Prime Highlight
- Women occupy 15.8% of board positions in the UAE’s listed financial companies, exceeding the national GCC average of 14.8% and demonstrating progress in the sector.
- The report emphasizes that women’s leadership in boardrooms and senior roles strengthens the financial system and supports the UAE’s goals for a diverse, sustainable economy.
Key Facts
- The study reviewed 539 board members across 73 listed financial companies, finding that women hold 85 board seats in total.
- Leadership roles remain limited: only 6% of Chief Risk Officers and 10% of Internal Audit heads are women.
Background
Women hold 15.8% of board positions in the UAE’s listed financial companies, according to a new report released by Heriot-Watt University in cooperation with Grant Thornton. The study shows that women hold 85 board seats in 73 companies, higher than the national average of 14.8% in the 2025 GCC Board Gender Index. The findings highlight stronger progress in the financial sector compared with other industries.
The report, titled “Discovery Series 2025: Women Transforming Financial Services,” analysed financial-year 2025 data from companies listed on the Nasdaq Dubai, Dubai Financial Market, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, and Dubai Financial Market. In total, the study reviewed 539 board members across these platforms.
It also found that few women hold important governance roles. Only three out of 49 companies have a woman serving as Chief Risk Officer, making up just 6% of the total. Additionally, only six companies, or 10%, have a woman leading Internal Audit.
Hisham Farouk, CEO of Grant Thornton UAE, said the country is building a modern economy based on innovation and smart financial practices. He said that giving women more power in boardrooms and senior roles strengthens the overall financial system. Farouk added that the Discovery Series is now a trusted source for measuring progress and guiding supportive policies.
Professor Heather McGregor, Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai, said the report aims to give a clear, evidence-based view of women’s leadership in financial institutions. She noted that the findings highlight women’s important role in governance, risk management, and institutional development.
She added that the data support the UAE’s wider efforts to boost gender balance and create a more diverse, sustainable economy.
