8.00 – 8.30 – Early registration and networking breakfast

8.45 – 9.15 – Breakfast Session: Global mobility in a fractured world: Turning disruption into opportunity

The world of global mobility has entered a new era defined as much by geopolitics as by talent. From sanctions regimes and protectionist labour policies to political flashpoints disrupting key corridors, the movement of people has become a frontline issue in international business strategy. In this special fireside chat, Fragomen’s Julia Onslow-Cole shares her insights on how geopolitical fragmentation is redefining the way employers plan, deploy, and protect their global workforces. Drawing on her extensive experience advising multinational corporations and governments on complex mobility, compliance, and immigration challenges, she will explore how companies can maintain agility, mitigate risk, and turn disruption into opportunity.

Moderator:
Izzy Wood, Reporter, Global Mobility Lawyer (United Kingdom)

Panellist: 
Julia Onslow-Cole, Partner, Fragomen (United Kingdom)

9.00 – 9.25 – Registration and welcome coffee

9.25 – 9.30 – Welcome remarks from International Employment Lawyer 

9.30 – 10.30 – Plenary Session 1: Protecting the Crown Jewels: drafting restrictive covenants in MENA

In a competitive and increasingly knowledge-driven economy, safeguarding trade secrets and confidential business information is critical for multinational businesses. Yet, as talent becomes more mobile and cross-border operations expand across a region where legal protections can vary significantly, MENA employers face heightened risks when employees exit. This expert panel will explore how businesses can mitigate the risk of departing employees taking sensitive information to competitors or using it to launch their own rival ventures. A panel of local experts will examine the legal landscape of restrictive covenants, explain how enforceability and scope differ across key markets, and provide top tips on how to best keep your secrets protected.

Moderator: 
Luke Tapp, Partner, Pinsent Masons (United Arab Emirates)

Panellists: 
Ahmed Shoukry, Head of Legal, Senior Managing Counsel, Dell Technologies (United Arab Emirates)
Patricia Wardrop, Associate General Counsel EMEA - People Legal, McKinsey & Company (United Arab Emirates)
Mohammad Abandah, AVP Head of Legal, GCC, MetLife (United Arab Emirates)
Thenji Moyo, Partner, Gateley Middle East (United Arab Emirates)

10.30 – 11.00 – Coffee break

11.00 – 12.00 – Breakout Session 1: How labour market protections are reshaping global mobility policies

Global businesses are increasingly looking to inject foreign expertise into MENA to support innovation, diversification, and strategic growth. However, labour market protection policies in key jurisdictions are reshaping the mobility of expert foreign talent into the region. This expert panel will dissect how localisation rules influence cross-border talent flows, regional HQ requirements, and the rise of dual contract arrangements.

Moderator:
Joanna Matthews-Taylor, Partner, Baker McKenzie (United Arab Emirates)

Panellists:
Ahmad Hesham, General Counsel, Senior Legal Advisor, Ministry of HR & Emiratisation
Haider Hussain, Partner, Fragomen (United Arab Emirates)
Mohsin Khan, Partner, Al Tamimi & Co. (Saudi Arabia)
Rachael Sands, Senior Legal Counsel, Abdul Latif Jameel (United Arab Emirates)

11.00 – 12.00 – Breakout Session 2: Managing a rising tide of harassment and discrimination risk

Regional employers are navigating a rapidly evolving landscape of employment rights, with a particular uptick in harassment and discrimination claims. This expert panel will explore the key drivers behind the growth in such complaints, including cultural change, greater employee awareness, regulatory developments, and the influence of global compliance standards. Delegates will receive best practice advice on how to mitigate the risk of such complaints and tackle them head on should they arise.

Moderator:
Sabrina Saxena, Partner, Al Tamimi & Co. (United Arab Emirates)

Panellists: 
Luigia Ingianni, Commissioner of the QFC Employment Standards Office (Qatar)
Oscar Abraham, Senior Corporate Counsel, Ellucian (United Arab Emirates)
Peter Linstead, Barrister, Outer Temple (United Kingdom)
Sharif Hamadeh, Regional Head of Litigation, Regulatory Enforcement & Investigations, HSBC (United Arab Emirates)

12.00 – 13.30 – Networking lunch

13.30 – 14.30 – Breakout Session 3: Understanding the fallout of workplace defamation

Workplace conflicts in the MENA region can quickly cross legal boundaries. For instance, disciplinary processes and internal investigations can inadvertently result in accusations of criminal defamation by aggrieved employees, while online criticism of the state can likewise attract the authorities. Using real-world examples, the expert panel will delve into how everyday workplace grievances may evolve into criminal matters, while guiding employers on how to manage risks and respond effectively to external scrutiny.

Moderator:
Atul Gupta, Partner, Trilegal (India)

Panellists: 
Ali Al Assaad, Senior Corporate Counsel, Dentons (United Arab Emirates)
Rachel Hill, Partner, Addleshaw Goddard (United Arab Emirates)
Rianna Lobo, General Counsel, Sodexo (United Arab Emirates)
Sairah Narmah-Alqasim, Partner, Pinsent Masons (Saudi Arabia)

13.30 – 14.30 – Breakout Session 4: Free to whistleblow? Unpacking DIFC vs ADGM regulations

Whistleblowing frameworks are evolving rapidly, particularly within the UAE’s financial free zones. With the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) each establishing their own approaches to whistleblowing protections, stakeholders must navigate differing regulatory expectations and compliance requirements. This session will compare and contrast the two regimes, highlight insights from the Dubai Financial Services Authority’s (DFSA) thematic review of whistleblowing arrangements, and assess the implications of the ADGM’s new regulations. Panellists will also explore the practical challenges in implementing effective whistleblowing frameworks and the broader cultural and legal considerations across the Middle East.

Moderator: 
Lisa Bryson, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland (United Arab Emirates)

Panellists: 
Chris Bailey Gibbs, Head of Employment, Hadef & Partners (United Arab Emirates)
Edward Kemp KC, Barrister, Matrix Chambers (United Kingdom)
Naila Sarwar, Group Head of Employee Relations, Emirates NBD (United Arab Emirates)

2.30 – 2.45 – Comfort break

2.45 – 3.45 – Breakout Session 5: Inside track: a roadmap for DIFC employment disputes

The DIFC has become a preferred venue for resolving employment disputes within Dubai’s financial free zone. This panel will take attendees step-by-step through the lifecycle of an employment case filed in the DIFC, from pre-claim considerations through to final judgment and beyond. Using real-world examples and procedural insights, panellists will offer guidance on strategic decision-making, procedural expectations, and potential pitfalls.

Moderator: 
Kiersten Lucas, Partner, Stephenson Harwood 

Panellists:
James Bickford Smith, Barrister, Littleton Chambers (United Kingdom)
Rebecca Ford, Partner, Morgan Lewis Piper (United Arab Emirates)
Rebecca Genty-Nott, Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Branch Octogone (United Arab Emirates)

2.45 – 3.45 – Breakout Session 6: Smarter workforces, sharper risks: AI in the Middle East

Across the Middle East, governments are investing heavily in artificial intelligence as part of ambitious national strategies to diversify economies and accelerate digital transformation. As adoption accelerates in both the public and private sectors, employers must navigate emerging legal frameworks and cultural considerations around data use, workplace rights, and accountability. This session will bring together regional legal experts to explore the employment law challenges AI poses for multinationals operating in the region and their workforces.

Moderator:
Nadia Akhter, Senior Associate, DLA Piper (United Arab Emirates)

Panellists:
David Van Lochem, CEO & Co-founder, Augmented Workforce (United Arab Emirates)
Khaled Shivji, Founder, S. AI. L, (United Arab Emirates)

3.45 – 4.15 – Coffee break

4.15 – 5.15 – Plenary Session 2: Competing or cheating? How to enforce restrictive covenants in MENA

Losing key employees or entire teams to competitors poses serious risks for businesses in the MENA region – especially when trade secrets or sensitive information are involved. Illustrated by recent high-profile disputes from across the region, this expert panel will explore the legal toolbox employers have at their disposal to protect business interests and seek redress from defecting workers and their competitor firms.

Moderator:
Ben Brown, Partner, Clyde & Co Piper (United Arab Emirates)

Panellists:
Christiana O'Connell-Schizas, Partner, Baker McKenzie (Saudi Arabia)
Jane McCafferty KC, Barrister, 11KBW (United Kingdom)
Elizabeth Williamson, Global Labour & Employment Law Leader (United Arab Emirates)

17.15 – 17.30 – Closing remarks from International Employment Lawyer

17.30 onwards – Close and networking drinks reception