MENA Women in Finance Award Launched at Diversity Event

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MENA Women in Finance Award Launched at Diversity Event

A new Middle East & North Africa (MENA) 'Women in Finance' award has actually been launched at an occasion in Dubai which took a look at how companies can motivate higher variety and positive aspect at the same time.

The award initiative was announced by occasion host ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) at their recent occasion with the theme" Lead the change increasing gender diversity to boost performance." Launched in partnership with company info business Naseba, the award will exist by ACCA at Naseba's 10th CFO MENA Strategies Forum in October 2016 and will recognize the contributions made by women finance specialists to effective companies.

Discussing the award, Sophie Le Ray, CEO for Naseba stated "Despite the huge strides that have actually been in the world of diversity, females still only represent 22 percent of corporate management internationally, and studies reveal that they are far less likely to leverage their networks than men. We aim to alter this, and to ensure variety-- not only for moral reasons, but since it makes sound economic sense. Highlighting the accomplishment of female finance experts is yet another step in this direction, and we are pleased to be releasing the Women in Finance award with ACCA.".

The announcement followed a panel discussion hosted to deliver special insights from diversity specialists and successful magnate in organisations that are changing the video game by making gender variety a strategic business important.

The panel discussion included views from Eva Mourino, HR Director-- Middle East & Africa for AstraZeneca; Hoda Abou Jamra, Founding Partner at TVM Capital Healthcare Partners; Mutasem Dajani, Regional Managing Partner at Deloitte UAE; Rachel Ellyard, Talent Leader - Middle East & North Africa at EY; Rana Askoul, Founder of Changing Pink; Samer Hijazi, Partner & Head of Islamic Finance for Grant Thornton UAE; Shabbir Barket Ali, CFO - Middle East & Africa for The Royal Bank of Scotland; Tanguy de Belair, Diversity Manager at Vinci Group; and Tasneem Lakdawalla, Partner-- Advisory Services at KPMG Lower Gulf. The discussion was chaired by Paul Godfrey, among the region's best known editors and analysts on company, present affairs and finance.

The panel concurred that there is having awareness about business effect of gender diversity but whilst the value of gender variety increasingly gains a place on the business program of numerous business running in the country, there is still a long way to go.
Panelists highlighted that gender variety does not happen by osmosis. Information and processes need to be in location to make it occur. As such, it is essential for the finance function and variety management to form a reliable partnership within the organisation. Financing teams can help demonstrate the linkages between good variety management and company performance and can also ensure there is appropriate responsibility and governance attached to Diversity & Inclusion efforts.

Discussion moved to critical success consider company-led gender diversity efforts with the panel identifying understanding of the business case, inclusive leadership and interventions at all critical career points as very essential. Accountability for gender diversity efforts at various hierarchical levels and mentoring opportunities that are not gender neutral were also identified as catalysts to the effective implementation of corporate gender variety efforts.

The event was attended by over 60 CFOs and senior finance professionals in addition to representantives from the Women in Leadership Economic forum and the GCC chapter of the 30 % club.

"Opportunity and variety is at the heart of ACCA's values. Ensuring the value of having ladies in senior functions in company and financing is part of our wider variety agenda. ACCA has actually long campaigned for greater diversity in companies since our research shows that companies which encourage variety are more effective. We explore the obstacles and useful solutions and encourage our members to impact positive modification as they move into leadership roles" stated Lindsay Degouve de Nuncques, head of ACCA Middle East at the closing remarks.

"In the UAE, in addition to offering an exclusive platform for prominent magnate to talk about crucial issues on women in financing, ACCA joins conversations on the gender diversity subject and actively supports other gender diversity forums and efforts in the area." Degouve added.