In a business landscape shaped by digital acceleration, workforce transformation, and cross-border talent mobility, HR is no longer a support function — it’s a C-suite priority. Across Oman, a new generation of people leaders is redefining how organisations attract, develop, and retain talent.
The Top 10 Voices in HR, Leadership & People Strategy in Oman (2026) reflect more than LinkedIn visibility. They signal institutional influence, strategic execution, and forward-looking leadership across energy, banking, telecom, hospitality, manufacturing, and conglomerates.
While Oman’s LinkedIn ecosystem is more measured than its regional peers, these leaders are driving real change — implementing digital HR systems, leading nationalization programs, redesigning organizations, and building cultures for the future of work.
Here are the voices shaping Oman’s people strategy landscape in 2026.
Highlights
Ali Al Lawati
As Chief People & Technology Officer at OQ — one of Oman’s most strategic energy companies — Ali Al Lawati operates at the highest level of enterprise leadership in Oman’s energy sector.
His role spans human capital, digital transformation, sustainability, and corporate communications — a scope that signals board-level influence within one of the country’s most strategic companies.
Previously serving as Global Human Resources Director at SLB and Regional Managing Director overseeing over 3,000 employees, he brings both international exposure and operational scale. Therefore, his inclusion reflects national-level impact rather than social visibility alone.
Those who follow his work gain insight into how people strategy integrates with technology, governance, and large-scale organizational performance.
Areej AlShaibani
Areej AlShaibani is one of Oman’s leading voices in Talent Planning and Digital HR Transformation. As Senior Manager – Talent Planning & Mobility at Omantel, she leads enterprise-wide succession governance, performance alignment, and leadership mobility frameworks within one of the country’s most influential corporations.
Previously serving as Director of Human Resource Development within Oman’s technology and telecommunications authorities, she played a key role in a national-level merger impacting over 2,800 employees — institutionalizing talent strategy, change governance, and culture frameworks during a critical structural transition.
She holds an MSc from Cranfield University focused on AI’s impact on HRD, positioning her as an early regional advocate of AI-enabled learning ecosystems.
Recognized as a Top 20 Young Achiever in the GCC and Leader of the Year in Talent Planning & Mobility (2025), Areej is known for advancing agile succession — enabling direct leadership appointments and strengthening business continuity across sectors.
Mohammed Abdulrhem Al Bolaushi
Mohammed Abdulrhem Al Bolaushi currently serves as Chief of People and Culture at Rock International Group and has held senior HR leadership roles within major conglomerates such as Saud Bahwan Group. Operating within diversified enterprise environments, he oversees performance systems, compensation frameworks, and succession planning at scale.
His leadership across multiple large business groups demonstrates sustained executive trust rather than isolated roles. Furthermore, his emphasis on leveraging technology and data in HR reflects a structured, modern approach to human capital management.
He was chosen for his leadership within complex corporate structures. Following his perspective offers practical lessons in scaling people systems across multi-industry environments.
Safia Adam Mohamed Ahmed
As Acting Head of HR at Oman Flour Mills Company (S.A.O.G), Safia Adam Mohamed Ahmed operates within a publicly listed corporate environment where governance, compliance, and performance alignment are essential.
Additionally, her leadership reflects structured workforce planning and steady HR management within the manufacturing and FMCG sectors. In regulated environments, HR must balance operational control with strategic alignment — and her role demonstrates that balance.
Her leadership illustrates how people strategy functions within regulated industrial settings. Observing her work provides a valuable perspective on governance-driven HR execution.
Basim Al Hasani
Basim Al Hasani leads HR within globally recognized hospitality brands as Senior HR Leader for IHG Oman and Director of Human Resources at InterContinental Muscat. Working under the IHG umbrella reflects alignment with international HR standards and service excellence frameworks.
In hospitality, where workforce performance directly impacts guest experience, HR leadership carries operational weight. Therefore, his role represents strategic people management within a high-performance service environment.
He was selected to represent global-brand HR leadership in Oman. Professionals looking to understand culture-building within global hospitality brands can gain meaningful insights from his leadership journey.
Safa Al Balushi
Safa Al Balushi currently serves as Human Resources Manager at The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort and previously held leadership roles in learning and development across Ritz-Carlton and Sheraton properties. Her experience in pre-opening environments, including task-force leadership in Morocco, demonstrates hands-on expertise in building a learning culture from inception.
Moreover, she is a Winner of the Young Hotelier Middle East Award, which provides external recognition of her impact in hospitality HR.
She was chosen for her strong focus on learning culture and talent development within luxury brands. Those interested in cultivating learning-driven cultures within luxury environments will find her perspective particularly relevant.
Yousuf Al-Araimi
As AGM – Head of Human Capital at Oman Housing Bank, Yousuf Al-Araimi operates at the center of people strategy within one of Oman’s key regulated financial institutions, bringing 17+ years of HR leadership across banking and oil & gas.
Previously, he led Organizational Development, Total Rewards, HR digitalization, and Talent Planning & Acquisition at Sohar International, partnering closely with executive leadership to translate strategy into scalable, data-led workforce solutions—while delivering strong impact through cultural transformation and leadership alignment.
With an MBA from the University of Strathclyde (UK) and recognition as one of the few HR professionals in Oman to hold the SHRM-SCP, he demonstrates advanced capability in enterprise-level people leadership. Extending this work beyond the organisation, he is an active thought leader who publishes articles and insights on HR strategy, leadership, and workforce modernization across the region.
He was selected for driving HR digital transformation within regulated financial institutions. Following him provides insight into system-driven workforce modernization, cultural transformation, succession planning, and sustainable performance in regulated environments.
Mohammed Ali Al Nadabi
Mohammed Ali Al Nadabi currently serves as Organization Development Manager at Renaissance Services and previously held leadership roles in learning and development at IKEA and Oman Refreshment Company. His experience managing training budgets, performance systems, and engagement programs reflects structured OD expertise.
In addition, as a TEDx Speaker and LinkedIn Learning Community Member, he extends his influence beyond corporate walls into public thought leadership.
He was selected for combining operational OD leadership with visible thought contribution. Those exploring performance culture, well-being integration, and future-ready workforce models can draw valuable lessons from his approach.
Marwa Al Kharusi
Marwa Al Kharusi serves as Chief People Officer at National Finance and brings over 22 years of executive HR experience across Deloitte Consulting, Ooredoo Group, and Ominvest. Holding senior leadership roles within well-known regional and global organizations provides clear institutional credibility.
Furthermore, she has led nationalization initiatives, organizational redesign, and executive-level advisory functions, positioning her as a strategic partner to leadership teams.
She was chosen for her cross-industry executive experience and transformational leadership. Professionals following her can gain insight into governance, diversity, and executive-level workforce strategy.
Mahira Al Raisi
Mahira Al Raisi currently serves as Chief People Officer at Sohar International, where she leads talent planning, succession strategy, and HR digital initiatives within a competitive banking environment. Her progression through senior HR leadership roles within the institution reflects sustained organizational trust.
Operating in financial services — a sector requiring high compliance and performance discipline — reinforces the strategic weight of her position.
She was selected for driving a structured, performance-aligned people strategy within Oman’s banking sector. Observing her work provides a valuable perspective on high-performance HR governance in banking.
Final Thoughts: Architects of Oman’s Workforce Future
The Top 10 Voices in HR, Leadership & People Strategy in Oman (2026) demonstrate that influence is not defined solely by scale, but by substance. Collectively, these leaders are embedding digital systems, leading institutional transformation, strengthening national talent pipelines, and shaping cultures that align with Oman’s economic ambitions.
As Oman accelerates its economic diversification agenda, people strategy will determine which organizations lead and which lag. Therefore, these voices are not only shaping today’s workforce conversations — they are helping define the future of leadership in Oman.
For professionals, founders, and executives alike, following these leaders offers a window into how strategic HR is powering sustainable business transformation across the country.
Highlights
Read the Chinese article here.
