Dubai, 8 September 2016 – Now looks like an interesting time to nurture and empower the next generation of leaders in the Arab World to create positive change and to tackle the socio-economic challenges ahead, as highlighted during the first Breakfast Forum series conducted by the GCC Board Directors Institute (BDI). 

The UAE has done an excellent job in creating the right environment for the next generation of leaders in the Arab World to flourish, supported by the government’s efforts within Vision 2020 to allow the community to reach its full potential. Just last month, the capital celebrated its Emirati women, recognizing their perceived role and contribution towards the UAE’s development. 

“Through our network of board members we are building powerful thought leaders with the potential to inspire and become role models for the next generation of industry leaders in the Arab World,” said Jane Valls, Executive Director at Board Directors Institute (BDI). “With the introduction of a new Breakfast Forum series we aim to nurture and empower quality board directorship to create a positive impact on business and society, with the hope to add to the country’s numerous success stories.”

“When tackling the tough question of how to overcome the socio-economic challenges in the Arab countries, the answer lies within smart entrepreneurial and leadership thinking,” added Michael Rennie, Head of Global Organization Practice, McKinsey & Company. “Greater awareness around corporate governance among the younger generation in the Arab World especially will help develop a genuine culture of directorship across the GCC, with ripple effect on the region’s economic future.”

As part of BDI’s commitment to strengthen and accelerate board’s professional development and incite a genuine culture of directorship, the organisation has introduced a new Breakfast Forum series, covering different issues connected with Board Governance. The series’ first event at the premises of McKinsey & Company in Dubai brought together several Arab industry leaders who discussed the latest information on global trends and the importance of professional directorship in creating a positive change.  

- ends –

About the GCC Board Directors Institute (BDI)

Launched in 2007, the GCC Board Directors Institute (BDI) is a not-for-profit organization that guides board directors of organizations, from family-owned businesses to listed companies, to acquire the know-how and the tools to reach and sustain effective governance. 

BDI was founded by four leading regional corporations - Investcorp, SABIC, Saudi Aramco and Emirates NBD – and it is supported by five advisory firms: Allen & Overy, Heidrick & 

Struggles, McKinsey & Company, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Hill+Knowlton Strategies, as well as regional regulatory authorities: the Emirates Security and Commodities Authority of the UAE, the Capital Market Authorities of both Saudi Arabia and Oman, the Central Bank of Bahrain and the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority. 

BDI now works with over 700 alumni members who benefit from a network of business leaders and a variety of workshops designed for senior directors. Notably, the Institute hosts an annual Chairman Summit that brings together regional leaders and actors to explore the evolving role and value of Boards as well as appropriate corporate governance standards.

Today the Institute is globally recognized and the only Directors Institute from the region to be admitted to the Global Network of Directors Institute.

We encourage you to visit the Institute's website at www.gccbdi.org to learn more and get involved with the BDI. Or, write to us directly at: getinvolved@gccbdi.org

For media inquiries:

Rusol Tamimi
Senior Account Executive

Phone: + 971 56 401 1463
Email: rusol.tamimi@hkstrategies.com 

Nora Fritzsche
Account Executive

Phone: +971 56 501 7099
Email: nora.fritzsche@hkstrategies.com