Financial Academy Forum Concludes, Emphasising Sustainable Talent Growth And Technology In Finance

The Financial Academy Forum's third edition wrapped up on Wednesday, featuring discussions with key figures from both public and private sectors. This event served as a platform for dialogue among participants from Saudi Arabia, global financial institutions, and specialised centres. The forum, themed "Sustainable Talent Growth," attracted over 3,000 attendees and included more than 15 expert speakers from the financial sector.

During the first session, attendees explored strategies for thriving amid rapid changes by fostering a culture of continuous learning. Discussions centred on adopting lifelong learning practices, leveraging technology to enhance education, and integrating innovation into organisational goals. Ali Almansour, CEO of SAB Invest, highlighted studies showing that companies embracing new technologies outperform others by up to 20 percent.

MEDGULF CEO Umar AlMahmoud noted that the insurance market is now part of the technology era. He stressed that companies resisting technological advancements will see limited profits compared to those investing in employee education. AlMahmoud praised Saudi government sectors for their digital transformation and urged leveraging this digital future to bridge gaps in the financial sector.

François Ortalo, Dean of London Business School, commended Saudi Arabia's financial institutions for their progress. He mentioned that Vision 2030 focuses on future outcomes that will materialise in the coming years. Tariq Al-Sudairy, CEO of Jadwa Investment, discussed overcoming challenges hindering workforce advancement through training supported by budgets and plans tailored to each employee.

The second session addressed AI-supported solutions to enhance employee experiences and productivity. Speakers discussed AI technologies for improving training outcomes and using analytical AI to measure workplace impacts. May Al-Hoshan from the Saudi French Bank emphasised virtual reality's potential in opening new horizons for learning.

Bader AlOtaibi from Arab National Bank explained AI's role in decision-making and customer experience enhancement. He highlighted the importance of using AI to boost productivity and introduce innovation in financial systems. Hasan Hamad from Saudi National Commercial Bank stressed equipping employees with top qualifications and encouraging engagement in AI courses.

Sustainability in Talent Development

The final session focused on training's role in achieving sustainability within organisations. Experts discussed integrating sustainability into talent training and identifying skills needed for promoting a sustainable culture. Dr. Ghadah Ahmed Bin Baz from the Insurance Authority noted that organisations are prioritising sustainability as part of Saudi Vision 2030.

Jill White from the Chartered Insurance Institute emphasised sustainability as a mindset organisations should adopt. She highlighted governance's role in competency development and talent nurturing as crucial for retaining top talent. Ibrahim Al Howish from Al Rajhi Takaful stressed digital transformation and ethical leadership as essential for aligning training with global demands.

The forum underscored the importance of continuous learning, technological integration, AI utilisation, and sustainability in shaping the future of the financial sector. These discussions reflect a commitment to fostering growth and prosperity through collaboration among various stakeholders.

With inputs from SPA