An internal initiative honouring the professional growth journey of Emirati employees and strengthening the partnership between leadership and national talent
DUBAI: When a Group CEO sits down for an open conversation with Emirati employees, answering their questions directly in a podcast-style format, the message goes well beyond that of a typical internal event. This is what unfolded at “Al Barzaa 2026”, organised by National Bonds, one of the UAE’s leading Sharia-compliant savings and investment companies, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Dubai.
Held under the theme “Empowering National Talent”, the event reflected National Bonds’ ongoing commitment to supporting and empowering Emirati talent and reinforcing a culture of belonging and pride among its Emirati employees. It brought together a select group of Emirati staff alongside the company’s executive leadership in an authentically Emirati setting that reflected a spirit of heritage and national belonging. In line with the UAE’s Year of the Family initiative, the event also celebrated the importance of unity and mutual support, recognising the company’s employees as members of one family.
“We are proud to come together today to celebrate our national talent, honour their achievements, and strengthen the bond between our employees and leadership. At National Bonds, we consider our employees part of one family, and we remain committed to creating an environment where Emirati talent can learn, grow, and succeed.”
Success Stories and Meaningful Moments at the Heart of the Programme
Alongside the fireside chat with the CEO, the programme featured an interactive segment titled “Beyond the Title”, in which the Group CEO shared personal and professional milestones from his journey in an informal, unscripted setting. The event also showcased real success stories of Emirati employees who have progressed through their careers at the company, along with testimonials from Emirati trainees on their experience in the company’s internal training programme.
The event also included a special tribute to the Group CEO, featuring a documentary-style video highlighting the personal impact of his leadership on the lives of employees and their families — a moment attendees described as the most emotional of the day.
Four Core Pillars
“Al Barzaa 2026” was built around four pillars that reflect National Bonds’ journey with its national talent: Creativity, encouraging fresh ideas and contributions to the future of National Bonds; Development, embodying a commitment to continuous learning and capability-building; Growth, celebrating career progression and achievements; and Ambition, reflecting the UAE spirit of vision, determination, and the belief that there are no limits to what can be achieved.
The programme concluded with group interactive activities inviting employees to share their future aspirations and the legacy they hope to leave at National Bonds, alongside proposing innovative ideas to enhance the customer experience and improve operational efficiency.
A Continued Commitment to Emiratisation
“Al Barzaa 2026” builds on National Bonds’ ongoing journey in support of Emiratisation. Throughout the year, the company continued to attract new Emirati talent across various departments, alongside activating “Masar”, the personal career development programme and strengthening internal mobility opportunities that have enabled a number of Emirati employees to progress into new leadership roles.