Latest news with #Aurora50
Gulf Business
02-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
GCC board gender diversity rises to 6.8% in 2025, UAE leads with 14.8%
Image: Getty Images The share of women on corporate boards across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) rose to 6.8 per cent in early 2025, up from 5.2 per cent a year earlier, with the UAE leading regional progress at 14.8 per cent, according to the latest GCC Board Gender Index Report released by Heriot-Watt University and Aurora50. The report, now in its second edition, is the only cross-GCC study tracking female representation on the boards of publicly listed companies. It recorded double-digit growth in every country in the region since 2024, based on data from 729 listed companies and 5,535 board seats as of January 2025. How these GCC nations fared in the Board Gender Index Report The UAE registered the strongest performance with 14.8 per cent of board seats (185 of 1,248) held by women, up from 10.8 per cent a year earlier—a 37 per cent increase. Bahrain followed at 8.5 per cent, overtaking Oman, which stood at 6.6 per cent. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar recorded 5.5 per cent, 2.9 per cent, and 2.8 per cent respectively. 'When Aurora50 launched in 2020 with its vision of gender parity on corporate boards, only 3.5 per cent of UAE board seats were held by women,' said Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, director of Aurora50. 'As we mark our fifth anniversary, it is promising to see that figure rise over fourfold and to almost 7 per cent across the region.' The findings reflect growing momentum for gender inclusion in GCC boardrooms, supported by government strategies and public-private collaborations. 'Tracking this progress – as the GCC Board Gender Index does – is key to creating, and bolstering, a strong pipeline of female talent at every level,' Sheikha Shamma added. The report also underscores the role of data transparency and collaboration in fostering long-term gender parity. Heriot-Watt University Dubai and Aurora50 have committed to updating and publishing the index annually until at least 2027, with plans underway for a fully searchable database and additional diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) research initiatives. Professor Dame Heather McGregor, provost and vice principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai, noted: 'The progress we are seeing is promising; year-on-year increase in women's board representation signals real momentum. 'Although there is a lot of work to be done, the UAE has shown significant progress, which is a key step towards gender parity on The full report is available on
Gulf Insider
30-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
UAE Tops Gcc Ranking for Female Representation
The UAE is leading the GCC in terms of representation of women on the boards of public companies, according to a new report released by Heriot-Watt University. The report reveals that all GCC countries have seen year-on-year growth in the representation of women on public company boards, with the UAE topping the list. In the UAE women represent 14.8 per cent, 185 out of 1,248 board seats, compared to 10.8 per cent in 2024, marking a 37 per cent increase. The report, launched in collaboration with Aurora50, is the second edition of the 'GCC Board Gender Index' and reveals a doubling of women's representation on boards since 2024. As of January 2025, the per centage stood at 6.8 per cent, compared to 5.2 per cent the previous year — or 379 out of 5,535 board seats across 729 public companies in the region. According to the report UAE: 14.8 per cent (185 out of 1,248 board seats) Bahrain: 8.5 per cent (30 out of 353 seats) Oman: 6.6 per cent (56 of 849 seats) Kuwait: 5.5 per cent (52 of 946 seats) Saudi Arabia: 2.9 per cent (53 of 1,809 seats) Qatar: 2.8 per cent (13 of 459 seats) The report, published annually each April, serves as a regional benchmark and analytical tool to track trends, challenges, and opportunities in achieving gender balance on boards, amid growing commitments to inclusive governance practices among public companies in the GCC. Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Director of Aurora50, said: 'When Aurora50 launched in 2020 with a vision to achieve gender balance on boards, just 3.5 per cent of board seats in the UAE were held by women. 'As we celebrate our fifth anniversary, it is encouraging to see this number rise more than fourfold to 14.8 per cent — and close to 7 per cent region-wide — highlighting the impact of our collective efforts. 'Tracking this progress through the Board Gender Index is vital to building and sustaining a strong pipeline of female talent at all levels. Our second report with Heriot-Watt University Dubai supports the drive for gender balance not only in the UAE but across the entire GCC. 'In line with the vision of the UAE leadership, Aurora50 remains committed to paving clear pathways for women to reach board positions, ensuring diverse and inclusive representation across our institutions. This remarkable transformation in just five years affirms the UAE's global leadership in gender balance.' Professor Heather McGregor, Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai, said: 'Since moving to the UAE in 2022, I've continued my research into gender balance on public company boards, with a focus on the GCC. As Heriot-Watt marks 20 years in Dubai this year, we are proud to continue our partnership with Aurora50 on this important initiative. 'The UAE's notable progress represents a crucial step towards achieving gender parity on boards. Through our collaboration with Aurora50, I remain committed to tracking this evolution and providing credible data to support continued advancement.' Also read: UAE to Launch Dirham-backed Stablecoin
Leaders
29-04-2025
- Business
- Leaders
GCC Board Gender Diversity Records Steady Progress Since 2024
Heriot-Watt University and Aurora50 have today, April 29, unveiled the 'GCC Board Gender Index Report 2025', according to Aurora50. The report marks the second edition of this landmark publication after the inaugural 'GCC Board Gender Index Report 2024'. The 2025 edition provides readers with thorough insights and analysis of women's representation on the boards of publicly listed companies in the GCC. Mainly, researchers collect data annually and release reports in April each year. Through these reports, researchers can accurately identify opportunities and challenges to boost gender diversity in boardrooms. Report's Key Findings Women Representation Women's board representation in the GCC increased to 6.8% as of January 2025, compared to 5.2% in 2024. Since 2024, the representation of women on the boards of publicly listed companies has increased in each GCC country year on year. The UAE leads female representation with 14.8% of board seats held by women, up from 10.8% in 2024 (a 37% increase). Bahrain has exceeded Oman since 2024 as the GCC country with the second-highest percentage of women on boards. Country-wise Representation Here is the percentage of board positions led by women at publicly listed companies across the GCC: UAE: 14.8% (185 of 1,248 seats) Bahrain: 8.5% (30 of 353 seats) Oman: 6.6% (56 of 849 seats) Kuwait: 5.5% (52 of 946 seats) Saudi Arabia: 2.9% (53 of 1,809 seats) Qatar: 2.8% (13 of 459 seats) Importantly, women held 379 (6.8%) of the 5,535 board seats in 729 publicly listed companies across the GCC. This remarkable growth stands as a testament to women's continued progress toward inclusive leadership. Meanwhile, the UAE's noticeable progress from 2024 reflects a growing recognition among publicly listed companies of the significance of gender parity in boardrooms. Remarks of Aurora50's Director Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Director of Aurora50 Upon the launch of the GCC Board Gender Index 2025, HH Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Director of Aurora50, commented 'When Aurora50 launched in 2020 with its vision of gender parity on corporate boards, only 3.5% of UAE board seats were held by women. As we mark our fifth anniversary, it is promising to see that figure rise over fourfold (to 14.8%) and to almost 7% across the region, highlighting the impact of our collective efforts.' Al Nahyan also noted the importance of tracking this progress as a key to creating, and bolstering, a strong pipeline of female talent at every level. 'Our second report with Heriot-Watt University Dubai helps advance gender balance not just in the UAE, but across the GCC as a whole,' she added. In addition, she stressed Aurora50's dedication to paving clear paths for women to step into board positions, ensuring fundamentally diverse and balanced gender representation in our nation's organizations. 'This dramatic shift in just five years reaffirms the UAE's role as a global leader in gender balance,' Al Nahyan said. Comments of Heriot-Watt University's Vice Principal Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai, Professor Dame Heather McGregor Meanwhile, Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai, Professor Dame Heather McGregor, said, 'Since moving to the UAE in 2022, I have continued my work in research into gender balance on public company boards, with a focus on the GCC region. As Heriot-Watt University celebrates its 20th anniversary in Dubai this year, we are proud to continue our collaboration with Aurora50 on this important work.' McGregor described the current progress as 'promising' noting that year-on-year growth in women's board representation signals real momentum. Although there is a lot of work to be done, the UAE has shown significant progress, which is a key step towards gender parity on boards. 'Along with Aurora50, I am committed to tracking this shift and providing reliable data that supports further advancement. It is encouraging to see the region moving in the right direction, and I look forward to continuing this crucial work,' she added. Looking ahead, researchers will continue to update and publish the reports each year until at least 2027 and other DEI research projects are expected to progress in parallel. Heriot-Watt University Dubai Heriot-Watt University Dubai has gained a great reputation for world-class teaching and practical research as the first British university to establish a campus in 2005. The university provides a vast array of programmes and disciplines, spanning postgraduate and undergraduate courses. In the light of this, its graduates are highly employable and sought after by the best organizations worldwide. Aurora50 As a DEI impact agency, Aurora50 encourages inclusive workplaces and diverse leadership. It is also building a network of allies through strong connections and community. Pathway is Aurora50's powerful 12-week board accelerator for busy executives: the boardroom launchpad for influential GCC women. The pathway has been running since 2020. It will welcome the next cohort in Q4 2025. Related Topics: Prince Sultan University Leads AI Innovation, Women Empowerment Saudi Arabia Tops Global Rankings in Empowering Women in AI Saudi Women Participation in Workforce Hits 36.2% Short link : Post Views: 72
Arabian Business
29-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
UAE tops GCC ranking for female representation on company boards
The UAE is leading the GCC in terms of representation of women on the boards of public companies, according to a new report released by Heriot-Watt University. The report reveals that all GCC countries have seen year-on-year growth in the representation of women on public company boards, with the UAE topping the list. In the UAE women represent 14.8 per cent, 185 out of 1,248 board seats, compared to 10.8 per cent in 2024, marking a 37 per cent increase. UAE female representation in business The report, launched in collaboration with Aurora50, is the second edition of the 'GCC Board Gender Index' and reveals a doubling of women's representation on boards since 2024. As of January 2025, the per centage stood at 6.8 per cent, compared to 5.2 per cent the previous year — or 379 out of 5,535 board seats across 729 public companies in the region. According to the report UAE: 14.8 per cent (185 out of 1,248 board seats) Bahrain: 8.5 per cent (30 out of 353 seats) Oman: 6.6 per cent (56 of 849 seats) Kuwait: 5.5 per cent (52 of 946 seats) Saudi Arabia: 2.9 per cent (53 of 1,809 seats) Qatar: 2.8 per cent (13 of 459 seats) The report, published annually each April, serves as a regional benchmark and analytical tool to track trends, challenges, and opportunities in achieving gender balance on boards, amid growing commitments to inclusive governance practices among public companies in the GCC. Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Director of Aurora50, said: 'When Aurora50 launched in 2020 with a vision to achieve gender balance on boards, just 3.5 per cent of board seats in the UAE were held by women. 'As we celebrate our fifth anniversary, it is encouraging to see this number rise more than fourfold to 14.8 per cent — and close to 7 per cent region-wide — highlighting the impact of our collective efforts. 'Tracking this progress through the Board Gender Index is vital to building and sustaining a strong pipeline of female talent at all levels. Our second report with Heriot-Watt University Dubai supports the drive for gender balance not only in the UAE but across the entire GCC. 'In line with the vision of the UAE leadership, Aurora50 remains committed to paving clear pathways for women to reach board positions, ensuring diverse and inclusive representation across our institutions. This remarkable transformation in just five years affirms the UAE's global leadership in gender balance.' Professor Heather McGregor, Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai, said: 'Since moving to the UAE in 2022, I've continued my research into gender balance on public company boards, with a focus on the GCC. As Heriot-Watt marks 20 years in Dubai this year, we are proud to continue our partnership with Aurora50 on this important initiative. 'The UAE's notable progress represents a crucial step towards achieving gender parity on boards. Through our collaboration with Aurora50, I remain committed to tracking this evolution and providing credible data to support continued advancement.'
Hi Dubai
29-04-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
UAE Leads GCC in Boosting Women's Representation on Public Company Boards
The United Arab Emirates has emerged as the regional frontrunner in advancing boardroom gender diversity, with women now holding 14.8 percent of board seats in public companies — a 37 percent jump from 2024, according to the latest GCC Board Gender Index by Heriot-Watt University in partnership with Aurora50. Released in April 2025, the report highlights a significant shift across the Gulf, with all six GCC countries recording year-on-year growth in female representation on boards. The region-wide average now stands at 6.8 percent, up from 5.2 percent in 2024 — effectively doubling since Aurora50 launched its initiative in 2020, when women held just 3.5 percent of board roles in the UAE. The UAE tops the index with 185 of 1,248 board seats occupied by women, followed by Bahrain at 8.5 percent, Oman at 6.6 percent, Kuwait at 5.5 percent, Saudi Arabia at 2.9 percent, and Qatar at 2.8 percent. H.H. Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Director of Aurora50, called the progress 'a remarkable transformation,' noting the fourfold increase in the UAE and emphasizing the importance of data-driven efforts to build a sustainable talent pipeline. Professor Heather McGregor, Provost of Heriot-Watt University Dubai, echoed this sentiment, underscoring the UAE's role in driving change and the need for consistent tracking to support continued progress. The annual report, part of a multi-year research initiative running through 2027, aims to provide actionable insights and a searchable database to help advance diversity and inclusion across the region's boardrooms. News Source: Emirates News Agency
