The Empty Bench

Only 3 of 14 critical roles have a ready successor, and four leaders retire within two years. The CHRO wants an executive programme for the 40 high-potentials on her list.

The requestClaim

Our succession bench is empty and the CEO retires in two years. I want an executive leadership programme, ideally with a business school, for our 40 high-potentials, so that we have ready-now successors within 18 months.

From Haifa Al-Sudairi, Chief Human Resources Officer

Organisation: Souq Al-Khaleej Retail Group

Sector: Retail
Size: 7,200 employees, four business units

A profitable, founder-led retail group expanding into e-commerce and 60 new stores. Most of the senior team joined in the group's early years.

Strategic priorities

Open 60 stores and scale e-commerce to 20% of sales in three years
A smooth CEO and executive transition
Build leaders from within

Who you can interview

Haifa Al-Sudairi
Chief Human Resources Officer
Abdulrahman Al-Khaleej
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Mohammed Al-Ruwaili
Head of Electronics Business Unit
Lama Al-Harbi
Head of Talent Management
Managers Under 45
Focus group: 6 managers rated high-potential by the assessment centre