Future of Work and People Strategy
Gulf Financial Services Community: The HR Function & Risk Management
12.15-1.45 (GST) / 9.15-10.45 (BST)
As enterprise risk becomes more shaped by uncertainty, interdependence and human judgement, HR has an increasingly important role to play in helping organisations build resilience.
Drawing on recent CRF research, this session will explore why traditional risk models are no longer enough on their own, how people-related risks are becoming more central to enterprise performance, and what this means for HR leaders, boards and organisational decision-making in practice.
The discussion will also be enriched by perspectives from our guest speaker on organisational readiness in the face of disruption, including the importance of clear accountability, crisis preparedness, cross-functional coordination and building resilience before problems arise.
Learning objectives
By attending this session, participants will:
- Explore how enterprise risk is increasingly shaped by people, leadership and organisational conditions
- Consider the implications for HR’s role in supporting resilience, preparedness and better decision-making
- Reflect on practical ways to identify and respond to emerging people-related risks
Agenda
- 12.15 Welcome & Introduction – Michael Whelan, Director, CRF: Future Ready HR
- 12.20 CRF Research Insights: HR Function and Risk Management – John Whelan MBE, Former UK HR Director, BAE Systems, Director at CRF
- 12.30 Insights from Mark Hughes, Chief Security Officer, Allwyn UK
- 13.00 Q&A with Mark
- 13.10 Mercer’s Risk Insights with Adel Alderi, Senior Consultant and Business Leader, Mercer Marsh Benefits (MMB), Middle East
- 13.35 Q&A with Adel
- 13.45 Close
Speakers
Adel Alderi
Senior Consultant and Business Leader, Mercer Marsh Benefits (MMB), Middle East
Adel is a Senior Consultant and Business Leader for Mercer Marsh Benefits (MMB) in the Middle East, driving strategic growth and delivering tailored employee benefits solutions across 10 countries. With a diverse background spanning data analysis, underwriting, broking, reinsurance, and claims management, Adel brings a comprehensive understanding of risk and people to help organizations optimize their workforce strategies. Having worked extensively in the UAE, Iraq, Jordan, and Syria, he leverages deep regional expertise to align benefits programs with business goals, enhance employee well-being, and manage risk effectively in complex, multi-industry environments. Adel’s insights empower HR leaders to navigate evolving challenges and create resilient, value-driven benefits frameworks that support talent attraction, retention, and organizational success.
Mark Hughes
Chief Security Officer, The National Lottery
Mark Hughes is the Chief Security Officer for The National Lottery, leading all aspects of security across the organisation, including information security, game platform security, and physical security. A key focus of his role is building a resilient business through effective business continuity and crisis management, ensuring The National Lottery can anticipate, withstand, and recover from evolving threats.
Prior to this, Mark worked in the energy sector as Chief Information Security Officer, responsible for securing the communication network underpinning the UK’s smart meter rollout programme. His background is rooted in telecommunications, having spent 16 years at Vodafone, including 12 years as Chief Security Officer for its UK business. There, he led all security operations, counter-fraud and compliance programmes, and worked closely with UK central government and British intelligence agencies to help protect the nation’s Critical National Infrastructure.
John Whelan MBE
Director, CRF
John Whelan is a Director at Corporate Research Forum. Formerly UK HR Director of BAE Systems, the FTSE 100 defence, security, and aerospace company, John’s experience and strengths lie in business and HR Transformation, Organisation Development and Employee Relations. Prior to joining BAE, he held a variety of HR roles in engineering, technology and manufacturing businesses across the telecommunications and semi-conductor industries including Matra-Marconi Space where he was HR Director for the UK and, latterly, Group HRD.
Michael Whelan
Director, CRF and Strategic Dimensions
Michael Whelan is a Director at Corporate Research Forum (CRF), leading the organisation in the GCC region, based in the UAE. He supports the organisation’s global network of more than 270 organisations build the capability of their HR functions through evidence-based research, technology-enabled learning and development, expert events, and peer exchange.
Michael is also a Director at leading HR search and advisory firm Strategic Dimensions – CRF’s sister organisation – having started his career in Executive Search. His experience extends across industry and geographical sectors including the largest firms in the Gulf region.
About the Gulf Financial Services Community
CRF’s Financial Services HR Community is an exclusive network for senior HR leaders working across the UAE’s banking, insurance, asset management, investment and fintech sectors. This forum recognises the unique opportunities and challenges facing HR in one of the region’s most dynamic and heavily regulated industries.
Through a mix of CRF research insights, expert guest speakers, and peer-led discussions, the Community provides a platform to explore issues ranging from workforce transformation and leadership capability to regulatory change and talent mobility. Sessions are designed to encourage frank conversation, shared problem-solving, and the exchange of practical solutions.
For HR leaders in financial services, this is a rare chance to learn from peers navigating similar challenges, connect with trusted experts, and contribute to raising the standard of HR across the sector in the UAE.
If you are a senior HR leader working in this sector, based in the Middle East and are interested in joining this community, please contact Michael Whelan.
