American risk management company, Aon Corporation, has launched a new Reward Academy in Dubai and appointed Martin McGuigan as head of reward consulting.

This is in response to feedback gathered by the company as part of its Qudurat research report, indicating that there is a growing thirst among GCC nationals for more innovative and rounded rewards packages.

McGuigan, who will be based in Dubai, joins Aon Hewitt from Towers Watson where he was head of executive compensation and reward in the Middle East, having previously spent a decade with the firm in London.

As part of his new role, he will be responsible for, using findings from such research to develop new strategies for companies operating across the GCC, with the goal of further improving organisational performance and employee satisfaction.

The company’s new Reward Academy is an initiative which presents HR professionals, including current clients in the GCC, with a structured training programme. 

McGuigan said the idea came about following regular discussions with clients, who expressed their desire to develop the technical capabilities of their compensation and benefits teams.

Dr Markus Wiesner, CEO, Aon Hewitt, Middle East, said: “McGuigan’s appointment and programmes such as this will bring great strength to our existing rewards practice here in the Middle East.”

Aon Hewitt’s Reward Academy is a two-day course tailored to the specific needs of each of the six GCC markets and will take place in seven cities across the region.

The course will be offered free-of-charge to those who participate in Aon Hewitt’s 2012 compensation survey. – TradeArabia News Service