From its headquarters in London, Informa Connect Academy works with professionals across regions, using insights from the Gulf as a live case study of skills development and talent strategy. Leigh Kendall, Director of Learning at Informa Connect Academy, has been closely involved in supporting organisations in the GCC, where natural resources provided an early boost but vision and action drove further achievements that now interest global audiences, including the UK.
Speaking on the region’s progress, Kendall said, “Leaders across the GCC have been focused on building world-class nations powered by exceptional talent. That drive has rippled from governments and boardrooms all the way to the newest generation entering the workforce.” For Kendall, this experience offers lessons for employers everywhere, with a hunger for new knowledge defining Gulf labour markets and a strong learning focus supporting organisational progress and agility.
Skills in demand: tech, leadership, people
When asked which skills are most sought after in 2025 and beyond, Kendall identified three big areas: digital transformation, leadership, and human capital. He singled out governments in the region as benchmarks for public sector advancements, noting, “Managing multi-generational, tech-enabled, globally diverse workforces means leaders need to be adaptable and resilient.” These priorities mirror those facing UK and European organisations, where human resources influence everything from localisation and workforce planning to employee well-being and retention.
Bridging the gap between knowing and doing
Kendall discussed why professional training remains critical, even for GCC nationals who attend renowned universities, drawing a parallel with UK graduates entering highly competitive markets. “University is for building knowledge, but professional development is about application. We aim to bridge the gap between knowing and doing.” Through partnerships with institutions such as the CIPD, EFQM, Balanced Scorecard Institute and the Chartered Institute for IT, alongside region-specific content, Informa Connect Academy helps professionals gain practical skills for immediate impact at work in the Middle East, the UK, and globally.
Standing out in a competitive workforce
Competition, according to Kendall, sets the region apart and creates a reference point for other markets. He described a “new, confident and globally aware generation of talent, led by highly-skilled women and younger generations, determined to break the mould.” GCC nationals and their multinational colleagues perform to international standards, creating a culture of ambition and continual improvement. Organisations that invest in their workforces are the employers of choice, making ongoing learning central to strategy—an insight increasingly relevant to UK-based employers competing for specialist skills.
Training built for regional business challenges
Informa Connect Academy puts local realities first, designing programs to address GCC business challenges while drawing on UK-based expertise and global best practice. Whether supporting national progress, scaling organisations, driving technology adoption, or helping leaders manage hybrid and multi-cultural teams, the Academy focuses on supporting individual advancement, organisational performance, and the ability to address topics such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, strategy execution, and technology adoption. These experiences inform how the London-headquartered team advises clients across Europe and other regions facing similar pressures.
Human-centred learning in a changing market
On the future of training, Kendall emphasized the impact of technology advances on professionals everywhere, including those working out of major UK financial and commercial hubs. While knowledge once considered foundational is now easy to access, demand for high-quality, human-centred learning is rising. “People want learning experiences that challenge them, expand their perspectives, and equip them with practical skills.” Kendall sees specialist training providers helping the Gulf workforce raise standards and providing useful lessons for UK organisations that want to keep pace with constant change.
As regions like the GCC continue to invest in their people, the skills playbook is adapting, with companies and professionals in the UK and internationally looking for ways to stay expert, curious, and ready for new opportunities.
