UK Alumni Career & Networking Event connects talent with opportunities in the evolving finance sector

Sponsored by HSBC Bank Qatar and supported by the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education

The British Council recently hosted the UK Alumni Career & Networking Event in Qatar, bringing together distinguished UK alumni, industry leaders and key stakeholders to explore career opportunities and the evolving landscape of the finance sector.

Sponsored by HSBC Bank Qatar and delivered by the British Council, the event was supported by the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, reinforcing a shared commitment to developing talent and strengthening Qatar’s future workforce.

Opening the event, Dr Waseem Kotoub, Country Director of the British Council Qatar, welcomed guests alongside representatives from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the Ministry of Labour. On the occasion, he highlighted the importance of collaboration in creating meaningful opportunities for young professionals.

Dr Waseem Kotoub said: “This event reflects the strength of the UK alumni network in Qatar and the important role it plays in supporting career development and knowledge exchange. By bringing together alumni, industry leaders and government partners, we are creating meaningful opportunities for collaboration and growth, particularly in areas such as AI and digital innovation that are shaping the future of the finance sector.”

The event welcomed senior representatives from HSBC Bank Qatar, including Ms Laura Dunn, Chief Operating Officer; Mr Mohammed Al Sultan, Head of Human Resources; and Mr Hussain Al Sharshani, Head of Nationalization and Local Talent. Mr Mohammed Al Sultan delivered the keynote address, highlighting employment opportunities at HSBC Bank Qatar and the bank’s continued commitment to supporting Qatarization initiatives.

Mr Mohammed Al Sultan, Head of Human Resources from HSBC Bank in Qatar said: “At HSBC, we are committed to developing local talent and supporting Qatar’s national workforce priorities. Events like this provide a valuable platform to connect with emerging professionals, share insights, and highlight the opportunities available within the financial sector as it continues to evolve.”

Mr Mohammed Al Kuwari, Assistant Director of the National Workforce Recruitment Department at the Ministry of Labour, also delivered a speech to participants from the “Kawader” platform, in which he spoke about the importance of qualifying the national workforce.

Mr Mohammed Al Kuwari said: “We are pleased to support initiatives that connect talent with real employment pathways. Platforms such as Kawader, alongside partnerships across sectors, play a key role in supporting workforce development and ensuring that opportunities are accessible to skilled graduates.”

Representatives from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education also attended, including Ms Nourah Al Ansari, Director of the Scholarship Department, and Ms Aisha Al Muhannadi, Consultant in the Scholarship Department.

The event featured talks and presentations on AI and digital innovation in finance, with contributions from leading experts including Mr Abdulla Al Naimi, Managing Director of Doha Business Consulting; Mr Ranjith Punnose , Chief Information Officer, International & Qatar ; Mr Nicholas YoungCountry Head of Global Payment Solutions at HSBC Qatar; and Dr Hiba Al-Saudi, Adjunct Faculty at QFBA–Northumbria University and Chief Financial Officer of Tivoli Group.

Approximately 62 participants attended the event, including UK alumni and members of the Kawader platform, reflecting strong engagement between academia, industry and government in supporting career development and national workforce priorities.

For more information, please contact: sachi.kumar@britishcouncil.org and Mai.Hassouna@britishcouncil.org 

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