UK-based CIPD, a professional body for human resource development, has opened a new office in Dubai, UAE located in Knowledge Village.

Through the new office, the CIPD will help local HR and L&D professionals and organisations to improve practices in people and organisation development, a statement said.

It will work closely with its partners in the region through a range of networks, communities and events devoted to shaping the future of HR, the statement added.

The Middle East team will also work in close collaboration with colleagues in the UK and Asia to expand the CIPD’s reach and services to the international HR and L&D communities, while ensuring that members are best served in a local context.

Peter Cheese, CIPD chief executive said: “Good people management and development is not only good for individuals, but it's also crucial to the success of businesses and economies, which is why we are delighted to be growing our Middle East presence. This is a fast developing region and people are at the heart of driving this change. It’s essential that organisations have the support they need to develop the skills and potential of their people and it’s our role to ensure that the HR profession in the region is equipped to deliver high-performing, productive workforces.

“Governments here already recognise the need for HR to step up and deliver the big uplift in people management and development capabilities needed to support this, and we look forward to working with them and with organisations to deliver this change.”

Cheese is set to deliver a keynote presentation, The Future of HR in a Fast Changing World, at the HR Summit and Expo, on November 16 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

To support the launch of its new Dubai hub, the CIPD has released a report which highlights the role of HR in a complex and rapidly changing world. The report – HR professional judgement: A Middle East perspective – explores how the HR function will prove essential as organisations in the region pursue business growth in new areas without losing sight of the values and ethics at the heart of their business.

Matthew Mee, managing director, Middle East CIPD, who will head up the new Dubai office said: “The GCC and Middle East economies are diversifying quickly and building knowledge-rich economies will require new skills and place significant demands on the HR and L&D functions across the region. The CIPD is a natural partner to help facilitate this transition.

“By establishing a new hub in Dubai we are much better placed to increase support for our existing 2,500 members in the Middle East, and extend our reach to support the growing number of people working in HR and L&D in the region.  Our focus will be to create the region’s best HR content, networks and communities and to really equip HR professionals with market relevant tools, skills and insights required to drive their organisation forward.”

The team in Dubai will focus on delivering locally relevant research and content, supported by a series of networking events to increase impact, as well as better support the CIPD’s training delivery partners in the region. By building on the organisation’s productive engagement so far, the CIPD will also create lasting partnerships with governments and employers across the region. – TradeArabia News Service