For more than two decades, Ahmed Al‑Mahmood has stood out as one of the UAE’s most respected government advisors, excellence assessors, and leadership trainers. His career is a testament to dedication, strategic thinking, and an unwavering commitment to developing leaders and strengthening government performance. Today, he is recognized as a key contributor to major government strategic projects, a mentor to organizational leaders, and one of the first GCC nationals to obtain the prestigious Sheikh Khalifa Government Excellence Model Assessor GEM 2.0 Diploma.
Ahmed’s journey began in 2003 at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), where he joined as an HR coordinator and assistant senior training officer. Although his entry into the training department was temporary, it became the foundation of a lifelong mission. At NBAD, he managed staff training programs for UAE nationals and led a major customer service training project for branch managers and frontline representatives. This early exposure to leadership development sparked his passion for training and excellence—one that would shape his entire career.
In 2005, Ahmed joined Core Management Consultants, where he served as a consultant, Human Resources Director, and trainer. His role extended across internal and external projects. Internally, he managed all HR operations, ensuring organizational efficiency and strong talent management. Externally, he was deployed to multiple companies to restructure HR departments, solve operational challenges, design new policy systems, and implement performance measurement frameworks. His project management capabilities were evident when he successfully established HR departments for Core’s contractors, serving temporarily as HR Director until the full structure and manpower were in place.
Ahmed’s strategic influence expanded significantly in 2014 when he was assigned by the Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) to rebuild its strategy. Under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi and His Excellency Faisal Al Nuaimi, Ahmed developed a new strategic vision aligned with international standards. His work contributed to correcting the strategic direction of Ajman’s tourism and hospitality sector, positioning ATDD at the forefront of excellence in 2017. He also played a key role in shaping Ajman’s 2021 vision through the Executive Council, reinforcing his reputation as a strategic architect for government transformation.
Today, Ahmed serves the Sharjah Government as a Strategic Planning Chancellor and Government Assessor. His academic foundation—a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from the UK Open University—combined with his extensive experience, enables him to guide government entities with clarity, precision, and innovation.
Purpose, Mission, and Vision
Ahmed’s mission is rooted in a powerful belief: “To create and develop every leader.” He is committed to helping leaders reach maturity in knowledge and skills through excellence methodologies and practical implementation. His career evolved from personal growth to national contribution, driven by a passion for training and the UAE’s vision for leadership development.
He emphasizes that training was the key that unlocked his potential—and the potential of others. His message is clear: “Training is the mother of all skills.” Today, he leads major government projects, builds strategies, and delivers excellence criteria implementation across sectors. His philosophy is simple yet profound: “If you want to lead companies, you have to start leading their strategy.”
Major Achievements
Ahmed’s achievements span multiple government sectors, reflecting his strategic depth and excellence expertise. Among his most notable accomplishments are:
- Developing the Strategy Plan for Sharjah Government Consultative Council
- Designing the Strategic Plan for Sharjah Economic Development Department
- Creating the Strategic Map for Ajman Tourism Development Department, placing it first in Ajman by the Executive Council
- Providing excellence advisory services and qualifying Ajman Transport Authority for government excellence
- Developing the first Agile Model for government and private sectors, successfully tested by seven government entities
His assessment roles further highlight his leadership in excellence:
- Internal assessor for the Ministry of Interior
- Team leader for Mohammed Bin Rashid Business Awards – Family Business Category
- Team leader for Sharjah Excellence Awards
- Jury member for Sharjah Economy Employees Awards
- Main jury assessor for Dubai Quality Group Awards
Looking ahead, Ahmed aims to expand his strategic leadership across the GCC and North Africa, with a special focus on family business strategies and private sector excellence.
Recommendations for Modern Corporates
Ahmed believes that sustainability in today’s competitive market requires adherence to standards and criteria. Companies must build strong pillars—financial stability, information technology, customer experience, and professional employee training. Without standards, he says, organizations lack direction and long‑term resilience.
Insights from Corporate Assessment
For Ahmed, the most interesting aspect of corporate assessment is discovering best practices. Assessors gain immense knowledge during site visits, while companies must demonstrate their evolution from normal practices to competitive and pioneering levels. Excellence, he explains, requires strategic deployment and continuous improvement.
A Message to Readers
Ahmed encourages every professional to embrace training as the path to mastery. Dedication, patience, and consistent learning lead to the discovery of talent and passion. As he beautifully states:
“Training is the mother of all skills, and then let excellence lead the way.”
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