World renowned strategy & innovation guru Gary Hamel to address senior bankers

His address on 11 December during the Leaders & Winning Strategies session of the Conference will focus on "Harnessing Innovation to Create Breakthrough Strategies for Growth", an issue of critical relevance in the intensely competitive banking and finance market, where executive teams are continually searching for breakthrough strategies that will provide their bank with competitive advantage.

Supporting this focus on innovation, WIBC is also delighted to announce the Bahrain Financial Services Development Bureau as Economic Development Partner of this year's event.

Jane Dellar, Managing Director of Bahrain Financial Services Development Bureau, commented that: "Competitive advantage is more than just another buzzword. It's now a vital capability for a financial services institution - especially as exciting growth in the industry brings with it ever greater pressures from competitors to innovate and perform. We view our strategic involvement with WIBC as an important platform for the further successful development of the industry."

The BFSDB plays a key role in the international profiling of Bahrain as a world-class financial centre and attractive destination for major financial institutions, building on Bahrain's existing position as the hub of a vibrant financial services market.

Gary Hamel is one of the most sought after minds when the CEOs of major organisations across the globe look for inspiration when setting strategies that will give them breakthrough advantage over their competitors. The Economist labels Prof. Hamel "the world's reigning strategy guru." As the author of concepts such as "strategic intent," "core competence," "corporate imagination" and "industry revolution," Hamel has changed the focus and language of strategy in many of the world's most successful companies. In his work with leading companies throughout the world, Hamel has helped management teams create rule-breaking strategies that have created billions of dollars in new wealth.

Professor Hamel's landmark book, "Competing for the Future", was Business Week's management book of the year and has appeared on every management best-seller list. Having been translated into more than 20 languages, it is the best-selling book on business strategy. Hamel's latest book, "Leading the Revolution" is another global best seller. Industry revolutionaries like Richard Branson and Michael Dell have described the book as the essential guide to business innovation.

To add an industry perspective, Hamel will be joined in his session by Arul Kandasamy, Head of Islamic Banking at Barclays Capital, who will share his insights on the challenges and opportunities for innovation and customer service excellence within a major international bank. The session will conclude with a powerful interactive Q&A session, moderated by Dina Al Salem, Program Editor & Presenter at Al Arabiya News Channel.

The Leaders & Winning Strategies Keynote Session will also feature Tom Peters, one of the most influential management thinkers of all time, and will ensure that a powerful and unique platform for strategic discussion is created for senior banking executives.