Latest news with #ShaziaSyed
Mid East Info
13-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Emirati Human Resources Development Council and Unilever Middle East sign MoU to empower Emirati talents and boost private sector collaboration
The Emirati Human Resources Development Council (EHRDC) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Unilever General Trading (UGT) LLC, establishing a strategic partnership to advance Emirati talent in the private sector. The agreement aims to set up a strategic framework for cooperation focused on employment opportunities, upskilling and fostering innovation among the Emirati youth, in line with Dubai's human capital development goals. The agreement contributes to the broader objectives of the UAE Centennial 2071 and Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), both of which prioritise sustainable economic growth, youth empowerment and increased private sector participation in national development. It further supports the federal Emiratisation strategy by generating relevant roles for UAE nationals in leading global organisations. Under the framework of the MoU, both parties will collaborate strategically to support the development and employment of Emirati talent through joint initiatives that promote national talent acquisition, enhance training programmes and facilitate knowledge transfer. H.E. Abdulla Ali Bin Zayed Al Falasi, Deputy Chairman of EHRDC, said: 'This strategic partnership with a globally renowned private sector leader like Unilever represents a pivotal step in advancing our national talent agenda. It reflects our ongoing commitment to empowering Emirati professionals and equipping them with essential skills needed to thrive in dynamic, innovation-driven industries. Through this MoU, we are not only creating meaningful employment pathways but also reinforcing Dubai's vision of building a resilient, future-ready workforce that drives sustainable economic growth.' Shazia Syed, Head of Arabia and GM PC Unilever PTAB, said: 'We are honoured to partner with the Emirati Human Resources Development Council and support the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) by elevating Emirati talent in the private sector and building a robust, adaptable local talent pool. This MoU underscores our commitment to the sustainable development of local talent, exemplified by our ongoing 'U4YOU' graduate program, which prepares local talent for future leadership roles and is supported by the fact that we currently employ a growing number of Emiratis across various functions.' Furthermore, a key pillar of this collaboration is Unilever's graduate programme, 'U4YOU', which was launched in 2022. Offered at the 1C level, the programme provides Emirati graduates a two-year rotational experience across various key business operations such as supply chain management, marketing, finance and customer development. The programme also includes tailored coaching and upskilling sessions, with a medium-term goal of retaining top-performing Emirati graduates by facilitating potential promotion to the 1D level upon completion. The MoU between EHRDC and Unilever marks a major step forward in public-private partnership to equip Emiratis with the skills, experience and confidence to thrive in the future economy. Additionally, it contributes to reinforcing Dubai's position as a regional example for talent development and inclusive economic growth.
Web Release
13-05-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Emirati Human Resources Development Council and Unilever Middle East sign MoU to empower Emirati talents and boost private sector collaboration
By Editor_wr Last updated May 13, 2025 The Emirati Human Resources Development Council (EHRDC) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Unilever General Trading (UGT) LLC, establishing a strategic partnership to advance Emirati talent in the private sector. The agreement aims to set up a strategic framework for cooperation focused on employment opportunities, upskilling and fostering innovation among the Emirati youth, in line with Dubai's human capital development goals. The agreement contributes to the broader objectives of the UAE Centennial 2071 and Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), both of which prioritise sustainable economic growth, youth empowerment and increased private sector participation in national development. It further supports the federal Emiratisation strategy by generating relevant roles for UAE nationals in leading global organisations. Under the framework of the MoU, both parties will collaborate strategically to support the development and employment of Emirati talent through joint initiatives that promote national talent acquisition, enhance training programmes and facilitate knowledge transfer. H.E. Abdulla Ali Bin Zayed Al Falasi, Deputy Chairman of EHRDC, said: 'This strategic partnership with a globally renowned private sector leader like Unilever represents a pivotal step in advancing our national talent agenda. It reflects our ongoing commitment to empowering Emirati professionals and equipping them with essential skills needed to thrive in dynamic, innovation-driven industries. Through this MoU, we are not only creating meaningful employment pathways but also reinforcing Dubai's vision of building a resilient, future-ready workforce that drives sustainable economic growth.' Shazia Syed, Head of Arabia and GM PC Unilever PTAB, said: 'We are honoured to partner with the Emirati Human Resources Development Council and support the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) by elevating Emirati talent in the private sector and building a robust, adaptable local talent pool. This MoU underscores our commitment to the sustainable development of local talent, exemplified by our ongoing 'U4YOU' graduate program, which prepares local talent for future leadership roles and is supported by the fact that we currently employ a growing number of Emiratis across various functions.' Furthermore, a key pillar of this collaboration is Unilever's graduate programme, 'U4YOU', which was launched in 2022. Offered at the 1C level, the programme provides Emirati graduates a two-year rotational experience across various key business operations such as supply chain management, marketing, finance and customer development. The programme also includes tailored coaching and upskilling sessions, with a medium-term goal of retaining top-performing Emirati graduates by facilitating potential promotion to the 1D level upon completion. The MoU between EHRDC and Unilever marks a major step forward in public-private partnership to equip Emiratis with the skills, experience and confidence to thrive in the future economy. Additionally, it contributes to reinforcing Dubai's position as a regional example for talent development and inclusive economic growth. Comments are closed.
Zawya
04-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Unilever's UAE Sustainability Initiative spurs 12% sales uplift, strengthens consumer support for green choices
United Arab Emirates: Unilever's UAE mangrove restoration campaign, 'A Great Deal for Everyone', has delivered measurable impact, driving a 12% uplift in sales. Sustainability remains a priority for consumers, but a long-standing value-action gap persists. Unilever's campaign sought to address this gap by making sustainability easier, more accessible, and rewarding. Partnering with LuLu Group, Mastercard, and Emirates Nature-WWF, the initiative linked purchases to real-world impact. It combined promotions, education, digital engagement and the restoration of 6,000 mangroves and over a hectare of land, offsetting 120,000 kg CO2e over five years. A Unilever commissioned post-campaign study by Kantar among 883 UAE consumers reinforced consumer willingness to support sustainable brands. The research revealed that while 67% of shoppers agreed the campaign will help them make more sustainable choices in the future, we saw a 6% uplift in consumers prepared to invest their time and money in companies that prioritize doing good, while 65% felt it empowered them to contribute to protecting the environment. Beyond sentiment, the campaign saw strong engagement across digital and in-store touchpoints. The initiative generated 63 million impressions and reached 9.8 million people—14% above projections. Video content performed exceptionally well, with 7.1 million views, exceeding forecasts by 70%. Additionally, campaign awareness rose by 7.9 points, significantly outperforming the industry benchmark of 1.1 points. These figures highlight not only heightened awareness but also a willingness to engage with sustainability content when it is made relevant and rewarding. 'We are encouraged by these early survey signals, which highlight that consumers respond positively when sustainability is made accessible.' said Shazia Syed, General Manager Personal Care Unilever Pakistan, Turkey, Arabia and Bangladesh and Head of Arabia. 'Consumers are looking for brands to take the lead in sustainability, but accessibility remains a challenge. These findings suggest that, alongside improving accessibility, a combination of clear incentives and other supportive measures is needed to influence consumer behavior, laying the groundwork for potential long-term change.' By integrating consumer engagement with tangible climate action, Unilever demonstrates how brands can scale sustainability efforts using the power of marketing. While no single campaign can fully close the value-action gap, Unilever's mangrove restoration initiative is part of a broader commitment to environmental stewardship. 'With this campaign, we've taken an important first step toward fostering long-term behavioral change,' added Syed. 'Through innovation and partnerships, we aim to turn sustainable choices into second nature for consumers.' Unilever's initiative reinforces that purpose-driven campaigns can drive both commercial success and measurable climate action— demonstrating the power of brands to influence meaningful change. About Unilever Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Foods and Ice Cream products, with sales in over 190 countries and products used by 3.4 billion people every day. We have 128,000 employees and generated sales of €60.8 billion in 2024.
