ADCB sees first 14 UAE National employees graduate from its Aspiring Manager Programme

Abu Dhabi, 11 September 2011: Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank ("ADCB") has announced the success of its Aspiring Managers Programme, as the first 14 UAE National employees graduate from the course.

The programme runs for 10 months and has been designed by ADCB to prepare existing UAE Nationals for management positions within their respective industries. The programme incorporates classroom work, practical business projects and workshops, giving participants a wide range of training in understanding and implementing/adopting management techniques and practices to their skill base.

The officer-level participants were selected based on outstanding performance in their respective groups and nominated by their department heads. Since the start of the 10 month programme, participants have attended a wide range of workshops and initiatives including: Tatweer Performance Management Workshop; Managing Self & Others Workshop; Career Planning and Management; Coaching Skills Workshop; The Fundamentals of the Business of Banking; Business Project Assignments; and a CSR project with the Al Noor School for Children with Special Needs.

Commenting on the announcement Ali Darwish, Head of Human Resources at ADCB, said: "We continue to take great pride in our efforts to further the experiences and opportunities available to UAE Nationals within the banking industry across the Emirates. This programme is a pioneering initiative that progresses the development and adoption of Emiratisation in the UAE banking sector and I would like to commend our Human Resources Group on the hard work they have done to make this possible and achieve such early success."

Ali Darwish added: "While recruitment remains a big focus of Emiratisation, equally important is the development of existing UAE National employees, and this programme aims to influence just that. By giving participants the tools to progress their careers to the next level, we not only equip the next set of UAE National managers, but also facilitate the movement of labour up the corporate scale as our existing Emiratisation efforts bring new starters into the UAE's banking industry.

"The early success of this programme is fantastic news, both for participating graduates and also for the banking sector as a whole. With more UAE Nationals entering the programme I look forward to it continuing, and would like to extend my appreciation to all those who have made it such a success."

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About ADCB:
ADCB was formed in 1985 and as at 30 June 2011 employed over 3,813 people from 49 nationalities, serving over 480,000 retail customers and over 33,000 wholesale clients in 45 branches, 4 pay offices and 1 kiosk in the UAE and two branches in India.  It is the third largest bank in the UAE and second largest in Abu Dhabi by assets, at AED 179 bn as at 30 June 2011.

ADCB is a full-service commercial bank which offers a wide range of products and services such as retail banking, wealth management, private banking, corporate banking, commercial banking, cash management, investment banking, corporate finance, foreign exchange, interest rate, currency, derivative and Islamic products, project finance and property management services.

ADCB is owned 58.08% by the Abu Dhabi Government through the Abu Dhabi Investment Council.  Its shares are traded on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market.  As at 30 June 2011, ADCB's market capitalisation was AED 17 bn.

For further information please contact:
Corporate Communications Department
ADCB
Tel: +971 (0) 2 696 2380
Fax: +971 (0) 2 610 9852

© Press Release 2011