Recognizing HR Excellence

HRM Awards 2026

The Most Credible HR Awards in the GCC Region

50+ Award Categories
20+ Countries
18 Years of Excellence

About HRM Summit Awards

The Middle East's premier platform for celebrating HR innovation and leadership achievements.

Selection Process

  • Entries are welcome from any team, individual, organization or projects in the Middle East.
  • A jury of industry professionals will select the finalists and winners.
  • Composition and size of the jury remains confidential in initial stages.
  • Short-listed finalists will be invited to present to the jury.
  • The decision of the jury is final, binding, and non-contestable.

Criteria

The Judges panel will be guided by various criteria to arrive at the award finalists. Each category will be evaluated against a different set of criteria. Detailed criteria for each category are listed in the Awards Brochure.

Download Awards Brochure →

How to Enter

  • Submit a separate entry form for each category selected.
  • Nominations can be for organizations, projects, or individuals.
  • Participants can compete in multiple award categories.
  • All supporting materials must be uploaded to our secure portal.

Entry Deadline

Receipt deadline: 30 September 2026.

Judging will follow, and winners will be announced at the Awards Gala Dinner in October 2026.

Apply Now

Award Process

Three simple steps to recognition and industry-wide acclaim

1

Submit Nomination

Complete the online nomination form with details about your achievements, initiatives, and measurable impact on the organization.

2

Jury Review

Our panel of esteemed industry experts evaluates each nomination based on innovation, impact, scalability, and measurable outcomes.

3

Awards Gala

Winners are announced at the prestigious Awards Gala during the HRM Summit, celebrating excellence in front of 3000+ HR leaders.

Meet the Jury

Distinguished HR leaders and industry experts who evaluate nominations with integrity and expertise

Ron Thomas

Ron Thomas

Managing Director

Strategy Focused Group

Sami Al Jamea

Sami Al Jamea

Technology Leader

National Bank of Bahrain

Peter Kelly

Peter Kelly

Deputy Head Group HR

National Bank of Kuwait

Adam Hickman

Adam Hickman

VP Org Development

Partners FCU (Disney)

Susana Correia

Susana Correia

Head of Search & Staffing

LinkedIn MENA

Hameed Ali

Hameed Ali

General Manager

Mercure Hotel Accor

Sarah Tabet

Sarah Tabet

Head of HR MEA

Siemens Energy

Kinsey Li

Kinsey Li

Advisory Board Member

UCL School of Management

Dr. Amit Singh

Dr. Amit Singh

CHRO

Care Hospitals

Petar Mihaylov

Petar Mihaylov

Director - Total Rewards

Comp & Ben Professional

Mohamed Atef

Mohamed Atef

Consultant & Facilitator

Al Khebrah Institute

Debbie Chatten

Debbie Chatten

Talent & Learning Leader

Industry Strategist

Samar Mallah

Samar Mallah

HR Director

Savills Middle East

Dr. Mahmoud Mansi

Dr. Mahmoud Mansi

HR Philosopher

Speaker & Author

Kanchan Ghoshal

Kanchan Ghoshal

Transformation Expert

HC Strategist

Mohamed Zaki

Mohamed Zaki

Group HR Director

Beyout Holding

Javeed Khan

Javeed Khan

Chief People Officer

TidyHire

Rehana Asani

Rehana Asani

Leadership Development

Emirates NBD Group

Rada Hrout

Rada Hrout

HR Consultant

Emirates NBD Group

Dr. Salima Hamouche

Dr. Salima Hamouche

AI & Wellbeing Expert

HR Thought Leader

Sara Boueri

Sara Boueri

CHRO

Board Member & Advisor

How Evaluation Works

  • All nominations undergo a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process by independent jury members
  • Submissions are scored on innovation, business impact, scalability, and sustainability of initiatives
  • Shortlisted candidates may be invited for a brief presentation or interview with the jury panel
  • Final winners are selected through consensus voting with strict confidentiality protocols

Ready to Showcase Your Excellence?

Nominations are now open for the 2026 HRM Awards. Submit your entry before the deadline.

Start Your Nomination

Award Categories

Recognizing excellence across every dimension of human resources

Organisation Awards

Excellence in DEI Award

Building diverse workplaces where every voice is valued and respected.

Best Employee Experience

Reimagining the end-to-end employee journey for maximum impact.

Best Engagement Activity

Creating vibrant workplace cultures that inspire and connect people.

Best Reward Strategies

Celebrating excellence through innovative and meaningful reward systems.

Best Retention Initiative

Proven strategies for keeping top talent engaged and committed to goals.

Best Graduate Development

Nurturing the next generation of industry leaders through excellence.

Social Media in Recruitment

Leveraging digital platforms to attract and engage world-class talent.

Best Internship Program

Transformative early-career experiences that build future capabilities.

Best Induction Program

Setting new hires up for success with world-class onboarding processes.

Employee Driven Change

Empowering employees to lead and implement organizational transformation.

Best RPO Business

Excellence in strategic recruitment process outsourcing partnerships.

Best L&D Initiative

Innovative programs driving continuous growth and capability building.

L&D Rising Star Award

Recognizing exceptional emerging talent in learning and development.

Learning Tech of the Year

Breakthrough technologies transforming the corporate learning landscape.

Excellence in Training

Setting the benchmark for high-impact corporate training programs.

Innovative Training Program

Creativity and effectiveness in modern training methodologies.

Professional Dev. Advocate

Organizations championing lifelong learning and employee career growth.

Safety & Compliance Training

Ensuring workplace safety through excellence in compliance education.

Tech-Enhanced Learning

Harnessing digital tools to deliver superior organizational learning outcomes.

Excellence in Skill Dev.

Future-proofing the workforce through strategic upskilling initiatives.

Innovation in Skill Dev.

Advancing skill development through research and experimentation.

HR Tech Solution of the Year

The most impactful and innovative HR technology platform of the year.

Best Wellness Program

Holistic initiatives supporting employee mental and physical health.

Best Flexible Working

Leading the way in hybrid work, remote, and flexible arrangements.

Best Workplace Design

Creating physical and digital spaces that foster productivity and well-being.

Best Newcomer - HR Tech

The most promising startup transforming the human capital tech space.

Wellness Service Provider

Excellence in delivering high-impact wellness solutions to organisations.

HR Team of the Year

Recognizing the high-performing team driving strategic HR success.

Social Media in HR

Strategic use of social platforms for effective HR and people communication.

Excellence in Acquisition

Innovative strategies for finding, engaging, and hiring world-class talent.

Leadership Dev. Program

Building the leaders of tomorrow through excellence in development.

Leadership Succession

Ensuring organizational continuity through robust talent pipeline planning.

Best Benefits Package

Competitive and innovative benefits that drive significant employee value.

Talent Management Award

Integrated strategies for nurturing, deploying, and retaining key talent.

HR Consultancy of the Year

Recognizing the most impactful strategic HR advisory partner in the region.

Sustainability in HR

Integrating environmental and social goals into human resource strategy.

HR Tech Startup of Year

Recognizing the next big disruptor transforming the HR industry.

AI-Driven HR Innovation

Pioneering the use of AI to solve complex and critical HR challenges.

AI in Talent Acquisition

Transforming recruitment through intelligent automation and AI tools.

AI-Powered L&D Strategy

Personalizing learning at scale using cutting-edge AI technologies.

AI in Employee Experience

Using AI to better understand and serve individual employee needs.

Best CSR Practices

Outstanding commitment to corporate social responsibility and ethics.

Community Impact

HR-led programs creating real, positive change in the wider community.

Employer of Choice

The ultimate recognition for organizational culture and excellence.

Individual Awards

Learning Leader of Year

Recognizing the visionary leader transforming organizational L&D.

Best Use of Tech

Individual excellence in leveraging HR technology for business impact.

HR Young Achiever

Exceptional impact from a high-potential HR professional under 30.

HR Thought Leader

Influencing the future of work through bold ideas and expert insight.

Champion of HR

An advocate driving the HR agenda at the highest organizational level.

People CEO of the Year

Business leaders putting people at the absolute heart of strategy.

HR Manager of the Year

Operational excellence and leadership in day-to-day HR management.

CHRO of the Year

The ultimate recognition for strategic and transformative HR leadership.

Start Your Nomination

Nominations close on 30 September 2026

Hall of Fame

Celebrating the organizations and individuals who have set the benchmark for HR excellence

DHL Global Forwarding
Sustainability in HR Award

DHL Global Forwarding

EDGE Business Services
HR Team of the Year

EDGE Business Services

Emdad by elm
Talent Management Award

Emdad by elm

Core-HR International
HR Thought Leader of the Year

Core-HR International

Roads and Transport Authority
Best Wellness Program Award

Roads and Transport Authority

BASREC
Best CSR Practices

BASREC

Accelera
Learning Leader of the Year

Accelera

Areen Hospitality
L&D Rising Star Award

Areen Hospitality

Bapco Energies
Best Employee Induction Program

Bapco Energies

Emdad by elm
HR Team of the Year

Emdad by elm

Khadeeja Alqattan
HR Young Achiever

Khadeeja Alqattan

British School of Bahrain
Employer of Choice

British School of Bahrain

Bapco Energies
Best Workplace Design

Bapco Energies

Emaar Hospitality
Best Learning & Development Initiative

Emaar Hospitality Group

DHL Global Forwarding
Best Graduate Development

DHL Global Forwarding

Emaar Hospitality
Best Wellness Program Award

Emaar Hospitality Group

General Assembly
Excellence in Training Award

General Assembly

Dawmt
Best HR Tech Solution of the Year

Dawmt for IT

Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo
Leadership Development Program

Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo

Saudi Aramco
Best Use of Social Media in HR

Saudi Aramco

Ministry of Industry
Best Employee Engagement Activity

Ministry of Industry

stc
Best Learning & Development Initiative

stc

Almarai
Excellence in Training Award

Almarai

Helios Towers
Champion of HR

Helios Towers

KFH
Best Employee-Driven Business Change

Kuwait Finance House

Gulf Hotels Group
Best Internship Program

Gulf Hotels Group

General Assembly
Innovative Training Program Award

General Assembly

Monshaat
Excellence in DEI Award

Monshaat

MIMR
Excellence in Talent Acquisition

Ministry of Industry

Monshaat
Leadership Development Program

Monshaat

NUPCO
Best Employee Experience Initiative

NUPCO

SAUDI AIRLINES
HR Manager of the Year

SAUDI AIRLINES

KKU
Best HR Tech Solution of the Year

King Khalid University

stc
Best Reward & Recognition Strategies

stc

ZATCA
Employer of Choice

ZATCA

stc
Best Use of Technology

stc

BHSS
Community Impact Award

Bahrain Health and Safety Society

Ministry of Finance
Learning Tech of the Year

Ministry of Finance

Emaar Hospitality Group Bahrain
Best Learning and Development Initiative

Emaar Hospitality Group Bahrain

The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain
Best Employee Engagement Activity

The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain

Bapco Energies
Technology-Enhanced Learning Award

Bapco Energies

Bapco Energies
Best CSR Practices

Bapco Energies

Bapco Energies
HR Team of the Year

Bapco Energies

stc Bahrain
Best Recruitment Process Outsourcing Business

stc Bahrain

stc group
Excellence in Talent Acquisition

stc group

Middle East College
Best Graduate Development

Middle East College

Shell
Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award

Shell

RemoteApps
Best HR Tech Solution of the Year

RemoteApps

UltraTech Cement
Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award

UltraTech Cement

Ebrahim K. Kanoo
Best Graduate Development

Ebrahim K. Kanoo

Choitrams - MegaMart
Talent Management Award

Choitrams - MegaMart

British School of Bahrain
Best Employee Experience Initiative

British School of Bahrain

stc group
Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award

stc group

Dr. Abdullatif Buallay
CHRO of the Year

Dr. Abdullatif Buallay - Channels

Schindler Group
Best Learning and Development Initiative

Schindler Group - MENA

Alzayani Investments
Best Reward and Recognition Strategies

Alzayani Investments

Khalid Al Marzooqi
People-focused CEO of the Year

Khalid Al Marzooqi - Tabreed

Abdulaziz Alarabi
HR Young Achiever

Abdulaziz Alarabi - Beyon

Emaar Hospitality Group Bahrain
Best Wellness Program Award

Emaar Hospitality Group Bahrain

General Assembly Bahrain
Excellence in Skill Development

General Assembly Bahrain

Gulf Petrochemical Industries
Excellence in Talent Acquisition

Gulf Petrochemical Industries

Asma AlZekri
HR Manager of the Year

Asma AlZekri - Mazad

Zain Bahrain
Sustainability in HR Award

Zain Bahrain

SASREF
Best Reward and Recognition Strategies

Saudi Aramco Jubail Refinery Company (SASREF)

stc group
Best Use of Technology

stc group

Vision Industries
Best Employee Experience Initiative

Vision Industries

Salam
Best CSR Practices

Integrated Telecom Company (Salam)

EXPRO
Best Learning and Development Initiative

Government Expenditure & Projects Efficiency Authority

SAUDIA ACADEMY
Excellence in Training Award

SAUDIA ACADEMY

Ministry of Industry
CHRO of the Year - Adel Al Ghamdi

Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources

SASREF
Safety and Compliance Training Award

Saudi Aramco Jubail Refinery Company (SASREF)

Modon
Leadership Development Program of the Year

Modon

SAUDIA ACADEMY
Great Workplace Club Award

SAUDIA ACADEMY

stc group
Employer of Choice

stc group

DHL Global Forwarding MEA
Best CSR Practices - AE

DHL Global Forwarding MEA

GPIC
Best CSR Practices - BH

Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company

Emaar Hospitality Group Bahrain
Best Employee Engagement Activity - BH

Emaar Hospitality Group Bahrain

Bapco Refining
Best Employee Experience Initiative - BH

Bapco Refining

Floward
Best Employee Experience Initiative - SA

Floward

BAE Systems
Best Graduate Development - SA

BAE Systems Saudi Development and Training Ltd

Gulf Hotels Group
Best Graduate Development - BH

Gulf Hotels Group

Menaitech
Best HR Tech Solution of the Year - JO

Menaitech

British School of Bahrain
Best Recruitment Process - BH

British School of Bahrain

Floward
Best Reward & Recognition Strategies - SA

Floward

Foulath Holding
Best Reward & Recognition Strategies - BH

Foulath Holding

Bapco Refining
Best Training, Learning & Development - BH

Bapco Refining

Gulf Bank of Kuwait
Best Training, Learning & Development - KW

Gulf Bank of Kuwait

Ministry of Industry
Best Training, Learning & Development - SA

Ministry of Industry and Minerals

ADNIC
Best Use of Technology - AE

Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company PJSC

Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo
Best Use of Technology - BH

Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo

ADNIC
Best Wellness Program Award - AE

Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company PJSC

The Benefit Company
Best Wellness Program Award - BH

The Benefit Company

Zain Bahrain
Best Wellness Program Award - BH

Zain Bahrain B.S.C.

Dr. Abdullatif Buallay
CHRO of the Year - BH

Dr. Abdullatif Buallay

Sultan Alhassni
CHRO of the Year - SA

Sultan Alhassni - Public Investment Fund KSA

GPIC
Employer of Choice - BH

Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company

Omantel
Employer of Choice - OM

Omantel

stc group
Employer of Choice - SA

stc group

ASRY
Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award - BH

Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard

Gulf Bank
Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award - KW

Gulf Bank of Kuwait

stc group
Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award - SA

stc group

Choithrams
Great Workplace Club Award - AE

Choithrams Group

Dheya Alshaebani
HR Manager of the Year - Group of Companies - BH

Dheya Mohamed Alshaebani

Hanan Al Ali
HR Manager of the Year - BH

Hanan Al Ali

Fatima Noor
HR Manager of the Year - QA

Fatima Noor

Reem Alobodi
HR Young Achiever - SA

Reem Alobodi - Council of Health Insurance, KSA

Muneera Al Jaber
HR Young Achiever - BH

Muneera Al Jaber

Dr. John Mathew
Learning Leader of the Year - BH

Dr. John Mathew

Dr. La'ale Al Aali
Special Recognition Award for Contribution to HR Practices in the Education Sector - BH

Dr. La'ale Al Aali

Be Recognized for Your Excellence

Submit your nomination today and join the ranks of GCC's most celebrated HR leaders and organizations


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