Blogs

Sherif Al Mahdy

“Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.”

Profile:

Sherif Al Mahdy joined the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) as its Senior Manger of Sporting and Championships, a position he held for six years before becoming the organisation’s Commercial Director in 2012.  He has been instrumental in fuelling BIC’s growth into the leading motorsport venue it is today and is responsible for the rise of several national motorsport events such as the Chevrolet Supercars Championship Middle East, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East and the BIC 2000CC Challenge.

Sherif’s role in the success of the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix is unquestionable.  Through his spearheading of the BIC’s yearly marketing campaign and driving ticket sales and the race weekend attendance to record numbers, he transformed the way business is done at the “home of the motorsport in the Middle East.”

Although educated in the field of pharmaceuticals, it was his passion for motorsports that made him pursue a career in this field.  And despite the momentous responsibilities that comes with overseeing several high profile sporting events, Sherif continues to excel in his role with his steadfast commitment and magic touch clearly evident at each year’s race.

Naseem Husain Rasrummani

“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all.” – J.K. Rowling

Profile:

Naseem Rasrummani first came onboard the Gulf Hotel as part of their  Management Training Programme in 2015. Passionate about cooking, she began her culinary experiments at a young age as a hobby.  Although she went on to study architecture and even worked in the field for 6 years, she was quick to realise the connection between architecture and food. According to Naseem “food is just an extension of architecture, but quicker and more fun.”  She considers leaving architecture to pursue the world of cooking to be her greatest achievement.

With a Master’s degree in Culinary Management from Switzerland followed by intensive trainings and internships at Michelin star restaurants and leading hotels, it was time for Naseem to return to Bahrain to transform the food scene in her country.

Today, she takes great pride in the fact that she is a powerful female chef in a male dominated profession and garners immense fulfilment from being able to reinvent herself and to use her passion to tell a story through a single plate.

Zahra Adel Hasan

“Be strong, be confident, be you.  Don’t underestimate what you can achieve.”

Profile:

Zahra Hasan is a highly motivated and committed individual who is responsible for managing a portfolio of around 40 banks, governments and GREs and non-bank financial institutions at the Gulf International Bank (GIB).

A well-rounded banker with over 13 years experience in various roles in risk management, business development and relationship management and with a proven track record in account optimisation, risk mitigation and customer service, she was also nominated to take part in GIB’s Future Leaders Programme.  Zahra also plays an equally active role in the Bank’s Social Committee by fostering a sense of community among GIB staff at social and recreational gatherings.

She hopes that her receiving this Outstanding Employee Award will convey to young Bahraini women that anyone can achieve their career goals through hard work and determination.

Dr. Jaffar Mohammed Ahmed

“I strongly believe in clear vision of what needs to be done, technical knowledge of how they should be done, and perseverance in overcoming the hurdles.”

Profile:

A professionally experienced and skilled risk management expert with over 17 years experience working for banks and audit firms, Dr Jaffar Ahmed joined the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) as Head of Operational Risk and Internal Control where his contribution towards improving the internal control environment across the bank has been significant and well recognised.

During the course of his career, he has successfully established risk management functions at 9 retail banks in the MENA region from scratch, elevating their stature to the best risk management functions among their peers in their respective countries.  In addition to his professional expertise, Dr Jaffer has trained hundreds of practitioners from the Middle East on the subjects of risk management, governance and compliance.

He is also an accomplished author recently publishing the second edition of his book entitled “Basel II: Good or Bad Regulation – Analysis of Bahrain Banks.”  His achievements thus far, positive attitude, perseverance and his commitment to continuous improvement on all fronts are a testament to his outstanding performance and accordingly his subsequent receipt of this year’s award.

Ahmed Mohammed Hussain

“I always strive to do my best when I am tasked with a project and look for opportunities to improve both on a personal and organisational level.”

Profile:

Ahmed Husain is responsible for overseeing the Gulf Aviation Academy’s  Procurement & Facilities requirements, delivering optimum value for money whilst ensuring prudence and probity in contracting, and compliance with Bahrain’s Tender Law and GAA’s governance.

His diligence and constant endeavours to achieve maximum savings through re-negotiations with service providers and suppliers has consistently resulted in a 40% reduction in facilities maintenance and operational costs since 2013.   Ahmed has also been instrumental in ensuring the continuous development and availability of high quality facilities for GAA’s long list of international and local clients.

According to Ahmed, his biggest challenge at work came about when he had to combine the functions of facilities management and procurement under one department, a feat that required him to acquire new skills set and learn about a hitherto unknown field, i.e. procurement.  However, Ahmed was adamant and undeterred in this mission.  Today he is an expert in both fields and goes out of his way to ensure that all procurement processes are conducted with transparency and fairness.

Barbara Baumgartner

“Goals are not necessarily achieved by the best or more knowledgeable, but by the ones who don’t give up and continue to try hard to achieve them.”

Profile:

Barbara Baumgartner’s fascination with aviation started at an early age.  Her  move to Dubai in 1997 with her husband resulted in her being handpicked to head the asset management and private aircraft operations for an affluent Saudi family business conglomerate.  Barbara’s entrepreneurial spirit eventually paved the way for her to join FAI rent-a-jet as a local representative for the Middle East in January 2003.   Her significant achievements in establishing FAI’s presence in the region, and her contribution to the growth of the business in the Middle East, led to the inauguration of FAI’s branch office in Dubai in December 2011.

Today, as Managing Director of FAI rent-a-jet AG, Barbara leads a team of 12 full-time employees, in addition to freelance medical crews. She is directly responsible for the management and growth of charter sales, operations, and the management of local based medical teams as well as that of FAI Dubai’s medical escort business on commercial aircraft, thereby cementing her place as a figure of  authority in the aviation industry in the Middle East.

In her free time, Barbara supports several VC initiatives that fund, coach and mentor start-ups, particularly those led by women entrepreneurs, which is her way of giving back to the region.

Mohamed Shazaib

“This award is proof that hard work is always acknowledged.  I hope to set an example for my peers to keep striving for their best.”

Profile:

Mohamed Shazaib joined Mueller Middle East as a Process Engineer from a different industrial background but was quick to establish himself as a positive and keen member of the team.  Ever willing to learn, he is always supportive of his colleagues and contributes to every situation.  Though new to the field, Mohamed is not afraid to ask questions that might expose his lack of experience and interacts incredibly well with people at all levels.

He believes that even though he had limited experience and background of the metal industry, his ability to learn and understand the process and contribute towards the continuous improvement of the organisation is one of his greatest achievement and a major motivating force,

In the short time he has been with Mueller, Mohammed is already bringing about positive changes to the manufacturing process and controls, and in the process impressing his colleagues and shareholders with his open and honest approach.

Reem Khalid Alqassimi

“But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.” [Surah 2:216]

Profile:

Reem Alqassimi joined the Bahrain Real Estate Investment Company (Edamah) as part of the Business Development team assisting in evaluating key development projects and real-estate investment opportunities in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

With more than six years of experience in business development and buy-side equity investment with a focus on real estate, consumer and financial sectors, Reem has successfully managed various projects including the completion of the first strategic acquisition deal for the Bahrain Car Parks Company and  establishing a panel with potential investors to develop the waterfront project Sa’ada Phase 3.

Aligning the company’s vision with that of her professional goals, Reem is determined, hardworking taking on challenging projects and seeing them through to completion while maintaining a positive and friendly demeanour even while under pressure.

Abdulhussain Hassan Mohammed

“I’ve done it before and I can do it again.”

Profile:

A hotel management graduate with over 15 years experience, Abdulhussain Mohammed joined the Novotel Bahrain Al Dana Resort, managed by the Al Jazeera Tourism Company, in 2017 as a Sales Executive.

Through his strong commitment to learning and taking on challenges, and meticulous attention to guests’ needs and comfort, Abdulhussain was  promoted twice in one year, once to Guests Relations Executive and then to Duty Manager.

Know for his leadership skills, creativity, flexibility, punctuality, effective communications, reliability and team player approach, Abdulhussain is a valued colleague at the Novotel and undoubtedly one of the deserving recipients of this year’s award.

Helal Ebrahim AlSaadoon

“My goal is to help Bahrain become the best in the aviation sector. I continue giving all my time to investing in the next generation who will lead the future of aviation for the country.”

Profile:

An industry veteran with nearly 40 years of experience in the aviation sector, Helal AlSaadoon has been effectively managing various responsibilities at the Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) during the course of his illustrious tenure.

His positive rapport and strong network within the country’s aviation community is well known and respected.  Helal is no stranger to awards and accolades.  He has been recognised on numerous occasions for his exemplary services and contributions to the aviation sector, both by BAC and the Government of Bahrain.

His nomination for the Outstanding Employee Award is yet another feather to his cap, as he prepares himself and his team to take on new challenges at the new state of the art airport terminal that is all set to be inaugurated in the first quarter of 2020.

Eman Abdulameer Alhoori

“The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.”

Profile:

Eman Alhoori joined the Southern Tourism Company (STC) as a Jetty Coordinator, a role she handled with vigour and dedication.  She played a key role in sealing various agreements with line ministries and the private sector which were instrumental in enhancing STC’s image.   In view of her commendable work, Eman went on to be promoted to Public Relations Officer.

Eman is always thinking about ways to improve the organisation, even if they may not necessarily form a part of her duties. Through internal events and employee recognition programmes, Eman has helped to increase employee morale and staff productivity.

A highly competent and self-motivated individual who believes in gaining as much knowledge and experience as possible, Eman is passionate about her work and is committed to upholding STC’s name both at national and international events and exhibitions.

Taha Alabbasi

“Hard work is the secret to achieving the highest standard possible at any task and in any situation.”

Profile:

With nearly three decades of experience in operations management, Taha Alabbasi is known for his creativity and innovative ideas.  Always one step ahead and ever willing to accept any task that has been assigned to him, he has been instrumental in suggesting various cost-effective measures for the organisation.

He consistently aims to find ways to help his co-workers and is committed to being impartial and unbiased.  Ever approachable and welcoming to his team members and crew, he is quick to address and resolve any issues or queries.

With leadership qualities, a proactive approach and strong training skills, Taha is an integral part of Gulf Air’s success and a deserving recipient of the Outstanding Employee Award.

Omar Yusuf Zainal

“Dream big, believe in yourself, work hard and the sky is your limit.”

Profile:

Omar Yusuf Zainal is a passionate aircraft engineer who has been with Gulf Air’s Technical Department for 5 years where he has been instrumental in developing the department and enhancing its workflow.

With a Masters degree in Air Safety Management and a holder of a EASA Part-66 Aircraft Maintenance License, he played a pivotal role in the maintenance planning of the Boeing 787 project.

Strongly committed to gaining knowledge and the requisite qualifications with the ultimate aim of benefiting the airline and the Kingdom of Bahrain’s aviation sector, Omar is being recognised for the dependability, efficiency and punctuality he brings to his role and for the eagerness with which he motivates his fellow colleagues.

Awatif AlBahhar

“Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen.”

Profile:

Awatif Albahhar is known to bring a thoughtful and considered approach to her role of Senior Procurement Officer.  With a strong willingness to learn and improve herself, Awatif leads by example as she always strives to see the good side of people, encouraging others to work hard and be positive.

She has raised the bar in the procurement process by establishing a renewed and reinvigorated spirit of cooperation and collaboration. Whether working with internal or external customers, Awatif endeavours to find the best outcomes for all those involved and truly exemplifies the core values of the procurement department.

She believes in teamwork, taking on difficult projects and seeing them through till the end.  Witnessing the satisfaction of her direct manager and team members strengthens her spirit of confidence and motivates her to continue giving her very best in everything she does.

S.Fawzi Alawi Husain

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.”

Profile:

S.Fawzi Husain joined Alba in 1996.  During the course of a tenure spread over two decades, he has held numerous roles and handled various responsibilities at the organisation.

In his current role, S.Fawzi oversees a team of 80 staff members and is responsible for managing day to day operations on pot lines to produce aluminium in a safe manner while achieving production targets in line with the company’s objectives and resources.

Known for his reliability, ability to communicate and innovate, and his steadfast commitment to safety, S.Fawzi is not new to recognitions or achievements.  He has previously been awarded for Best Operations in addition to receiving a full scholarship from Alba to complete his MBA from the University of Huddlefield (UK).

Jafar Naser Al-Ghannami

“Work hard like there’s no tomorrow.”

Profile:

Jafar Al-Ghannami started his career with GARMCO in 1994 in the Circle department, gradually climbing the ladder to supervise one of the most critical departments in the company, the Cold Mill department.

A self-motivated professional, Jafar exudes positivity and energy in all he does.  Dedicated to motivating his colleagues in favour of getting tasks done and delivering on performances in an optimal manner, Jafar plays an important role in organising shift employees, conducting trainings and investigations into safety incidents as well as monitoring equipment, people, and processes in order to achieve viable operations.

His professional demeanour, approach and performance have helped in minimising safety costs while ensuring the highest standards in quality is maintained.  In his 25 years tenure with GARMCO, Jafar has received the outstanding employee award twice.  This is his third such accolade and a much deserved one at that.

Hani Abdulla Al Aradi

“I love my work and always strive to give my best to achieve the impossible.”

Profile:

A seasoned worker with over 15 years of experience, Hani Al Aradi has been instrumental in maintaining Alba’s safety standards at optimum levels.

A dedicated individual who is competitive and passionate about what he does, Hani has a proven track record for changing the culture and practice of safety at the plant.

He also trains and motivates his fellow team members to ensure that appropriate health and safety standards are adhered to at all times.

Anouar Abattouy

“Who toils succeeds and who plants reaps.”

Profile:

Anouar Abattaouy started his career with PREMO Group as a process engineer responsible for managing production where he contributed to improving processes and  motivating his fellow colleagues to achieve their objectives.  He went on to be promoted to the role of Project Coordinator, requiring him to shift his focus to customer service and customer relations, an area that he enjoys working in, particularly dealing with challenging customers and handling critical complaints, which has enabled him to improve his people skills.

Anouar likes to adopt a methodical and organised approach manner while handling his responsibilities and maintains an enthusiastic, calm and  professional demeanour while liaising with customers.   He constantly endeavours to seek new technologies and devise efficient and innovative ways of doing things, which he believes is necessary as it gives his organisation a strong edge in a highly competitive field.

Anouar was instrumental in fueling the organisation’s antennae business which went on to make PREMO one of the leading suppliers of the product.  With a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a masters degree in telecom and engineering systems, Anouar continues to further his knowledge  as he prepares to obtain his PhD in the field of electronics.

Fatema Abdulrazaq Almahmood

“Vision without action is a daydream.”

Profile:

Fatema AlMahmood’s thirst for knowledge, focus and commitment are motivated by her pursuit for excellence in everything she does.  Since coming on board the Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT), Fatima has contributed to enhancing DANAT’s laboratory and its testing processes through her hard work and creative approach.

She believes that her modest and traditional upbringing have kept her grounded and humble, teaching her valuable qualities such as integrity, honesty, loyalty, selflessness and discipline.  A self-driven individual, Fatema likes taking matters into her own hands when it comes to her personal development and progress.

She hopes that her work will enable her to leave a mark on this world and influence the lives of others in a positive manner.  According to her, this is what would make the journey of her career worthwhile.

Ali Abdulelah Almoalem

“Your pain today will be your strength tomorrow.”

Profile:

Although a IT professional by education and initial work experience, Ali Almoalem undertook his new role at the Bahrain Flour Mills Company (Al-Matahin) with determination and an open mindset.  Through extensive learning, reading and research, Ali acquired the necessary knowledge and skills set, rising up to deal with the requirements and challenges of risk and compliance with full awareness and eagerness.

The result was a new career path and growth that witnessed him successfully executing a complex and demanding project in the recent past, garnering the trust and respect of his colleagues in the process.

A go getter by nature, not only did he successfully discover a new direction in his career, he also overcame his childhood fear of water in his pursuit to become a licensed open water diver.

Yaser Mohamed Al Hammadi

“The uniqueness of the Durrat Al Bahrain project inspires and motivates me to give my best at all levels.”

Profile:

Yaser Al Hammadi joined Durrat Khaleej Al Bahrain in 2006 as Assistant Manager Corporate Communications progressing to his current role as Executive Manager Corporate Communications and Sales in 2016.

Yaser handles a multi-faceted role involving several departments and functions such as public relations, marketing, sales, collections, transition and business relations.  A highly effective communicator, he has a proven track record for managing complex situations with resourcefulness while forging and maintaining business relationships.

He oversaw the rebranding of the organisation and successfully designed and implemented the strategic marketing plan for Phase 3 of the resort resulting in 90% of the phase selling out in record time.  A strong believer in spreading positivity in all areas of work, Yaser inspires his team to reach greater heights.

Shamshad Alam Ali

“Be kind, tell the truth and help people.”

Profile:

Shamshad Ali began her career with the Bahrain International Golf Course Company (BIGCC) in 2008 as a HR Training Supervisor, progressing steadily to the roles of HR Training Manager and then to HR Manager, through her sheer hard work and unwavering dedication to the goals of the organisation. She has supported the achievement of strategic changes to the organisation’s structure in terms of training, salary scaling and the development of sustainable HR policies and procedures.

Today, she provides HR support to over 158 employees across 9 different departments, ensuring that staff members are well cared for, feel safe and valued, thereby creating a healthy working environment.

Humble and modest about her achievements, Shamshad is a valuable member of BIGCC, supporting the organisation and its staff as if they were her own family.

Andrea Stella

“Lead by example, serve to lead.”

Profile:

Following a successful tenure with Ferrari from years 2000 to 2014 as Race/Performance Engineer responsible for overseeing the racing cars of F1 stalwarts such as Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso and contributing to winning 13 world championships and numerous podiums,  Andrea Stella joined McLaren Racing in 2015 as Head of Track Operations.

In 2018, he took on the position of McLaren’s Performance Director contributing towards building a strong race team and setting a solid foundations for car performance.  His leadership in both technical and operational areas has been a key mainstay of the team’s progress during an intensely challenging time.

Known for his humility, openness, mutual respect for colleagues, ingenuity,  calmness and methodical approach, Andrea has enabled a controlled transition to McLaren Racing’s rebuilding programme while boosting confidence throughout the team, which has laid the foundation for this year’s performance and the team’s journey back on road to the front of the field.

Vasco Araujo

“Be humble, be hungry and always be the hardest worker in the room, going to bed with dreams but always waking up with a purpose – Dream, Believe, Achieve!”

Profile:

Vasco Araujo is a well-respected employee at McLaren Automotive who has demonstrated his strategic thinking and tactical prowess in delivering outstanding performance and stability to the organisation’s fast paced, challenging and dynamic manufacturing  environment.

He is known for his proactive approach, calmness, high levels of self-motivation and standards, exceptional organisational abilities and unwavering drive to meet objectives and keep business on plan, never hesitating to lead challenging projects or sacrifice his personal time to support business needs.

Regarded as an ambassador of the McLaren brand and the company’s values, Vasco makes things happen with a positive and energetic spirit, relentlessly pursuing what is possible and challenging to deliver what sometimes feels like the impossible. His happy personality and strong principles make him immensely popular and approachable across the entire organisation.   It is these qualities that make him a worthy recipient of the Outstanding Employee Award.

Manuela Cecconi

“I love my job and I enjoy the fact it’s tough – challenges are the best opportunity I have to enhance my skills and to prove to myself that I can do it, as long as I persist and I have a plan B (just in case!).”

Profile:

Manuela’s passion for cars and motorbikes was instilled by her father during her teens.  She joined McLaren Automotive as a Project Coordinator for 570S in 2013.  And since then, there’s been no looking back.  She was promoted to Project Manager for the 720S Spider within two years, a role she had been aspiring to since the beginning of her career.

Manuela currently heads one of McLaren Automotive’s biggest and newest programmes, P17, a project she was entrusted with due to her consistent performance, steadfast commitment and strong alignment of work ethics with McLaren values.

A very focused and solution driven individual who is skilled at engaging with project teams and the wider business, Manuela is also an avid runner.  Despite a demanding work schedule, she finds the time to prepare and run marathons, an interest she believes has taught her to never underestimate her abilities.

Mark Tatlow

“I enjoy challenges and find that the pressures of the racing calendar drive me to work harder to deliver innovative systems to our customers.”

Profile:

Mark Tatlow leads the Motor Control division at McLaren Applied Technologies, overseeing a team of engineers who design, test and support motor control systems for hybrid power train portfolio, which are used by Formula-1, Formula E and other select automotive customers.

The systems that Mark and his team have created are world class in terms of efficiency and performance and include many features that give their customers a competitive edge.  He has also been instrumental in attracting high quality engineers to the team.

While his adherence to delivering projects and products on time is exemplary, it is his commitment both to engineering and innovation that makes him shine and a deserving winner of this year’s Outstanding Employee Award.

Khalil Ebrahim Mohamed

“My greatest achievement has been safely starting Line-6 through meticulous planning and organisation.”

Profile:

Khalil Ebrahim joined Alba in 1996 as a process control shift operator, gradually being promoted to his current role of Senior Manager overseeing Alba’s Reduction Line 6.

Khalil has been instrumental in various projects at Alba, from the organisation’s restructuring process in 2010, Line-5 start up and recovery, including the recent start-up and commission of Line-6, which made Alba one of the largest single site aluminium smelters in the world.

With a B.SC in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from the University of Huddlefield (UK) and with a MBA from the ESSEC Business School, Khalil is being recognised for his leadership and ownership qualities that have contributed to the successful and safe start up of the new pot line.