Most Powerful Arab Women 2015: Laying the foundations for future generations

Forbes Middle East has unveiled the names of its Most Powerful Arab Women for 2015 at a glittering awards ceremony that shone a light on some of the region’s most influential and accomplished leaders.

The impressive event recognized the achievements of women in reaching the top of their fields in business and government and, in doing so, working towards a fairer and more equal working environment across the Middle East.

Some of the awardees present at the awards ceremony included Mona Almoayyed, Managing Director of YK Almoayyed & Sons Bahrain, Marwa El Ayouti, CFO, Vodafone Egypt; Maitha Al Dossari, CEO Emmar Retail UAE; Sana Khater, CFO, Waha Capital Lebanon; Randa Bessiso, Founding Director, Middle East, Manchester Business School, University of Manchester; Shaikha Al Maskari, Chair, Al Maskari Holdings UAE; and Amna BinHendi, Deputy Chair, BinHendi Group UAE.

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi – Minister of International Cooperation and Development, UAE; Nemat (Minouche) Shafik – Deputy Governor, Bank of England from Egypt; Lubna S. Olayan CEO Olayan Financing, Saudi Arabia; and Raja Easa Al Gurg, Managing Director Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, UAE also feature on the Forbes list – “The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women”.

For its third annual ranking Forbes Middle East revealed three listings. Two that focus on the worlds of business and government, and one that looks beyond our borders to acknowledge those making a difference across the globe. The full lists are published in the September issue of the magazine, celebrating the expertise, determination and enterprise of every one of these remarkable women.

And Egypt continues to lead the pack, with 18% of entries overall across all three rankings, including Nashwa Al Ruwaini, CEO at Pyramedia.  Nashwa appeared on Qatari radio and TV before launching her own media company in 1998.

Egypt was closely followed by Lebanon and the UAE, both with 14% of the overall entries. These included Maitha Al Dossari, CEO of Emaar Retail, whose portfolio includes the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Dubai Ice Rink, KidZania®, SEGA Republic, and Reel Cinemas. Also Kawthar Makahlah, CEO of BCI Group, a leading supplier of wholesale beauty products with eight subsidiaries across the GCC and 260 employees.

60% of the most powerful business women hold executive management positions, with another 24% having worked their way up to the top of their family business. For example Mona Almoayyed, Managing Director of YK Almoayyed & Sons and former head of the Bahrain Business Women’s Society, leads more than 2,000 people and represents over 300 brands.

Out of the outstanding top 100 line-up over half are working in the banking, investment and finance, and diversified sectors and there are 16 founders, including Maha Al-Ghunaim of Kuwait, who co-founded Global Investment House in 1998, which went on to become the first Kuwaiti firm to list on the London Stock Exchange.

Mrs. Khuloud Al Omian, Editor-in-Chief, Forbes Middle East, said: “We at Forbes Middle East are very proud to have honored the successes and positions of the most powerful Arab women for the third consecutive year. By doing this we highlight the incredible achievements being made across our region. The Middle East still has some way to go to reach true equality in the workplace. By celebrating the women that are smashing through the glass ceilings and paving the way for future generations, we are throwing our support wholeheartedly behind them and encouraging all women to strive for their goals and aspirations, no matter what they may be.”

Forbes Middle East proudly collaborated with a number of valued partners, including leading luxury retailer Paris Gallery, contemporary luxury hotel The Oberoi Dubai, travel and tourism company ITL World, Rasasi Perfumes, leading fragrance company in the Middle East, regional spices producer Arab & India Spices, art foundation ART UAE, eminent chocolate house Forrey and Galland, television partner DubaiLife TV and exclusive radio partner Hayat FM 95.6.

At a glance – by country

EGYPT

Most entries overall at 22 (18%)

• The most entries for the top 100 list: 18 (18%)
• The most entries in the top 10 government list: 2 (20%)
• Two entries in the top 10 world list: 20%

LEBANON

Equal second highest number of entries at 17 (14%)

• The most entries for the top 10 world list: 4 (40%)
• Third most entries for the top 100 list: 13 (13%)

UAE

Equal second highest number of entries at 17 (14%)

• Second most entries for the top 100 list: 15 (15%)
• Two entries in the top 10 government list: 20%

KUWAIT

Third highest number of entries at 13 (10%)

• Fourth most entries for the top 100 list: 12 (12%)
• One entry in the top 10 government list: 10%

JORDAN

Fourth highest number of entries at 11 (9%)

• Fifth most entries for the top 100 list: 9 (9%)
• Two entries in the top 10 government list: 20%

MOROCCO

Fifth highest number of entries at 8 (6%)

• Six entries for the top 100 list: 6%
• Two entries in the top 10 world list: 20%

OMAN

7 entries overall

• Six entries for the top 100 list: 6%
• One entry in the top 10 government list: 10%

SAUDI ARABIA

6 entries overall

• Six entries for the top 100 list: 6%

BAHRAIN

5 entries overall

• Five entries for the top 100 list: 5%

QATAR

5 entries overall

• Four entries for the top 100 list: 5%
• One entry for the top 10 government list: 10%

PALESTINE

3 entries overall

• Three entries for the top 100 list: 3%

SYRIA

3 entries overall

• Two entries for the top 100 list: 2%
• One entry for the top 10 world list: 10%

TUNISA

• One entry for the top 100 list: 1%

ALGERIA

• One entry for the top 10 government list: 10%

IRAQ

• One entry for the top 10 world list: 10%