Her Excellency Sheikha Hanadi Bint Nasser Al Thani will host a roundtable event in Qatar focusing on Pearl Initiative's 'Women's Careers in the GCC - The CEO Agenda' report

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. July 6, 2015

Following the appointment of Her Excellency Sheikha Hanadi Bint Nasser Al Thani, Founder and Chairperson of Amwal as a member of the Pearl Initiative Board of Governors, Her Excellency will host a roundtable event in Qatar later this year. The roundtable discussion will focus on 'Women's Careers in the GCC - The CEO Agenda', a breakthrough report conducted by the Pearl Initiative, the leading independent private sector-led, not-for-profit organisation working across the Gulf Region to influence and improve corporate accountability and transparency.

HE Sheikha Hanadi said: "The Pearl Initiative has made significant strides towards establishing our region as an accountable and transparent business hub. This is setting the foundation for future sustainable growth, in which all members of our society are empowered with the ability to contribute to the success of their community, their country and its economy.

"The 'Women's Careers in the GCC - The CEO Agenda' report in particular establishes a strong overview of the role of women in the region's workforce, and highlights the key steps that should be taken by business leaders in order to drive gender inclusiveness at senior levels in organisations. It is a pleasure and privilege to be part of such a compelling cause, which echoes my own sentiments for enabling growth through productive employment and entrepreneurship for all."

"We are honoured to have Her Excellency Sheikha Hanadi join our Board of Governors, and help  lead the drive towards higher business standards," said Imelda Dunlop, Executive Director, Pearl Initiative. "The Pearl Initiative is committed to raising standards of corporate governance, transparency, accountability and integrity, using the example of positive leadership as a crucial element in encouraging positive change.

"Her Excellency Sheikha Hanadi is an influential figure who exemplifies our purpose through her beliefs, her vocational prowess, and her dedication to fostering constructive societal transformation. We look forward to her championing the recommendations of our 'Women's Careers in the GCC - The CEO Agenda' at the upcoming roundtable."

Pearl Initiative's 'Women's Careers in the GCC - The CEO Agenda' was launched at the inaugural Pearl Initiative and United Nations Global Compact regional Forum held in Dubai under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.  It follows a GCC-wide research programme on women in senior management, conducted by the Pearl Initiative in collaboration with United Nations Global Compact and the Sharjah Business Women Council.

The report, supported by Alwaleed bin Talal Foundation, GE, PwC, and Tamer Group, examines the position of women on the corporate ladder across the Region, and seeks to determine what can be done to increase equity in the workplace at senior levels. 

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For more information about Pearl Initiative
Claire Ferris-Lay
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller 
Tel: +971 (0) 4 4507 638
Email: claire.ferrislay@bm.com  

About Pearl Initiative
The Pearl Initiative is the leading independent, not-for-profit, by-business for-business, organisation working across the Gulf Region of the Middle East to influence and improve corporate accountability and transparency.

Pearl Initiative is a regionally-focused growing network of business leaders committed to driving joint action, exhibiting positive leadership and sharing knowledge and experience in order to positively influence the entire regional business and student community towards implementing higher standards in areas such as governance in family firms, diversity in leadership teams, anti-corruption, integrity in the supply chain, corporate reporting and responsible investment.

Originally developed in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Partnerships in 2010, the Pearl Initiative and the United Nations Global Compact drive joint programmes in 2013, as part of their Strategic Partnership, in order to advance the adoption of the "Ten Principles" by the private sector within the Gulf region.

© Press Release 2015