK.