Heriot-Watt University and Grant Thornton today published a detailed report on the representation of women in senior leadership roles across the UAE’s financial services sector. Entitled ‘Discovery Series 2025: Women transforming financial services’, the importance of this report lies in its role as an evidence-based benchmark for gender representation within one of the UAE’s most influential economic sectors. As the second edition of The Discovery Series, this report builds on the momentum of the 2024 report by deepening the analysis, expanding the scope of the data, and reinforcing the critical contributions women are making at board and senior leadership levels.

The report highlights the contributions of senior female leaders across the UAE’s banks, investment firms, insurance and fintech companies, including board directors, Chief Risk Officers, and Heads of Internal Audit. As the UAE continues to build a resilient, diversified economy and reduce its reliance on oil, the financial services sector plays a crucial role in driving non-oil Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and strengthening governance.

In 2024, the UAE’s economy grew by 4% to AED 1.77 trillion, with the non-oil sector accounting for more than three-quarters of the GDP.  Among key drivers of this growth is the financial industry, which contributed around 13.2% to the economy. Within the sector, risk and control functions, led by Chief Risk Officers (CRO) and Heads of Internal Audit (HIA), are essential to safeguarding its integrity and enabling sustainable growth. Women’s participation in these key areas not only enhances organisational resilience but also supports the national agenda for a balanced, transparent, and well-regulated financial system. The 2025 Discovery Series: Women transforming financial services report highlights both the representation of women in these pivotal roles and the opportunity to champion and accelerate women’s leadership across risk, audit, and control functions, thereby reinforcing the UAE’s long-term economic transformation.

The report, led by Professor Dame Heather McGregor, Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai, includes research analysing board and leadership data from the 2025 financial year across 73 publicly listed financial sector companies in the UAE. The report captures data on 539 board members across three main stock exchanges in the UAE: Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), Dubai Financial Market (DFM), and Nasdaq Dubai.

Key findings from this report are as follows:

• As of 1 September 2025, a total of 539 board members were identified by name and gender.
• Of the 539 listed board positions in the financial services sector, 85 (15.8%) are taken by women. This is higher than the UAE-wide average of 14.8% across all sectors, according to the 2025 GCC

Board Gender Index, highlighting that the financial sector is slightly ahead in advancing women’s representation at the board level.

• Eight (11%) of the 73 companies have no woman on their board, indicating that while progress has been made across the sector, gender representation remains uneven.
• Out of 49 identified companies, only three (around 6%) have a female CRO, highlighting a gap in female representation in leadership roles in the risk function and the need for proactive measures and greater accountability.
• Of the 60 companies where the HIA has been named, six (10%) have a female HIA, underscoring the need to strengthen gender balance within control functions.

Commenting on the release of the 2025 Discovery Series: Women transforming financial services, Hisham Farouk, CEO of Grant Thornton UAE said, “The UAE’s story is one of intentional progress – building a world class, innovation led economy with finance at its core. From capital markets and Islamic finance to a fast maturing fintech ecosystem and robust digital infrastructure, the financial sector is powering diversification, attracting global investment and creating skilled jobs. Yet true leadership is measured not only by growth, but by the prosperity of its people.”

“The Discovery Series is a benchmark designed to help industry, regulators and boards track progress and actively close the leadership representation gap. We are thrilled to partner with Heriot-Watt University Dubai on this report, which highlights both the progress made and the work still ahead to ensure women have equal opportunity to lead,” he added.

Emma Smalls, UAE Head of Business Risk Private Bank at HSBC Middle East, said, “The Discovery Series 2025 highlights both the progress and the opportunities that lie ahead for gender-balanced leadership in the UAE’s financial services sector. While we celebrate the growing representation of women on boards and in senior roles, this report also showcases the need for continued focus on inclusive leadership across the ecosystem. By shining a light on organisations and individuals leading the way, we hope to inspire further action and accelerate the journey toward truly diverse and resilient governance.”

Professor Dame Heather McGregor, Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai, said, “Our intention in publishing the 2025 Discovery Series: Women transforming financial services was to provide a clear, evidence-based picture of gender representation at senior levels in the UAE financial sector. In partnership with Grant Thornton UAE, we aim to shed light on how women are shaping governance, risk, and reform from within, and to identify the organisations setting the benchmark for inclusive leadership. As one of the most progressive sectors in the UAE, the financial industry has a significant responsibility to champion gender equity.”

“The findings aim to bring clarity, transparency and evidence-based visibility to a topic where strong sentiment exists, but accurate data is often lacking. The Chief Risk Officers and Heads of Internal Audit are an essential part of any financial organisation, and this study provides facts to inform action and change”, she added.

2025 Discovery Series: Women transforming financial services, can be accessed here. Through this series, Grant Thornton and Heriot-Watt University hope to examine gender representation at senior levels in the sector, capturing both quantitative data and qualitative narratives, and providing sector-specific insights into how women are shaping governance, risk and reform from within.

Georgia’s capital Tbilisi is gearing up to host the Global Investors Forum (GIF 2025), one of the world’s leading economic platforms designed to strengthen cooperation between GCC countries and Eurasia through a unified investment ecosystem that accelerates growth, deepens economic ties, and expands cross-border investment opportunities.

GIF 2025 is organised in strategic partnership with EurAsia Gulf and the International Chamber of Commerce in Georgia (ICC Georgia), with AGI Holding serving as the main partner. The forum is also supported by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and, Embassy of Georgia to the UAE, and the Hong Kong–Middle East Business Chamber.

The forum, a premier investment platform, is a major international gathering that connects global capital with promising investment opportunities across the world. Through a unified investment ecosystem, GIF brings together governments, investors, and international economic institutions under a shared vision of collaboration and sustainable growth.

The two-day event will include panel discussions, investment showcases, and high-level business matchmaking sessions, bringing together more than 1,500 participants, 70 institutional investors, and 50 international speakers from over 40 countries. Taking place from 4 to 5 December 2025, GIF 2025 will focus on five key sectors: sustainability and technology, tourism, digital assets and securitisation, real estate and infrastructure, agricultural technology (Agri-tech) and food security.

The forum, marking a major economic turning point for Georgia and the wider region, will witness the launch of strategic partnerships and the signing of major international Memoranda of Understanding between government and private investment institutions from various Arab and foreign countries, including the GCC countries. These agreements aim to create cross-border financing and cooperation channels in vital sectors such as clean energy, sustainable technologies, medical tourism, smart infrastructure, and digital agriculture as key areas for investment.

The event will feature high-profile participation from leading international economic figures, including H.E. Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Consultative Council (UAE); H.E. Hamid Mohammed bin Salem, Secretary-General of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FCCI UAE); With the attendance of H.E Aisha Mohammed Saeed Al Mulla, Chairwoman of the UAE Businesswomen Council, along with a delegation from the Council; Dr Taysir Al Khunaizi, Partner and Deputy CEO of the Georgia Saudi Investment Corporation; and Dr Sadeddine Mneimne, Chairman of AGI Holding and Founder of the Global Investors Forum.

Also taking part are a distinguished group of global leaders, among them Aref bin Ali Al Abbar, President of the Hobbies Club in the United Arab Emirates, and Arif Anis, internationally recognised leadership expert and recipient of the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE); John W.H. Denton, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Commerce; Chamas Awad, Founder and CEO of Euro Gulf Consulting and adviser to the Belgian Royal Family; and Hani Idris, Board Member of the International Development Bank (IDB).

They will be joined by senior investors, ministers, and heads of major economic institutions, sovereign wealth funds and multinational corporations, as well as delegations from more than 40 countries, all convening under the theme: “Bridges Between Continents – From the GCC to Eurasia: Investing in the Future of Global Prosperity.”

Speaking on the occasion, His Excellency Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Consultative Council – UAE, said: “The links between investment and sustainability are growing stronger amid rising global risks such as climate change, and resource depletion. By integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, investors are seeking to reduce their exposure to volatile assets and strengthen long-term resilience. Green technologies, renewable energy, and nature-positive infrastructure have become increasingly attractive areas for capital, while AI-driven tools now support climate scenario modelling and help optimise investment portfolios. Sustainability is no longer merely an ethical choice; it has become a financial strategy for navigating environmental uncertainty.”

He added that the international forum aligns with the needs of the future, bringing together investors, decision-makers, policymakers, and academics under one roof to demonstrate the world’s ability to adapt and navigate all these mounting challenges.

Dr Sadeddine Mneimne, Founder of the Global Investors Forum and Chairman of AGI Holding, said: “The Global Investors Forum is not just a conference, it is a strategic economic platform reshaping the map of global cooperation by connecting the GCC with Eurasia through a unified framework for investment and partnership.” He underscored as saying as: “The upcoming edition of the forum in Tbilisi will mark a pivotal turning point in strengthening economic integration between East and West. It will catalyse a new wave of cross-border investments and open unprecedented opportunities for global capital. The forum aims to foster long-term partnerships between governments, international institutions, and the private sector, reinforcing global economic cooperation and redefining the investment landscape across the region.”

Arif Anis, recipient of the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), said: “It is a great honour to participate as a keynote speaker at the Global Investors Forum 2025, at a time when global capital is experiencing significant turbulence, with foreign direct investment slowing and funding for vital projects declining by 26%. This is precisely why Dr Sadeddine Mneimne’s vision stands out as exceptional, he is not simply organising a conference but boldly confronting an unsettled economic reality with clarity and bravery.

He added: “The GIF will explore the future of global finance, as 130 countries move towards digital currencies, alongside the accelerating artificial intelligence revolution, which has attracted 37% of global investment capital.  The forum will bring together more than 1,000 industry leaders at precisely the right time and in the right place, to launch through the major conversations that will shape the decade ahead.”

John W.H. Denton, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Commerce, said: “In a time of uncertainty and disruption, the private sector has a critical role to play in driving the investments that help economies and communities thrive. As the voice of business representing over 45 million companies across 170 countries, our mission to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere has never been more urgent.”

The forum represents a significant step forward in advancing international cooperation between emerging markets and global investors. By hosting GIF 2025, Georgia aims to reinforce the importance of economic collaboration in connecting the Middle East with Europe and Central Asia. UAE-Georgia economic relations have been experiencing rapid growth, with both countries enjoying increasing trade and investment flows in recent years, supported by major investment agreements exceeding USD 6 billion in development and infrastructure projects. Recent data shows that the UAE now accounts for more than 63 percent of Georgia’s total trade with Arab countries, while its investments in Georgia represent 5 percent of its total foreign trade investment (FDI), placing the UAE as Georgia’s sixth-largest global investor.

GIF 2025 is expected to yield a series of major investment agreements valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, with a strong emphasis on advancing green projects and financing innovation in renewable energy and digital infrastructure. These anticipated outcomes will further solidify the UAE’s position as a global economic hub connecting GCC markets with Europe and Asia and strengthen its influential presence within the new global economic landscape.

With a strategic foothold in the UAE, global financial players are tailoring platforms, Sharia-compliant solutions, and tech-driven experiences to meet the region’s evolving trading demands.

Here is an exclusive interview with Pavel Spirin, Chief Growth Officer, Rostro Group.

Scope Markets is planning to expand into the UAE. What strategic importance does this region hold for your global operations?

The UAE plays a key role in our global strategy. While the population may be relatively small at around 10 million, the country is a gateway into the wider MENA region, where we see strong and growing demand for financial services. We’ve already received provisional approval from the Securities and Commodities Authority and are in the final stages of securing our full license. This market allows us to bring decision-making closer to our regional clients and establish a meaningful presence in a fast-growing financial hub.

How is Scope Markets differentiating itself in the highly competitive UAE financial services and trading space?

We’re focused on building products and experiences that genuinely reflect what clients here want. That means offering Sharia-compliant and swap-free account options, streamlining transactions to ensure instant deposits and withdrawals, and optimizing our platforms for mobile use. We’re also committed to being fully licensed and regulated in the UAE, which we believe is essential for building trust. Ultimately, our goal is to provide a responsive and tech-forward experience tailored to the unique needs of traders in this region.

What has been your experience working within the UAE’s regulatory frameworks, and how do you view the country’s role as a global financial hub?

Our experience with the Securities and Commodities Authority has been very constructive. The regulatory process is clear and well-structured, which gives firms like ours confidence in long-term planning. We’re currently finalizing our licensing and taking the required regulatory exams. What stands out to us is how fast the UAE has developed its financial infrastructure. It’s building frameworks for crypto, fintech, and online trading at a pace we haven’t seen elsewhere, and that positions the country as an increasingly important global financial center.

How are you tailoring your offerings, platforms, or services to better serve traders and investors in the UAE and the wider GCC region?

We’re building out our product range and services to reflect the regional demand for asset classes like gold, along with culturally aligned features such as Sharia-compliant accounts. We’ve also seen that mobile-first experiences, fast execution, and automation are priorities for traders here, so those are central to our platform development. On the service side, we’re looking to establish regional support functions to make sure our clients in the UAE and GCC are well served and engaged.

What major trends do you see shaping the future of online trading and fintech in the Middle East, and how is Scope Markets positioned to respond to them?

We’re seeing rapid growth in mobile-first fintech adoption, a strong push for automation, and increased regulatory clarity in areas like crypto. Traders are becoming more sophisticated and expect seamless user experiences, fast payments, and localized features. There’s also strong interest in diversification, particularly in gold, which continues to attract attention due to global uncertainty. We’re positioning ourselves to meet these needs through tech development, regulatory compliance, and regional product adaptation so we can evolve with the market.

What message would you like to share with your UAE-based clients and stakeholders about Scope Markets’ long-term plans in this market?

We’re here for the long term. We’re committed to being fully licensed, transparent, and responsive to the needs of traders in the UAE. This includes delivering regionally relevant products, building local infrastructure, and continuing to invest in the tools and technology that matter to our clients. Our aim is to support traders with a platform that’s reliable, compliant, and built around how people in this market want to trade.