Dubai: Serco, a leading provider of public services, has promoted its Chief People and Culture Officer Hana Abu Kharmeh to Chief Operations Officer (COO) – a new role for the Middle East region. Hana will now lead the company’s technology and transition teams, in addition to continuing to oversee the Middle East’s human resources (HR) and workforce management (WFM) functions.
The promotion comes following a period of growth for the business, with Serco continuing to strengthen its technology capabilities as a key enabler for its people-led service offering. Hana will now be instrumental in driving forward innovation, whilst ensuring the quality and consistency of delivery are maintained.
Effective immediately, the new role will see Hana bring together her leadership skills having previously led Serco’s people department for the past five years, where she was instrumental in positioning Serco as an employer of choice for nationals, developing local talent and fostering a culture of employee growth and wellbeing.
Reporting to Phil Malem, Serco Middle East’s CEO, Hana will continue to sit on Serco’s executive leadership team, where over 50% of the positions are held by women. Additionally, 42% of critical management roles are also held by female employees. In 2023, 19% of promotions and new roles went to women, a clear trajectory towards an equitable workplace. These figures signal the effectiveness of Serco’s inclusive policies and wider commitment to bringing the government’s national visions to life and impacting a better future.
Phil Malem, CEO of Serco Middle East said: “I congratulate Hana on her promotion to Chief Operations Officer. Hana has been a pivotal part of our success story, expertly leading our people function with dedication and foresight. Her proven leadership skills are true assets to the business, and in her new role, I’m looking forward to Hana further embedding her innovative mindset and striving for continuous improvement in our culture.
“At Serco we are committed to establishing a workplace where diversity thrives and career advancement, regardless of gender, is supported through internal policies and strategy. Hana’s journey is a prime example and I hope her promotion is an inspiration to other women, both inside and outside Serco.”
Hana Abu Kharmeh, Chief Operations Officer at Serco Middle East said: “I’m privileged to be taking on this new position, working closely with Phil and the team to deliver exceptional service to our customers. As we continue to invest in our end-to-end capabilities and services, we are strengthening our offering in the region, cementing our role as a trusted partner to governmental organisations. Technology and innovation are at the heart of what we do – bringing together the right people, the right technology and the right partners to create innovative solutions that make a positive impact and address some of the most urgent and complex challenges facing the modern world.”
