Independent Food Company, a leading food and beverage company in the UAE & KSA, has appointed Ahmad Al Cheikh Hassan as Head of Human Resources, effective February 2025.  

Announcing the news on LinkedIn, Ahmad shared, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Head of Human Resources at Independent Food Company!

At Independent, growth is a milestone, innovation is a habit, and food alone is not enough. I’m excited to be part of a company that values talent, creativity, and purpose. Looking forward to collaborating with Independent’s leaders to build a culture where people thrive and innovation remains at the heart of everything we do!”  

Ahmad brings over 15 years of HR leadership and advisory experience to his new role. He most recently served as Head of HR for Talent Nexa - UAE, a consulting firm he co-founded in 2024 to elevate HR practices, unlock untapped potential within organisations, and drive innovation, productivity, and ultimately, success.  

In his previous roles, Ahmad worked with Cravia Inc. as Head of HR for nearly a decade and, prior to that, served Emirates Flight Catering as HR Supervisor, Jubaili Bros as HR Officer, and Hammoud Hospital University Medical Center as HR Administrator.  

Ahmad holds exceptional academic credentials, with an MBA from the American University of Science and Technology, a master’s degree in HR Management from the University of Costa Field, and a bachelor’s degree in banking and finance from the Lebanese International University.

He has also earned an Associate Diploma in People Management from the CIPD and certifications as a Certified HR OD Practitioner and in Employee Experience and Design Thinking from AIHR, Employee Experience from The Future of Work University, and Design Thinking for HR from Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University. Additionally, he holds certifications in Strategic Thinking, Digital HR Strategy, People Management Skills, Strategic HR Business Partner, Managing Talent, The Future of Performance Management, Human Capital Management, and Coaching and Leadership Development from leading institutions.  

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Ahmad is a strong advocate for people development, empathetic leadership, and a culture that nurtures growth, inclusivity, collaboration, and integrity. He believes in leveraging data-driven insights to create impactful HR solutions that align with business goals and drive sustainable growth. As a trusted advisor to executive leadership, he is committed to “shaping the future of work, staying ahead of industry trends, and creating environments that inspire innovation and unlock potential.”