The third edition of the Financial Academy Forum concluded on Wednesday after featuring a series of panel discussions with top decision-makers from the public and private sectors, including senior government officials, corporate CEOs, and leading researchers, establishing the forum as a platform for dialogue and exchanging ideas between participants from the Kingdom, global financial institutions, and specialized centers.
The forum, held under the theme ‘Sustainable Talent Growth,’ hosted more than 15 expert speakers from the financial sector and gathered over 3,000 participants, along with 16 strategic partners and leading institutions, reflecting the strength of collaboration among different stakeholders to promote growth and prosperity in the financial sector.
The first session explored thriving through rapid changes and building a culture of continuous learning. Participants discussed strategies for adopting a culture of lifelong learning, utilizing technology to enhance the learning experience, the rol
e of innovation in boosting organizations’ competitive capabilities, and integrating learning into organizational goals and human resources.
SAB Invest CEO and Managing Director Ali Almansour emphasized the increasing studies measuring the impact of continuous learning and the importance of using technology in the financial sector. He noted that companies using new technological advancements outperform their counterparts by up to 20 percent. He also stressed that true productivity lies in investing in skills and developing employees to keep pace with the rapid global changes in the financial sector.
MEDGULF CEO Umar AlMahmoud explained that the insurance market is experiencing a significant phase, having become part of the technology era. He affirmed that companies resisting technology will see limited profits compared to those investing in employee education, highlighting that Saudi government sectors have become digital. He also pointed out the need to leverage the digital future to bridge financial secto
r gaps, praising the experience of Saudi banks in this regard.
London Business School Dean François Ortalo commended the progress being made by financial institutions in Saudi Arabia, noting that Vision 2030 focuses on the future and will yield results in the coming years.
Jadwa Investment CEO and Managing Director Tariq Al-Sudairy shared his vision for addressing challenges hindering the advancement of workers in the financial sector. He emphasized the importance of tackling these challenges through training supported by budgets and plans focusing on every employee, ensuring that developmental processes become essential to the organization’s annual indicators.
In the second session, speakers addressed several key points, including leveraging AI-supported solutions to enhance employee experiences, improve work environments, and increase productivity. They also discussed the best AI technologies for improving training and development outcomes and the use of analytical AI to measure impacts on the workplace.
May Al-Hoshan, head of Human Resources at the Saudi French Bank, highlighted the importance of learning virtual reality and electronic requirements, arguing that these technologies open vast horizons. She said that results of AI today provide only a glimpse of what will unfold in the coming years, stressing the need for flexibility in adapting to changes and replacing jobs that do not align with the future landscape in line with the evolving requirements of AI.
Bader AlOtaibi, head of Human Resources Group at the Arab National Bank, explained that AI plays an active role in decision-making, enhances customer experiences, and automates many services. He stressed the need to leverage AI to boost productivity and introduce innovation in financial systems.
Hasan Hamad, head of Human Resources Group at the Saudi National Commercial Bank, noted that one of the main sources of inspiration is the desire to make a difference. He emphasized the need for equipping employees with the best qualifications, enhancing thei
r skills, and motivating them to engage in AI courses, even if they are not directly related to their current roles.
Hatem Al-Ballaa, Assistant Undersecretary for Skills and Training at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, affirmed that AI is essential for handling big data, developing human capabilities, meeting job requirements, and facilitating decision-making processes through continuously evolving tools.
In the final session of the forum, several experts and officials discussed the role of training and talent development in achieving sustainability. They covered strategies for integrating sustainability into talent training, showcased innovative models for identifying the skills needed to promote a culture of sustainability within organizations, and addressed the ongoing environmental and social challenges.
Dr. Ghadah Ahmed Bin Baz, Executive Director of Human Capital and Administrative Affairs at the Insurance Authority, indicated that organizations have started prioritizing sustai
nability following Saudi Vision 2030, viewing it as a guarantee for survival and productivity. She pointed to the major projects emerging every day, which reflect positively on institutions through achievements and significant alliances to enhance institutional efficiency and human capital.
Jill White, Executive Director of Member Engagement and Learning at the Chartered Insurance Institute, stressed that sustainability is a mindset and a responsibility that organizations should embrace. She highlighted the effectiveness of governance in competency development, talent nurturing, and having sustainable development programs as a critical method for retaining top talent.
Ibrahim Al Howish, head of Human Capital and Corporate Affairs at Al Rajhi Takaful, emphasized that institutions need digital transformation and ethical leadership to foster sustainability and elevate training and development in the financial sector to align with contemporary demands and global systems.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
