Today's Edition
A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
UAE nationals constituted 49.3% of the workforce at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) at the end of 2025, according to the Bank’s Corporate Governance Report 2025 and ESG disclosures submitted to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.
The reports highlight progress in Emiratisation, leadership representation, diversity and employee engagement as part of FAB’s broader governance and sustainability framework. More than 20% of the Group’s executive management positions are held by Emiratis, while UAE nationals lead 65% of management roles across UAE branches.
“FAB is resolute in providing UAE nationals with opportunities that go beyond traditional boundaries,” the Corporate Governance Report stated.
Through dedicated development centres, the Bank identifies skill gaps among Emirati employees and curates customised learning programmes in collaboration with leading global organisations and institutions. In 2025, FAB delivered more than 140,000 hours of training, with strong emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI), digital, functional and leadership capabilities. The Bank’s Global Mobility Programme offers UAE nationals opportunities to gain international exposure across FAB’s global offices.
In 2025, FAB introduced and expanded several specialised programmes designed to nurture leadership and specialised skills among Emiratis. These include Reyada for business development executives, Qeyada for senior and mid-career development, the International Business Relations (IBR) programme, Bedaya for pre-graduate students, Ethraa in partnership with the Emirates Institute of Finance, and the Al Ain Initiative aimed at attracting regional Emirati talent. More than 100 UAE nationals progressed in their careers through flagship initiatives such as the Future Leadership Programme (FLP), Al Masar, Reyada and Qeyada, while over 1,000 benefited from training leading to academic qualifications, professional certifications and technical development.
FAB’s Youth Council continues to operate in line with the UAE Federal Youth Authority guidelines, representing the Group in external engagements and empowering young Emirati professionals within the Bank’s leadership framework.
The Bank’s efforts were recognised at the Nafis Award 2025, where FAB secured first place for exceeding the Central Bank of the UAE regulatory mandate among large banking entities and achieved Diamond Category recognition for advancing strategic Emiratisation initiatives. The report noted that these recognitions reflect alignment with national employment targets and sustainable career development objectives under UAE Vision 2031.
FAB also reaffirmed its commitment to diversity and inclusion. Employees represent 93 nationalities, and the Bank is advancing commitments under the UAE Gender Balance Council’s Gender Equality Acceleration Pledge and the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles. Women account for 43% of the UAE workforce, while overall female representation across the Group and subsidiary boards stands at 19%.
Employee wellbeing and engagement remain integral to FAB’s people strategy. The Bank has implemented structured recognition programmes and digitised HR services through MyHR, an AI-powered, cloud-based platform that unifies HR processes and data to support hire-to-retire management and data-driven decision-making. FAB applies a holistic wellbeing framework integrating physical, mental and social support, while emphasising internal mobility and long-term career development.
Emiratisation and people policies are embedded within FAB’s broader governance framework, which emphasises accountability, regulatory alignment and sustainable value creation. “Achievements in 2025 are a testament to the Bank’s belief in the power of Emirati talent and a dedication to unlocking their full potential,” the report said.
FAB added that it remains committed to increasing representation of UAE nationals across all levels of the organisation and empowering them to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of banking.
