As part of our ongoing commitment to leadership excellence within Cognita, over 350 school and operational leaders from across the Middle East came together on Friday, 23rd August, aboard the iconic QE2 in Dubai for our Middle East Leadership Conference 2024. This inspiring event was an opportunity to strengthen connections, exchange innovative ideas, and drive forward our shared strategic goals within the Cognita Middle East community.

Over the course of the conference, participants engaged in enriching discussions on a variety of pertinent topics, including the future of education leadership, cultural integration within schools, and strategies for personal and professional growth. Damian Hughes, host of the High Performance podcast and a renowned expert in leadership and organisational psychology, delivered the keynote address. His insights on fostering team resilience and adaptability captivated the audience, particularly his emphasis on embracing challenges as a pathway to growth.

The conference also featured the much-anticipated Owards ceremony, celebrating exceptional contributions to the Cognita Quality Framework’s key pillars: Holistic Education, Leadership, Growth, and Operational Excellence.

Congratulations to the following individuals and teams:

  • Ambition in action – Claire Gilbody
  • Innovator – Maddison Lewis
  • Team spirit – Ellie Honey
  • Together we thrive – Ranches Primary School Leadership Team
  • Passionate leader – Stephen Davis
  • Care and compassion – Annette Drake
  • School of the Year – Horizon International School
  • Special recognition – Elaine Burrell

The Cognita Middle East Leadership Conference 2024 exemplified our collective dedication to nurturing a culture of connection—connection to our shared values, to each other as colleagues, and to individual leadership journeys.

To read more about the other Leadership Conferences, for example from Cognita Asia, click here.