Laurent Samson is a senior Talent Acquisition and HR leader with over 20 years of experience designing and delivering recruitment strategies across EMEA. He has held leadership roles at SAP, AXA, and Kenexa (IBM), where he built scalable hiring functions, led executive and high-volume recruitment, and drove nationalisation and Diversity & Inclusion programs across complex, high-growth markets. Laurent also brings expertise in Total Rewards and HR transformation, having advised on compensation frameworks, union negotiations, and well-being strategies. A dual French-British national and Dubai Golden Visa holder, he combines deep regional expertise with a global perspective to align people strategies with business growth.
What’s a recent professional achievement of yours that you are proud of?
In short, Laurent is a strategic Talent Acquisition leader who combines over two decades of experience in building scalable, high-performing recruitment functions with deep expertise in HR transformation and Total Rewards. He has a proven record of designing and executing large-scale hiring programs, exceeding nationalisation goals, and driving Diversity & Inclusion and employer branding initiatives across EMEA. His career reflects a consistent ability to align talent strategies with business growth, influence senior stakeholders, and deliver measurable results in complex, multinational environments.
What is your prediction for the future of the TA industry?
The TA landscape across the GCC is shifting rapidly as organisations balance localisation mandates with global talent competition. Over the next few years:
AI and automation will reshape sourcing and assessment, driving smarter, faster, and bias-aware hiring decisions.
Nationalisation will remain central, with firms strengthening Emiratisation and Saudisation pipelines through university partnerships and upskilling programs.
Skills-based hiring will replace traditional job structures, emphasising agility and capability over titles.
Employer branding will focus on authenticity and purpose to attract both regional and international talent.
Data and analytics will become the TA leader’s most powerful tool for workforce planning and business influence.
Hybrid and borderless recruitment will expand, allowing GCC firms to tap into a broader global talent pool.
TA leaders will evolve into strategic advisors, blending analytics, cultural intelligence, and business partnership to shape the workforce of the future.
What projects are you planning on working on in 2026?
In 2026, Laurent aims to leverage over two decades of Talent Acquisition and HR leadership experience to drive strategic workforce transformation across the GCC and Europe. Following 15 years with SAP, he is focused on senior roles in Talent Acquisition, HR Advisory, or HR Transformation, where he can shape scalable hiring strategies, nationalisation programs, and data-driven people initiatives. Alongside this, Laurent is exploring advisory opportunities supporting organisations in building modern, AI-enabled, and purpose-driven talent functions aligned with business growth.