Exclusive Interview: Anwar Hussain Mohammed of Social Hive, HR Assistant Manager Kuwait, on Two Decades of HR Leadership in Oil & Gas
Early Foundations: Discovering the Power of Talent and Human Capital
Anwar Hussain Mohammed began his professional journey in India in 2005, starting as a recruiter with Esoft. From the very beginning, he was drawn to the transformative impact that the right talent can have on an organization. Recruitment offered him a front-row view into how people, when placed correctly, drive performance, culture, and long-term success.
His early career progressed rapidly as he moved into senior recruitment roles with global organizations such as Accenture and IBM. During this phase, Anwar gained extensive exposure to campus hiring, lateral recruitment, and large-scale staffing operations. These formative years equipped him with strong process discipline, speed, and operational rigor—capabilities that laid a solid foundation for his future leadership roles in human resources.
Transition to Kuwait and the Oil & Gas Industry
Anwar Hussain Mohammed’s move to Kuwait marked a defining chapter in his career. Drawn to the oil and gas sector in 2013 through his role at Weatherford, he quickly recognized that HR in this industry is far more than an administrative function. Oil and gas operations demand precision, compliance, and accountability, where every role directly impacts safety, productivity, and operational continuity.
Working within this high-stakes environment strengthened Anwar’s understanding of workforce management in technically demanding and compliance-driven settings. The complexity of managing crews, ensuring alignment with labor regulations, and supporting drilling and field operations motivated him to deepen his expertise and grow as a strategic HR professional within the sector.
Leading HR Operations at Kuwait Drilling Company
Today, Anwar Hussain Mohammed serves as HR Assistant Manager at Kuwait Drilling Company (KDC), where he carries full managerial responsibilities in line with Kuwaitization policies. He oversees HR operations for a workforce exceeding 1,050 employees, including engineers, supervisors, and technical staff seconded to KOC, KGOC, Joint Operations, and KPC.
His role spans end-to-end HR operations, including recruitment, onboarding, contract administration, payroll coordination, grievance handling, and strict compliance with Kuwait labour laws. Leading a dedicated team of HR officers alongside a government relations (PRO) unit, Anwar ensures smooth coordination between internal stakeholders and national oil entities, maintaining operational continuity across multiple projects.
Managing Scale, Diversity, and Complexity
One of the most significant challenges Anwar faces is managing a large, diverse workforce operating in demanding field environments. Employees come from varied cultural and professional backgrounds, working under high-pressure conditions where accuracy and responsiveness are critical.
Ensuring timely recruitment, resolving grievances, coordinating with multiple K-Companies, and maintaining compliance with Kuwait’s labor regulations requires constant communication and precision. For Anwar, however, these challenges are also a source of motivation—pushing him to remain proactive, structured, and solution-oriented in his approach.
Global Recruitment and Industry-Specific Expertise
Anwar Hussain Mohammed has led and coordinated recruitment campaigns across multiple countries, particularly for oil and gas roles that demand specialized technical skills. He believes successful hiring in this sector requires a combination of technical understanding, cultural awareness, and speed.
Recruitment in oil and gas is not simply about filling vacancies; it is about identifying individuals who can perform safely, adapt quickly, and operate effectively in high-risk environments. His experience has enabled him to balance technical competence with behavioral fit and safety mindset—an essential equation in this industry.
Mastery of Kuwait Labour Law and Compliance
A defining strength of Anwar’s HR leadership is his in-depth knowledge of Kuwait labour law. He has worked extensively with all 150 articles governing employment in the private sector, covering contracts, disciplinary procedures, employee rights, and compliance frameworks.
This legal expertise allows him to protect both organizational interests and employee rights, ensuring fairness, transparency, and operational stability. In a sector where compliance is non-negotiable, his command of labor regulations has become a cornerstone of his professional credibility.
Pride in Building Teams and Strengthening Systems
When reflecting on his achievements, Anwar Hussain Mohammed takes the greatest pride in building HR teams that perform effectively even under pressure. At Kuwait Drilling Company, he has streamlined recruitment processes, strengthened coordination with K-Companies, improved employee relations, and enhanced HR reporting systems.
Equally important to him is mentoring HR officers and PRO teams. Developing people, sharing knowledge, and building future HR leaders remains one of the most rewarding aspects of his role.
Leadership Shaped by International Experience
Having worked extensively in both India and Kuwait, Anwar’s leadership style reflects the best of both environments. His experience in India instilled speed, volume handling, and process discipline, while Kuwait refined his approach to compliance, precision, and stakeholder management.
Today, his leadership style is structured, people-centric, and solution-driven—focused on balancing operational efficiency with employee well-being.
Motivation, Purpose, and the Road Ahead
What continues to motivate Anwar Hussain Mohammed is the tangible impact HR can make when done right. When employees feel supported, operations run smoothly, and recruitment aligns with business objectives, HR becomes a true value creator. He takes pride in acting as a bridge between management and employees, ensuring alignment, trust, and shared success.
Looking ahead, Anwar is focused on advancing into more strategic HR leadership roles where he can contribute to policy development, workforce planning, and organizational transformation. With his extensive experience in oil and gas, labor law, and large-scale HR operations, he is well-positioned to take on the next level of responsibility and continue shaping resilient, compliant, and people-driven organizations.
Connect with Anwar Hussain Mohammed on LinkedIn to gain industry insights
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