Sam Bowler

Head of Talent

Dubai, United Arab Emirates4 yrs 7 mos experience

Key Highlights

Scaled talent acquisition post-Series B funding.
Implemented performance management systems for structured feedback.
Achieved significant hiring milestones in fast-paced environments.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a Fintech Talent Acquisition Expert with a strong focus on performance management.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Talent AcquisitionPerformance Management

Other Skills

OnboardingOKRsKPI SettingRecruitment PoliciesStructured Hiring ProcessesFeedback Processes

About

I’ve worked across multiple different environments - from fast-paced startups to FTSE 250 firms and scaling businesses fresh off their investment rounds. With experience on both the agency and in-house side, I understand recruitment from all angles. But my focus goes beyond just hiring - I’ve also led initiatives across onboarding, performance management, OKRs, and KPI setting to help teams grow with structure. I enjoy building from the ground up, working closely with founders and leaders to create people strategies that actually work at scale.

Experience

Lendo | ليندو

Head of Talent Acquisition

Aug 2024 – Present · 1 yr 8 mos · Riyadh, Saudi Arabia · Hybrid

I joined Lendo as the first Talent Acquisition hire shortly after our $29M Series B, and have since helped scale the business through major milestones, including securing a $690M warehouse facility from J.P. Morgan to fuel SME financing in Saudi Arabia, and a $53M strategic partnership with Jadwa Investment to accelerate our growth and local market presence.
🚀 Key Achievements:
Hired 76 team members across Tech, Product, Cybersecurity, IT, Data, Sales, Marketing, Legal, HR, and Operations
Eliminated agency cost through a direct hiring model
Cut time-to-hire to 29 working days for N-2 and below roles
Reduced counteroffer acceptance by 97%
Built and embedded structured hiring processes, including interview scorecards, recruitment policies, and training for hiring managers
Implemented Lattice as a performance management system, setting company-wide OKRs with Co-Founders
Built and launched mid-year and full-year performance review processes to support structured, fair, and development-focused feedback

Talent AcquisitionPerformance ManagementOnboardingOKRsKPI Setting

Michael page

6 roles

Business Manager - Saudi Arabia

Feb 2024 – Aug 2024 · 6 mos

Brought on to establish a newly developed desk within the Governmental/Semi Governmental in KSA
Billed over 300,000 AED (£65,000) within a 5 month tenure

Manager

Dec 2023 – Feb 2024 · 2 mos

Business Manager

May 2023 – Dec 2023 · 7 mos

Achieved "highflyer" status for both Summer 2023 and Winter 2024
Ranked as the 8th top biller in Page Group London 2023
Averaged a placement every 10.5 days since my first placement in October 2021
Placed 79 Qualified Accountants across various positions within Energy, Oil & Gas, Shipping & Renewables
Assisted in the hiring of two new graduates to Michael Page Finance
Successfully managed two graduates from zero billings to both achieving over £40k in billings within just two quarters whilst also managing a Senior Consultant averaging £70k in billings
Billed over £450k in 2023, achieving 60% growth from the previous year

Managing Consultant

Promoted

Jul 2022 – May 2023 · 10 mos

Achieved "highflyer" status for Winter 2023
Successfully managed a Senior Consultant from average quarterly billings of £40k to consistently billing £60/£70k across 2023
Billed over £280k in 2022
Invited to participate in Managers meetings
Successfully ran numerous candidate driven events to increase Michael Page Finances market reach