Gulf Capital Investment Company K.S.C.C. “InvestGB”, the investment arm of Gulf Bank, hosted an “Interns’ Day” event featuring a special panel discussion titled “The Journey to Success in the World of Investment: Professional and Investment Lessons from the Financial and Investment Sector.” The session brought together leading figures from Kuwait’s investment and business community to share their professional experiences and the key lessons learned throughout their careers, highlighting the skills and habits that help young people build a successful professional and financial future.
Moderated by Mr. Talal AlKhamis, Director of Equities and Fixed Income at InvestGB, the session explored major milestones of professional success in the investment sector, the skills and qualities that distinguish promising talent, and the importance of early investment in both money and self, alongside lessons drawn from the careers of leading financial and investment figures.
The panel featured Ms. Lamia Karam, Chairperson of InvestGB and General Manager of Treasury at Gulf Bank; Mr. Mohammed Jaffar, Managing Partner at Faith Capital Holding; Ms. Dalal Al Rayes, CEO and Co-Founder of Spare and Board Member at Gulf Bank; and Mr. Tareq AlSaleh, Managing Director of Wealth Management at InvestGB.
The session was attended by a number of leading figures from Kuwait’s institutional and business community, including Ms. Layla AlMutairi, CEO of INJAZ Kuwait; Ms. Fadwa Darwish, Secretary General of the Union of Investment Companies; Mr. Dari Al Bader, General Manager of Corporate Affairs at Gulf Bank and Board Member at InvestGB; Mr. Abdulrahman AlKhubaizi, Assistant General Manager of Private Banking at Gulf Bank and Board Member at InvestGB; Ms. Anoud AlHathran, Independent Board Member at InvestGB; Mr. Hani AlAwadhi, Vice Chairman and CEO of InvestGB; and Mr. Ammar Hajeyah, Chief Investment Officer of InvestGB.
Speakers addressed a range of topics, including how they began their careers and entered the world of investment and financial services, the skills required to build a successful career in the investment sector, and the importance of taking calculated professional risks and learning from experience. The session also covered how to manage a first salary and build sound investment habits from an early age, the importance of self-investment in achieving professional and personal success, the qualities that distinguish promising talent in the workplace, and the top advice speakers wished they had known at the start of their careers.
Commenting on the occasion, Ms. Sara AlMuzaini, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at InvestGB, said: “Through this session, we wanted to provide our interns the opportunity to meet inspiring leaders who have succeeded in this sector and hear directly about their professional experiences and the lessons they have learned along the way. Learning from real world experiences leaves a far deeper impact on young people than any theoretical discussion.”
She added: “Investing in young minds today is an investment in Kuwait’s future, and we are proud to provide opportunities that empower the next generation and open meaningful, purposeful career paths for them. At InvestGB, we do not simply build a professional work environment; we work to establish a comprehensive professional community built on continuous growth and shared purpose, which is directly reflected in our excellence as a leading company.”
This initiative reflects InvestGB’s ongoing commitment to supporting Kuwaiti youth and empowering national talent. In May, the company announced the launch of the fourth edition of its “IGB Internship Program,” a step that underscores its role as one of the most active private sector companies in supporting and developing young talent in Kuwait.
The program offers hands on training and outstanding opportunities for professional development and employment for Kuwaiti youth, with many participants successfully transitioning to full time roles at InvestGB. Since its launch in 2023, the program has attracted more than 100 interns from high schools and universities, as well as bachelor’s and master’s degree holders, with participants from more than 20 local and international universities, including Kuwait University, Gulf University for Science and Technology, the American University of Kuwait, Babson College, Bentley University, Columbia University, MIT, Cornell University, UCLA, and King’s College London.
The program has given interns real-world, hands-on experience and opportunities to develop the personal and professional skills needed to keep pace with the evolving job market, with 10% of participants joining the company after completing the program, reflecting the initiative’s success as an effective platform for discovering, attracting, and developing national talent.
InvestGB’s investment team comprises 47 investment specialists, 60% of whom are Kuwaiti, while women represent 45% of the total workforce. At the leadership level, Kuwaitis hold 80% of executive positions at the company, figures that underscore InvestGB’s commitment to developing national talent, fostering a diverse and high performing work environment, and contributing to shaping the future of Kuwait’s financial and investment sector.
