Burgan Bank Deepens Investment in Local Talent in 2025: 200 New Hires, 94.29% Kuwaitization Rate

Reinforcing its commitment to developing local talent and supporting Kuwait’s national workforce priorities, Burgan Bank announced the hiring of 200 new employees in 2025, with Kuwaitis representing 94.29% of all new joiners.

The announcement was marked by an internal recognition event held in the presence of the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tony Daher, Chief Executive Officer – Kuwait, Mr. Fadel Abdullah, and General Manager – Human Resources and Development, Mr. Naqeeb Aminn, alongside members of the Bank’s leadership and senior management. The event reflected Burgan Bank’s people-centric culture and its long-term investment in talent development, particularly in advancing national capabilities – especially as the first bank in kuwait to be certified a Great Place to Work®.

The hiring of 200 new employees forms part of Burgan Bank’s broader talent acquisition and development strategy, aimed at building a highly skilled, future-ready workforce capable of supporting the Bank’s long-term growth and evolving business needs. By prioritizing local talent, the Bank continues to play an active role in advancing national employment objectives and reinforcing workforce sustainability across Kuwait’s banking sector.

Commenting on the milestone, Mr. Abdulwahab Jamal Abdulraheem, Executive Manager – Talent Acquisition, said: “Building a strong bedrock of local talent is fundamental to Burgan Bank’s long-term success. Talent development for us is a strategic priority, not a short-term objective. Our focus remains on attracting, developing, and retaining professionals who will shape the future of the Bank and contribute meaningfully to the evolution of Kuwait’s financial sector.”

This recruitment milestone further underscores Burgan Bank’s position as an employer of choice in Kuwait’s banking sector, extending beyond recruitment to encompass a comprehensive human capital strategy. The Bank places strong emphasis on structured onboarding, continuous learning, leadership development, and clear career progression pathways designed to enhance employee engagement, nurture potential, and foster long-term professional growth.

Mr. Abdulwahab Abdulraheem added: “By providing our employees with clear development pathways and a culture that values learning and engagement, we are creating an environment where individuals can grow their careers while playing an active role in the Bank’s long-term success.”

The Bank’s flagship Ro’ya program plays a central role in this approach, preparing high-potential talent for leadership through structured development pathways supported by mentorship from senior executives. Program has undergone several enhancements since launching in 2020, culminating in its modern structure that features four streams: Future Leaders, Rising Leaders, Transformational Leaders, and Visionary Leaders – each tailored to align with talents’ length of experience, needs, and aspirations. In its latest edition, the 35 distinguished talents were enrolled either in the one-month Future Leaders program for fresh graduates, the six-month Rising Leaders program for employees with up to four years of experience, or the six-month Transformational Leaders modular program for managers and senior managers with up to 10 years of experience.

Complemented by specialized programs delivered in collaboration with leading institutions, Burgan Bank ensures its workforce remains equipped with the skills and capabilities required to support its strategic priorities and future growth.

As a testament to its efforts in this area, Burgan Bank has earned two consecutive Brandon Hall Group Human Capital Management (HCM) Awards of Excellence, along with the GCC Excellence Award in Recruitment and Development of Nationals from the Council of Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs in the GCC States Executive Bureau.

As part of its comprehensive talent acquisition and development strategy, Burgan Bank continues to play an active role in shaping early career pathways by leading and participating in major career fairs across Kuwait. The Bank engages with public and private universities through on-campus events and maintains its platinum sponsorship of Kuwait’s largest career fair, Watheefi, reinforcing its commitment to identifying and nurturing high-potential local talent at an early stage.

Concluding on the importance of these initiatives, Mr. Abdulwahab Abdulraheem said: “Maintaining a strong presence at career fairs allows us to engage directly with ambitious young professionals who are eager to learn, grow, and innovate. These platforms enable us to introduce emerging talent to the breadth of opportunities available within Kuwait’s dynamic banking and financial sector, while reinforcing Burgan Bank’s role as an employer of choice committed to long-term career development.”

This approach to human capital development also reflects Burgan Bank’s alignment with Kuwait Vision 2035 and the Bank’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) priorities, reinforcing a responsible approach to talent acquisition that supports workforce sustainability, economic growth, and the continued advancement of Kuwait’s banking sector.