2022 Route to the Top: Middle East companies opt for experienced CEOs amidst market volatility

2022 Route to the Top: Middle East companies opt for experienced CEOs amidst market volatility

- 1 in 2 CEOs in the Middle East have cross border experience (49%) compared to APAC (41%) and the global average (36%)

- However, the region trails behind in gender diversity with only 3% female leaders compared to the global average of 7%

Dubai UAE: — Heidrick & Struggles' (NASDAQ: HSII) 2022 Route to the Top report found UAE CEO appointments went down to 6 in 2021; compared to 10 the year before. This was in line with the overall global outlook, as only 4 markets (Hong Kong, Belgium, Canada and Italy) out of the 25 analyzed saw an increase.

With the relentless events of the past two and a half years delivering shock after shock to companies around the world; companies and leaders are expected more than ever to step up as the ultimate representatives of both their companies and the business sector in general. In the Middle East, Heidrick & Struggles’ found that 89% of CEOs have prior C-suite experience overall, highest globally. In particular, the market is opting for candidates with the prior CEO (54%) and other C-suite experience outside of CFO and COO (71%).

“As the Middle East works to keep up with the increasingly volatile global landscape; businesses