Gulf Elite and Kerning Merge to Form Highphen, Redefining HR Consulting in Middle East

The strategic merger of Gulf Elite and Kerning into Highphen represents a significant development in the Middle Eastern HR consulting landscape, creating a comprehensive talent management partner for both public and private sector organizations across the region. This consolidation brings together Gulf Elite's established market presence since 2009 with Kerning's innovative approaches developed since 2021, forming an entity capable of addressing the GCC's unique recruitment challenges through combined expertise and expanded service offerings.

Highphen's formation signals the growing sophistication of HR services in the Middle East, where organizations increasingly require partners who understand local market dynamics while implementing global best practices. The merger enables the new entity to leverage Gulf Elite's deep regional knowledge and established reputation for filling key leadership roles alongside Kerning's focus on organizational transformation and cutting-edge technologies. This combination is particularly important as businesses in sectors such as FMCG, healthcare, construction, and hospitality seek more integrated talent solutions that can support their growth and transformation strategies.

The timing of this merger coincides with increased focus on specialized recruitment services in the region, demonstrated by Highphen's 2024 launch of Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) services that offer custom solutions to streamline hiring and improve operational efficiency. The partnership with the Top Employers Institute in Saudi Arabia further strengthens Highphen's capability to deliver world-class recruitment services, addressing the growing demand for qualified leadership talent across Middle Eastern markets. These developments are accessible through their online presence at https://www.highphen.com.

Notably, Highphen has embarked on sustainability hiring projects, aligning recruitment processes with the increasing corporate emphasis on environmentally responsible practices. This focus on sustainability hiring reflects the broader regional shift toward ESG considerations in business operations and talent acquisition. The firm's strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Beaumont Group and Odgers Berndtson enhance its global reach while maintaining strong regional expertise, creating a unique value proposition for clients seeking both local understanding and international standards.

As Middle Eastern economies continue to diversify and transform, the emergence of consolidated HR consulting firms like Highphen indicates maturation in the professional services sector. The combined expertise of founders Khalid AlKhudairi's operational excellence background and George Aoun's transformation experience positions Highphen to play a crucial role in supporting organizations through their growth journeys. This merger matters because it represents the evolution of HR consulting in the region toward more comprehensive, technology-enabled, and sustainability-conscious solutions that can effectively address the complex talent needs of modern Middle Eastern businesses.