Beyond the Myths: International HR & Inclusive Leadership in the Middle East
In this conversation, Fiona speaks with Kelly Blackaby, Regional HR Director for Europe, the Middle East and South Asia, about what it’s really like to live and work in the GCC. With nearly a decade in Saudi Arabia and extensive regional experience, Kelly shares practical insights on mobility, inclusion, dual-career support, evolving expat packages, and how HR can balance people, performance, and purpose amid rapid national growth agendas.
We discuss
- Some of the biggest misconceptions about relocating to the GCC (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia, UAE) - How cities like Dubai, Riyadh and Doha offer world-class infrastructure, safety and lifestyle
- Why traditional expat packages are changing (and what’s commonly excluded now)
- Family considerations: school places, traffic, childcare, and dual-career pathways
- The rise of international and boarding schools (e.g., Repton, Harrow) and adult learning
- Employer strategies to prevent assignment failure and boost wellbeing
- Inclusion as a strategic imperative: cultural onboarding, mentoring, and support for women and
neurodiverse talent - Localisation & early-career development: tailored benefits, flexible/hybrid work, and continuous
feedback - AI & digitisation in HR: real-time dashboards, pulse surveys, data-driven decision making
- National growth agendas (Saudi Vision 2030, Dubai D33) and what they mean for HR scale-up
A summary of the key takeaways:
The Middle East is no longer seen as a hardship post but as a globally connected hub offering a high quality oflife. As talent inflows increase, expat packages are evolving, making clarity and transparency around benefits
more important than ever. Mobility success depends on holistic support for employees and their families,
alongside strong cultural onboarding and peer mentoring to enhance engagement and retention. HR practices
are shifting toward continuous development and data-driven workforce planning, with AI driving new
efficiencies and insights. Meanwhile, ambitious national growth agendas, such as Dubai’s D33 and Saudi
Arabia’s Vision 2030, are creating a rapid demand for skilled talent, education, housing, and healthcare
infrastructure across the region.
Kelly Blackaby: Regional HR Director (Europe, Middle East & South Asia)
Kelly Blackaby is a senior HR executive with over 17 years’ experience leading strategic HR initiatives across multiple industries in the UK, GCC and Europe. She has deep expertise in global mobility, workforce transformation and international expansion, having supported joint ventures, M&A and talent strategy for high-growth organisations. A pioneering female leader in Saudi Arabia, Kelly brings sharp insight into regional labour markets, localization policies and cross-cultural integration. She’s passionate about building inclusive, future-ready workplaces and supporting economic growth plans through agile, people-centred strategies. www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-blackaby-ma-mcipd/
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